Lauren Forney Awarded 2025 Space to Succeed Scholarship for Community Leadership

Lauren Forney Awarded 2025 Space to Succeed Scholarship

In a remarkable achievement that celebrates community engagement and leadership, Lauren Forney, a senior at Spelman College, has been honored as one of the three national winners of The Storage Center's 2025 Fall Space to Succeed Scholarship. This accolade comes with a scholarship award of $5,000, which will be applied directly to her studies in health science at the renowned institution.

Forney's journey in community service began at an early age. At just nine, her visit to a local food pantry opened her eyes to the stark realities of food insecurity, prompting her to organize her very first canned food drive. This initial initiative has blossomed into an annual program that has successfully collected over 32,000 items for families in need over a period of 12 years.

Even as challenges arose, including a significant medical emergency that required hospitalization shortly before her tenth food drive, Forney did not waver. Instead, she adapted her efforts, moving the drive online and collecting nearly 600 items that year. This experience was pivotal, reinforcing her philosophy of leading by action, a principle that continues to inspire her work.

As Forney's profile in community service grew, she took it a step further by founding Lauren's Community Service Academy at the age of 12. This nonprofit organization aims to empower young people across Texas to initiate and manage their own service projects. One notable campaign, Serving Our Elders, evolved into the Warm Scarf Campaign, distributing over 800 scarves to senior citizens. Through her academy, Forney has mentored countless students, fostering a culture of compassion and purposeful leadership.

Robby Piper, Principal at The Storage Center, remarked, "Lauren demonstrates how empathy, when paired with action, can create powerful change and inspire others to do the same," further emphasizing her alignment with the scholarship's mission.

Currently pursuing her passion for health science at Spelman, Forney remains committed to her community service initiatives while aspiring to become a dermatologist, focusing on underserved populations. Last summer, she participated in the American Academy of Dermatology's Career Prep Program in Washington, D.C., where she volunteered at a community health fair. This experience shed light on the misinformation surrounding skin health in communities of color, further solidifying her determination to combine medical care with education, advocacy, and preventive outreach.

As her educational journey continues, Forney envisions leveraging her health science knowledge to enhance community health initiatives, combat misinformation, and ensure equitable access to care for all. With plans to obtain a Master of Public Health and ultimately attend medical school, she aspires to serve as a physician in fields such as dermatology or gynecology. Her long-term goal is to address health disparities impacting women and communities of color, emphasizing the need for comprehensive healthcare solutions.

For those interested in learning more about The Space to Succeed Scholarship and this year's recipients, further details can be found at The Storage Center's website.

About The Storage Center

The Storage Center is a leading operator of self-storage facilities, managing over 55,000 storage units across more than 70 locations in six states. Established in 1986 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA, The Storage Center has been dedicated to constructing and operating top-quality storage solutions, providing customers with a diverse array of services, including climate-controlled units and secure storage for boats and RVs. Additional information can be found at The Storage Center website.