Passing the Torch 🔥

One thing about starting a nonprofit that has surprised me is the incredible generosity it has invited into my life—from complete strangers and from the people closest to me.

One gift in particular struck me this past week:

It came from my mother-in-law, Debbie Sparrow. It was the final donation from Seek, the nonprofit she founded decades ago. Seek operated an adoption agency in Romania for more than a decade before eventually winding down. After being inactive for some time, Debbie officially closed the organization this week and chose to donate its remaining funds to Passback.

That gesture meant more to me than the dollar amount ever could.

My husband, Hayden Sparrow, grew up watching his mom build something bigger than herself. He and his seven siblings—including five who were adopted—were all part of that journey in one way or another.

Because of that, Hayden brings a perspective to Passback that few people have. He knows what it looks like to grow up alongside a social entrepreneur. He knows when to encourage me to take risks, when to protect space and time for our family, and when to simply trust that things will work out. That perspective has been an incredible gift.

One thing Debbie told me early on has stayed with me ever since. She said it never really felt like a choice. God placed the work on the plate in front of her, and she could either accept it or not.

When I first had the idea for Passback more than three years ago, that is exactly how it felt to me. I remember lying in bed when I suddenly sat straight up and started writing furiously in my notes. It felt like the entire concept—the mission, the systems, even much of the business model—was being downloaded into my mind all at once. Many of those early ideas have since become reality.

Debbie, Dennis, and the entire Sparrow family have been instrumental in helping Passback grow. Their encouragement has never wavered.

The funds from Seek will now help equip three foster care groups to play soccer during the 2026 season, coached by Debbie’s daughter and my sister-in-law, Madalina Sparrow.

There was something profoundly beautiful about that. To me, it felt like a passing of the torch.

I’m honored to be trusted, and I’m grateful to be seen, understood, and believed in. Systems change is a team sport.