Hear where Joyful Beginnings is headed from Executive Director, Karen Lamoureux and Program Director, Laura Beatty.

Working as a partner in parenting, the Joyful Beginnings online community offers encouragement and support through the challenges, while also helping parents and caregivers gain confidence in their abilities, bond deeply with their children, and find the moments of joy. Through loving guidance and expert advice, Joyful Beginnings offers a unique way of working that has at its center a deep respect for the innate wisdom of the child and their parents and strives to meet children and families where they are, with a loving embrace and without judgment.  Best of all, Joyful Beginnings is available anytime and anywhere a parent can catch a moment for themselves.

Karen  joined Sophia’s Hearth as Executive Director in July, 2019. Karen brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership of services to children and families. She graduated from Boston College and completed her master’s degree at New England College.  She has served as Vice President of Children’s services at Lutheran Social Services of NH and later as the Chief Executive Officer of Pace School in Pittsburgh PA.

Karen says,“It is the joy of my professional life to work at Sophia’s Hearth surrounded by very young children.” Karen is the proud mother of 2 grown daughters.

Laura has been at Sophia’s Hearth since 2017. Before coming to Sophia’s Hearth, Laura worked as a co-teacher in the Kindergarten classroom at the Garland School in Brattleboro, VT and was also a class teacher at the Waldorf School of Princeton in Princeton, NJ. In her time at Sophia’s Hearth, Laura has worked in all the classrooms and with all the age groups. Laura also served as the Parent Outreach Coordinator and now has the role of Program Director for Joyful Beginnings. Laura has an undergraduate degree in Classical Civilizations and English. Laura received her Waldorf teaching certificate from Antioch University. Laura holds an Early Childhood Level I teaching certificate from River Valley Community College. She is also currently in the teacher training at Sophia’s Hearth where she will receive a WECAN recognized Birth-Three certificate. Laura is a mother of two, with one on the way! Life is very full, but very fulfilling. In moments of free time, Laura enjoys reading, relaxing, and doing handwork of all kinds!