Karen Olson – How Passion and Purpose Created a Movement to End Family Homelessness

Season 5, Episode 36

What if one small act of kindness could spark a nationwide movement?

In this inspiring episode of Mature Allure, Sherri O. is joined by Karen Olson, author of Meant for More and the founder and CEO Emeritus of Family Promise, a national nonprofit that has mobilized over 1 million volunteers to support homeless families across America. What started as a sandwich and a conversation blossomed into a lifelong mission of service and transformation. Karen opens up about how an unexpected encounter shifted the course of her life, the lessons she learned about leadership, resilience, and forgiveness—and how passion, planning, and persistence built a legacy of hope.

We explore the power of volunteering, how one woman turned personal heartache into social change, and why we all have the potential to make a meaningful difference—no matter our age or stage in life. This conversation will remind you that it’s never too late to follow your heart and live a life of deeper impact.

3 Key Takeaways

• Leading with passion, purpose, and persistence can create lasting change in the world.

• Volunteering doesn’t just help others—it transforms the volunteer from within.

• Personal healing often comes from forgiveness, empathy, and being of service to others.

What we discussed:

[00:30] – Karen’s unexpected journey into philanthropy and how a sandwich led to a calling

[05:00] – The beginnings of Family Promise and how her son inspired their early outreach

[09:30] – Why volunteering matters and how it changes lives—both the giver and the receiver

[16:00] – Karen’s lessons in leadership: the 3 P’s—Passion, Plan, and Persistence

[21:00] – Overcoming personal trauma, forgiveness, and resilience after a life-altering accident

[25:00] – A powerful story of transformation from a former Family Promise guest

Learn more from Karen:

Website: www.karenolsonauthor.com | https://familypromise.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kareneolson/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kareneolson/

Learn more about Sherri O.:

Website: https://matureallure.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4matureallure/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mature.allure

Instagram: @mature.allure

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