Daily Inspiration: Meet Lauren Slade

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Slade.

Hi Lauren, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I think back to my high school years and remember always having a deep desire to help people. Sometimes it was as simple as seeing someone struggle with their classwork and taking the time to help them through it—or mentoring incoming freshmen to help them transition into high school. I always looked for ways to make life a little easier for someone else. I’ve always had this ability to see how great people are—even when they’re going through something hard. Encouraging them, supporting them, and connecting them to the resources they need to become their best selves—that’s what I love.

I’m also a natural problem solver. I’m not the type to sit back and watch a problem unfold while waiting for someone else to fix it. If I see a need, I feel called to meet it. I love the challenge of finding solutions—that’s what drives my work in the community and fuels my love for people. Every issue is an opportunity to bring healing, hope, and support.

I use my own life experiences to guide others—whether it’s to help them avoid some of the challenges I faced or to walk alongside them as they overcome something I once went through. That’s exactly why Arukah exists.

I’ve been blessed with an incredible support system—from my family to my friends. If I ever need anything, I know without a doubt that they’ll show up for me. I am the woman I am today because of the people who’ve poured into me. My mother was a single mom, but she had the help of my great-grandmother, grandmother, grandfather, my aunts, father, uncles, and cousins. We had an amazing village. But I know that’s not everyone’s reality.

At Arukah, we are the support system for those who don’t have one. We believe healthy families are the foundation of healthy communities. And right now, so many families in Detroit are struggling—mentally, physically, and financially.

Life isn’t always easy—but it makes all the difference when you have someone to go through the storm with you. Someone to remind you that brighter days are ahead. That’s how I feel about families in Detroit. At Arukah, we walk with them through the storm. We hold their hand, stand beside them, and encourage them with the truth that brighter days are ahead.

Our mission at Arukah is to provide the kind of programming and resources that empower families and help build thriving neighborhoods. We focus on the full restoration of families—looking at their mental, physical, and financial health—because that’s what true healing takes. Our goal is simple: to help restore families in Detroit.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth. One of the biggest challenges for me has been belief—holding on to the faith that what God promised me will actually happen for our families. So much of what I believe doesn’t match what I see in front of me. Learning to walk by faith and not by sight is something I still have to intentionally practice every single day.

There have been times when we approached organizations to partner with us and were turned away. That kind of rejection can be discouraging, but I knew I had to keep going—regardless of the setbacks. It’s easy to want to give up when things get hard, but every time I feel that way, I think about our families. If I quit, I’m not just quitting on myself—I’m quitting on them. And that’s what keeps me going.

Being the founder of a nonprofit takes an incredible amount of work and dedication. I’m working on Arukah almost every single day—on top of a full-time 9-to-5 job. As a small nonprofit, much of the work falls on a small team. It is not by any means easy, but it is rewarding once you see the impact that what we do has on our families. This role requires me to show up as a leader, communicate the vision clearly to my team, empower them to execute that vision, and still manage the day-to-day responsibilities, relationship-building, and long-term strategy.

Staying consistent was a challenge for me. There are days when I don’t want to work on Arukah, when I’m tired, or when I have my own personal things going on in life. I have to be intentional about resting, taking care of myself, focusing on my mental health, and doing the very things I encourage my families to do. But I push through because I know families are depending on us to show up. Their lives, their healing, their progress—it all matters. And I’m beyond grateful for our partners. They give their time, their hearts, and their energy to this mission. Without them, none of this would be possible. Their support means everything.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Solving complex problems is more than a profession—it’s my passion. As a Digital Product Manager at Rocket, I have the opportunity to live that passion every day. I help lead our contact strategy—ensuring we engage with clients in the most effective, thoughtful, and meaningful ways possible. My role is to enhance the product I support so that we can deliver a seamless, impactful experience for our clients. Ultimately, everything we do is about one goal: to help everyone home.

That same heart for problem-solving carries into my work at Arukah, where we are building stronger families and healthier communities across Detroit. I believe in the power of family. While many of our families are facing real challenges, I don’t believe their current circumstances have to define their future. I specialize in seeing potential where others might see limitation, and I believe no one is beyond restoration. At Arukah, we provide hope by equipping families with the resources they need to restore their physical, mental, and financial well-being.

We recently launched an initiative I’m incredibly proud of—Nourish Detroit. This program is designed to tackle nutritious food insecurity by equipping families with knowledge, access, and tools. We’re just getting started, but the vision is powerful: to teach families how to cook with nourishing foods, provide them with groceries, and help them grow their own produce. Beyond access, we focus on education—showing families how the foods they eat impact their energy, mood, and long-term health. We help them understand how healthy eating habits benefit not only their own well-being, but also the growth, development, and future of their children. Our goal is to empower families to make lasting, healthy choices and build sustainable food systems they can pass down for generations.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the work I do—it’s the heart I bring to it. I find joy in supporting, encouraging, and pouring into others so they can become the best version of themselves. I’m intentional about not getting so caught up in my own life that I forget to show up for someone else.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe that living a life of impact requires a willingness to take risks. To me, risk means moving forward without knowing exactly how things will turn out—but choosing to move anyway. You can either take the leap and step out on faith, or you can stay in your comfort zone and never realize your full potential.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was founding my nonprofit organization. Building something from the ground up is never easy. There’s the challenge of rallying others around a vision that only exists in your heart and mind at first. There’s the possibility of failure, of being misunderstood, or not gaining the support you need. But the greater risk, in my opinion, is not trying at all. Without risk, there’s no reward—and no opportunity to truly make a difference.

Pricing:

• Donors can support our initiative Nourish Detroit by Donating 30 dollars to help us provide groceries for a family in Detroit

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arukahrestores.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellemichelle_/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmslade/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/arukah.restores/