Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Lawrence Witherspoon is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in leadership and partnerships, currently serving as the Senior Manager of Partnerships at the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption since September 2023. Prior to this role, Lawrence founded GREATER LOVE OUTREACH MINISTRIES and held the position of Director at Groundwork Ohio from September 2022 to September 2023. Additionally, Lawrence was employed at The Buckeye Ranch from August 2008 to September 2022, where responsibilities included Support Services Supervisor and Co-Chair of the TBR Diversity Equity & Inclusion Council. Lawrence holds a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design & Communications from the University of Cincinnati and has also studied at Ashford University and Antonelli College-Cincinnati, earning an Associate of Arts in Commercial and Advertising Art.
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs and builds awareness around the growing need and importance of foster care adoption in various ways. We also develop resources for employers and families to support the adoption journey. Through our signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Foundation provides grants to adoption agencies to hire and train recruiters in our child-focused recruitment model to find loving, permanent homes for children in foster care. This model is up to three times more effective at serving children who have been in foster care the longest, including older youth, siblings and children with special needs. The Foundation offers a free library of resources to help families navigate the adoption journey, such as Finding Forever Families: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption and Strengthen Your Forever Family: A Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Adoption. The Foundation also works to build awareness around the growing need and importance of adoption from foster care through public service announcements, social media campaigns, articles, events, sponsorships and more.