Lauren and Gary Ludwig’s hearts ache for children in need which is why they give back to their community by fostering children in need of loving homes. While they provide a safe environment for these children, they also work with the foster children’s parents and support them on their path to self-improvement.
Lauren hails from Hebron and attended Hebron High School. She began working as a document imaging specialist at Alverno Laboratories before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Gary attended Merrillville High School and received a Business Management degree from Purdue and Ivy Tech. Currently, Gary works as a manager over the MIS department at Alverno Laboratories.
The Ludwig’s family have offered unconditional support throughout their lives. As Lauren worked part-time at a local bank, she found the time to follow her dream of writing a novel: Blackbird of Willow Creek. Her historical romance story follows a young settler’s daughter and Native American boy who met by chance, grew up together, and fell in love. Lauren self-published on Amazon in 2015 and plans to continue adding to the Blackbird series.
“My three sisters have been my biggest fans,” Ludwig said. “It was so cool to have them read and review the book. They’ve been through anything and everything with my husband and me. We’re so blessed to have them.”
As well as encouraging Ludwig to pursue her dream of being an author, her family also supported and inspired Lauren and Gary’s dream of fostering children in need.
“My parents have always been an open door. My friends consider my mom their second mom, she’s just so loving and caring,” Ludwig said. “There’s sometimes a stigma against foster kids, but my parents have been so incredible because they recognize that all kids need love, no matter what.”
Gary and Lauren reached their decision to foster because they saw an immediate need for responsible foster parents in their area, and they decided they wanted to be a part of that.
“We have a big home and there are so many kids in need,” Lauren said. “I feel it’s almost selfish of us not to help, not to do something when there are so many families in crisis and bad situations.”
While Gary and Lauren foster primarily to help children who would otherwise be in unsafe environments, they also work with the parents to ensure that they are getting the help they need as well.
“Everything that we do affects somebody else,” Ludwig said. “You’ll never meet someone who’s not going through something. It’s amazing to be able to support people going through tough times.”
Gary and Lauren have fostered three separate placements since they’ve began their mission to help children in need. While their ultimate goal is to eventually adopt, they plan on fostering for quite a while.
“Adopting is amazing and wonderful, but I feel right now there are a lot of kids out there that need help, and there’s more that we can do,” Lauren said. “We enjoy helping and knowing that when the children go back home, they’re in a safe environment. Their parents have turned around and started anew.”