Lela Ballard
She/Her
7 Years in Care
Lela’s journey through foster care shaped hercompassion, and dedication for helping others. She experienced multiple placements.As an LGBTQ+ youth, she often felt unsupported and unsafe, and she did not always receive the support and care she needed.
Despite these challenges, Lela found her voice through advocacy. She spent six years with Alabama’s DREAM Ambassadors, eventually serving as president, raising awareness about foster youth issues and connecting young people with resources. She also volunteered at foster youth summer camps, using her lived experience to guide and encourage youth preparing for life after care.
Her leadership and service earned her the Carter G. Woodson Award from Berea College for academic excellence, leadership, and community engagement. In college, she continued giving back by volunteering at local and Montgomery-area food banks.
Currently, Lela is pursuing her CPC certification with a goal of advancing in the medical coding field and earning her CCS certification. Passionate about advocacy, she continues to share her story, mentor youth, and support systemic change, while finding solace and expression in reading and music.
