Raised by a single mother, there wasn’t extra money for things like college, so after high school—Granite Bay resident Lorrie Wilson worked full-time and attended classes at night. In the end, despite her challenging childhood, she completed her degree and went on to a long and successful career with the California Department of Transportation. 

These days, Wilson is an active volunteer and was recently honored by United Way—where she co-chairs the organization’s Women in Philanthropy group—for her work supporting the needs of local foster children. Her favorite activity is teaching life skills workshops (i.e. topics such as interviewing for a job, managing a budget or cooking) to young people transitioning out of foster care. “These kids don’t have a parent to teach them how to do those things,” she says. “We can connect with them, and show them how.”

Wilson credits her passion for helping young people to her experience as a parent—she and her husband have a 21-year-old daughter, Kaitlin, whom they adopted and now attends college in Oregon. Wilson doesn’t harbor any resentment about her own  childhood, however. “It made me a better person…it gave me an appreciation for what I have, and what I can give back to others.” •

 — Amber Foster // Photos by Dante Fontana.

Escape: Anywhere near the ocean

Guilty pleasures: Ice cream and great wine

Meal in town: Dominick’s Italian Market & Deli 

Local landmark: American River Bike Trail

Memory: Adopting my daughter

Movie: Dirty Dancing

Local nonprofits: Women in Philanthropy, Petal Connection

Saying:  “Everything happens for a reason.”