a little about us

It all started in a small 2-room apartment in 2018.

Who we are

We have a history of working for change and expanding strategically to achieve our mission. With more than two-thirds of children struggling in one way or another, our founders realized that increased awareness and access to Holistic Wellness programs and services could drastically change lives. Today, our passionate team is putting all hands on deck to make a real difference.

A group of people posing in front of a large mural depicting a rural landscape with mountains and trees. The individuals are dressed in casual attire and appear to be cheerful, standing and crouching close together in an indoor setting with a tiled floor.

Our Mission Video

The Delia Foundation, 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 Barlad, Romania Children’s Hospital. The children they worked with as babies were growing up and did not attend school. They had no opportunity for education or life-changing therapies. The Foundation was started to assist disabled, orphaned children, offering opportunities and providing a path forward.

Laura and Lauren were joined by David Conway of the UK in creating Delia’s Learning Center to provide services to children who were not attending school because of their disabilities. David Conway has arranged medical care for children in Vaslui County for 30+ years, including bringing UK doctors to repair cleft palates and other congenital defects.

We opened Delia’s Learning Center’s doors to children in February 2018!

In December 2020, The Delia Foundation was awarded a United States Medal of Recognition for our work!

A lifelong avid volunteer, Laura Larkin served as a U.S. Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children and volunteered at the Barlad, Romania Children’s Hospital for eight years. Laura 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, Arizona. Certified as a holistic nutritionist and instructor of Yoga for the Special Needs Child, Laura’s integrative approach to well-being is essential to our programs at Delia’s Learning Center.

Lauren Fishbach 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 Barlad Children’s Hospital. Lauren brings to The Delia Foundation deep experience in organizational planning, staffing, and corporate marketing and promotion. She is a Career Advisor to young adults and previously was a consultant with leading publishing and information industry companies as Senior Vice President of Bert Davis Executive Search. Earlier, Lauren was a Director of Global Marketing with McGraw-Hill/Standard & Poors.