Serena Walker was born into chaos her mother heavily addicted to drugs, her father unknown, and her family torn apart by substance abuse. Removed as an infant, Serena was separated from her siblings, many of whom would later fall into lives marked by depression, addiction, violence, and mental instability.

Though her early removal shielded her from some of the direct trauma her siblings faced, Serena’s path was far from easy. Raised in a more stable environment, she still endured sexual abuse at the hands of a religious figure and faced dark family secrets. But through it all, she found strength in empathy and purpose in service.

As a young adult, Serena dedicated herself to helping families affected by addiction and children impacted by the silent ripple of generational trauma. After the pandemic, she saw a heartbreaking surge in child neglect and abuse in her community. The pain felt familiar and the call to action, urgent.

On September 30, 2024, Serena took her pain and turned it into purpose. She founded the Protect Me Foundation a nonprofit committed to breaking cycles of abuse and neglect by empowering children with the tools to heal, grow, and thrive.

“I know the scars trauma leaves on a child’s mind, spirit, and future,” Serena says. “And I know what it means to feel unseen.”

Through the Protect Me Foundation, Serena envisions a world where every child is safe mentally, physically, and emotionally. The foundation provides mentorship, emotional support, literacy programs, and tools for self-awareness and regulation. At its heart is a belief: healed children become whole adults capable of building stronger, more compassionate communities.

Serena’s story is not just one of survival, but it's a mission. And it’s only just begun.