We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Puskas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Sarah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Honestly, I think my purpose found me. I’ve always been a creative. Growing up, I knew I wanted to be an artist. That dream took me to the Art Institute of Phoenix, in Arizona, where I studied graphic and web design. In 2016, I graduated with my BA and “Best Portfolio” in my class and was quickly recruited by a billion-dollar software development company, called KUBRA, as an in-house graphic designer on their marketing team. At that time, it felt like I was living the dream.
But family has always been central to me. I was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, in a family that ran a small business (Puskas Family Flowers), and that upbringing instilled in me both a love for community and the spark of entrepreneurship. So after a few years, I made the decision to move back home to Ohio with hopes of freelancing and eventually building my own design business.
What I didn’t anticipate was how much I would struggle after that transition. I faced anxiety and challenges with my mental health. Then, during the pandemic, I became a mom for the first time. While I had always wanted to be a mother, the reality was so much harder than I expected. I became a stay-at-home mom—not something I had originally planned—and I struggled deeply with postpartum depression, isolation, and the stress of raising a child on a very limited budget.
Things began to shift when I stumbled upon a post from Cleveland with Kids. I started taking my son to library story times and free community programs at nature centers and metro parks. Those outings became a lifeline. My son’s development blossomed, and for me, it was like the fog finally lifted. Being around other parents, making new friends who understood what I was going through—it changed everything. I realized I didn’t have to feel trapped at home because of money; I could still create joyful memories with my child. That realization was a game changer for my mental health and the way I parented.
Toward the end of 2022, I felt a calling to bring that same resource to Lorain County. I wanted families here to know about all the free and affordable ways to enjoy time with their kids and to thrive instead of just survive. On January 1, 2023, I launched Lorain with Littles. For me, it was also a way to channel my creativity again; designing the logo, branding, and social media graphics gave me a fresh outlet for my design degree. The initial response blew me away. The page quickly grew on Instagram and Facebook, showing there was a real need in our community.
What started as a “mom page” soon grew into something bigger. With help from other local moms, we began hosting free monthly Play Dates at family-friendly locations across Lorain County. These gatherings brought/bring in 50-100 families each month, creating space for kids to play and parents to connect. Since then, we’ve hosted around 30 play dates, plus themed story times and fundraisers.
Meanwhile, life kept moving. I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant with my second child just after launching LwL. I worried about experiencing postpartum depression again, but this time was different—I had a community around me. With the support of other parents and volunteers, LwL kept growing right alongside my belly. My daughter was born in October 2023, conveniently between two play dates, so I never even had to miss an event.
In the summer of 2024, my son was preparing for preschool, and financially we knew I needed to return to work. At first, I applied for graphic design jobs since that was my field. But a colleague recommended me for a Parent & Youth Ambassador position with Child Care Resource Center (CCRC). It felt like such a natural fit. The program, run through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, trains ambassadors with lived experience to help families navigate systems, access resources, and feel supported without judgment. Since LwL had already partnered with CCRC on parent cafés, I knew the organization—and they knew me. I started the role in September 2024, and it’s been such a rewarding way to take what I was already doing through LwL and bring it to an even higher level. (Not to mention actually getting a paycheck again and being able to help support our own family).
At the same time, I knew LwL needed to get officially established if it was going to last. In the summer of 2024, I put out applications for board members, interviewed nearly 20 people, and built a strong, diverse board that shares the same passion for supporting families. Now, we’re on the path to 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, which will open the door to grants and allow us to expand our impact.
When I reflect on how I found my purpose, it really comes back to community and resilience. The quotes “Bloom where you are planted” and “Be the change you want to see in the world” mean a lot to me. As a teen, I couldn’t wait to “get out” of Ohio, and I did—I loved Arizona. But the one thing missing there was family. Moving back was harder than I expected, and I struggled for a long time. But once I embraced those quotes, I realized I didn’t need to escape my hometown to find fulfillment. Instead, I could bloom here, invest in my community, and be part of making Lorain a better place to raise a family.
So, in the end, I didn’t just “find” my purpose—it found me through motherhood, mental health struggles, creativity, and community. Today, I see my purpose as helping families feel connected, supported, and inspired—because I know firsthand how life-changing that can be.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I think I captured most of this in the first question but were very excited for Lorain with Littles to finally have it’s 501c3 status soon! This will open up so many doors and funding opportunities for us to take LwL to the next level! On a personal note, I’m currently planning my wedding for May 2025.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that shaped my journey the most were resilience, creativity, and empathy.
Resilience carried me through the tough seasons: postpartum depression, financial struggles, and the uncertainty of starting something new, or even harder, keeping it going. There were so many moments where it would have been easier to give up, but I kept going because I knew my “why”: I wanted a better life for my kids and for other families like mine.
Creativity has been with me since day one, from art shows in elementary and high school, to earning a design degree, hand drawing pencil portraits, to building a brand and social media presence for Lorain with Littles. But it’s more than just design- it’s problem-solving, finding new ways to connect families, and imagining what our community could be.
And empathy is at the heart of it all. I know what it feels like to be isolated, anxious, and overwhelmed as a parent, and that fuels me to make sure other parents feel seen and supported. Being a people person and a mom myself has helped me connect with families in a very real, non-judgmental way.
For anyone just starting out, my biggest advice is simple: just start. The hardest part is taking that first step. You don’t need to have it all figured out. In fact, you won’t. But if your heart is in the right place, people will see that and they’ll rally around you. You can learn and adjust as you go, just like with parenting. There’s no perfect roadmap, but there’s so much growth and beauty in the journey itself.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely yes! Lorain with Littles and the Parent Ambassador program are built on collaboration. I truly believe that when organizations and individuals work together, our entire community becomes stronger. Connection is key. We’re always looking for partners to co-host free monthly Play Dates or to join us in creating other family engagement opportunities in and around Lorain County. We also love being part of community outreach events, like resource fairs, where we can connect directly with families.
Beyond partnerships, what we need most are good people who are willing to volunteer. It truly takes a village to keep it going! We accept volunteer applications year-round through our website at lorainwithlittles.org/getinvolved. Once we officially establish our 501(c)(3), we’ll also be forming a Play Date Committee and our current volunteers will be the first ones we look to for that leadership.
We also welcome sponsors and donations—whether that’s craft supplies, snacks for kids, raffle prizes, donated space, or services that help make our events special. Anyone interested in collaborating can reach out through our website or email our team directly at [email protected]
At the end of the day, our mission is about families supporting families, and we’d love to partner with anyone who shares that vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: lorainwithlittles.org
- Instagram: @lorainwithlittles
- Facebook: facebook.com/lorainwithlittles
Image Credits
Group photo of board (all in black polos) photo credit: Felicia Saunders with R1Twenty Photography LLC
