Hi, I’m Delaney.

My heart for serving others started through ministry and missions. I had the opportunity to serve as a missionary in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, where I developed a deep passion for helping people and supporting communities in meaningful ways. Those experiences shaped how I see the world and strengthened my desire to advocate for those who may not always have a voice.

After returning home, that passion led me into working with children with disabilities. I became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), supporting children with autism and helping them build skills that allow them to communicate, grow, and thrive. I also worked in schools as an aide in more intensive special education classrooms, where I saw firsthand both the incredible strengths of these students and the gaps in support they sometimes face.

Those experiences inspired me to pursue my Special Education degree, where I continue to learn how to better support children with diverse needs. Along the way, I also began working in respite care, serving foster families and families caring for children with complex medical needs. This work has given me an even deeper understanding of the challenges many families face and the importance of compassionate support systems.

In the summer of 2025, I began what would eventually grow into Brave Bags and The Lionheart Collective. Growing up as the daughter of a firefighter, I’ve always had deep respect for first responders and the work they do. But through my work with children with disabilities, I also began to notice a gap between emergency response and the unique needs of some of the kids in our community.

That realization sparked an idea: what if we could equip first responders with the tools and understanding needed to better support children with disabilities during emergencies?

What started as a simple idea became Brave Bags, and has now grown into The Lionheart Collective—a mission focused on equipping responders, supporting families, and building stronger connections between first responders and the disability community.

At the heart of it all is a simple hope: that in moments of crisis, every child is met with compassion, understanding, and care.