It Started with a Promise — and Two Rooms
In 2018, in a small two-room apartment in Bârlad, Romania, The Delia Foundation opened its doors to children the world had overlooked. Today, we serve dozens — and we're just getting started.
Who We Are
The Delia Foundation, a U.S. 501(c)(3), was formed in 2017 by Laura Larkin, with Lauren Fishbach joining as U.S. Board President.
Laura and Lauren met volunteering with Global Volunteers at the Bârlad, Romania Children's Hospital. The children they had worked with as babies were growing up — but they weren't attending school. There was no opportunity for education, no access to life-changing therapies, and no path forward.
The Foundation was started to change that — to assist disabled and orphaned children by creating opportunities and providing the support that didn't exist in their community.
They were joined by David Conway of the UK, who has arranged medical care for children in Vaslui County for 30+ years, including bringing UK doctors to repair cleft palates and other congenital defects. Together, they created Delia's Center for Special Needs Children.
A History Built on Love
The Delia Foundation is officially formed as a U.S. 501(c)(3) by Laura Larkin, with Lauren Fishbach as Board President and David Conway of the UK joining the mission.
Delia's Center for Special Needs Children opens its doors in a small two-room apartment in Bârlad, Romania — the first and only center of its kind in the area.
The center grows, serving more children with tutoring, speech therapy, art therapy, yoga, and daily meals. Partnerships form with Ora Kinderhilfe and GlobalGiving.
The Delia Foundation is awarded a United States Medal of Recognition for its contribution to the communities it serves.
The Joy Kit program launches — delivering sensory kits to children in foster care with special needs in Arizona, while continuing to expand services at Delia's Center in Bârlad. One gift, two continents.
The 150 Chairs campaign launches — a mission to recruit 150 monthly Joy Partners at $35/month to fully sustain Delia's Center.
Two Continents, One Mission
Our work spans two countries — with a full-day center in Romania and Joy Kit outreach in Arizona.
Delia's Center — Bârlad, Romania
The only center of its kind in the region. In Bârlad, there are no special education classes — children with disabilities are placed in mainstream schools with zero accommodations. They fall behind, drop out, and face growing risks as they age.
Delia's Center fills that gap with daily, specialized support:
Joy Kit Outreach — Arizona, USA
In Arizona, we deliver sensory-friendly Joy Kits to children in foster care with special needs. These kits are filled with tactile toys, storybooks, fidgets, and creative supplies — tools to calm, comfort, and inspire.
Every $35 Joy Kit gift sends two kits — one to a child in Arizona, and one to a child at Delia's Center in Romania. One gift, two continents.
United States Medal of Recognition
In December 2020, The Delia Foundation was awarded a U.S. Medal of Recognition for our contribution to the communities we serve — honoring the impact of our work across continents.
Meet the Women Behind the Mission
Laura Larkin
Co-Founder & Executive DirectorA lifelong volunteer, Laura served as a U.S. Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children and volunteered at the Bârlad Children's Hospital for eight years. She is a successful entrepreneur at the intersection of health and technology, having co-founded healthcare and senior assisted living companies. Previously, Laura had a 20-year career as a Senior Technology Specialist with the City of Phoenix. Certified as a holistic nutritionist and instructor of Yoga for the Special Needs Child, her integrative approach is essential to the programs at Delia's Center.
Lauren Fishbach
Co-Founder & Board PresidentLauren has been a volunteer and advocate for special needs children in Vaslui County, Romania, for 14+ years, initially with Global Volunteers at the Tutova Pediatric Clinic and Bârlad Children's Hospital. She brings deep experience in organizational planning, staffing, and corporate marketing. Lauren is a Career Advisor to young adults and previously was a consultant to leading publishing companies as Senior Vice President of Bert Davis Executive Search. Earlier, she was Director of Global Marketing with McGraw-Hill/Standard & Poor's.
Meet the Board
Kyle Arney
Mihaela Vrinceanu Cirjontu
Brayden Sherman-Pafford
Our Romanian Staff
The heart of Delia's Center beats because of these dedicated professionals who show up for the children every single day.
Join the Mission That
Started with Two Rooms
What began in a tiny apartment now changes lives every day. Your support makes it possible — fill a chair, send a Joy Kit, or share our story.
"We can't change every story — but we can make every child's story worth remembering."— The Delia Foundation