fbpx

How Actress Jen Lilley Wants to Help Rescue Children Out of Abuse, Neglect

Photo from Jen Lilley’s Instagram

How Actress Jen Lilley Wants to Help Rescue Children Out of Abuse, Neglect

By Movieguide® Staff

Actress and outspoken Christian Jen Lilley recently attended Childhelp’s “Drive The Dream” gala, celebrating the lives of almost 12 million children their efforts have rescued out of abuse and neglect.

In 2019 and 2020, Lilley and her husband, Jason Wayne, adopted two half-brothers with the aid of Childhelp.

“This incredible charity’s founders are my two role models in life,” Lilley wrote on Instagram. “They’ve rescued almost 12 million US children from child abuse and neglect, and I think they’re currently nominated for their 10th #nobelpeaceprize, but you’ve probably never heard of them.”

“I’m completely smitten with them, wish they were my real life grandmas, and told them they need to outlive #BettyWhite (who was their dear friend),” she added in the caption of photos with Child Help founders Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Lime. “I’ve known Sara and Yvonne for 11 years now and they’re continually blowing my mind with their huge hearts, wicked senses of humor, and their absolute tireless commitment to helping children. It’s an honor to share the red carpet with them and I feel especially blessed that they’ve ‘met’ baby girl already.”

Last October, the former Movieguide® Awards Gala host announced that she and her husband, Jason Wayne, were expecting another child.

Lilley and Wayne are also parents to half-brothers Kayden, 5, and Jeffrey, 3, and birth daughter Julie, 2.

Before Sara and Yvonne launched their non-profit organization, they acted in Hollywood. For the past 62 years, Child Help has sought to fulfill its mission, “to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. We focus our efforts on advocacy, intervention, treatment, prevention, family resilience and community outreach.”

Lilley is a vocal advocate for adoption and providing loving families for the thousands of children in the foster care system.

Movieguide® previously reported:

Actress, singer and former Movieguide® Awards host Jen Lilley said that despite her many accolades, her personal favorite achievement is her time spent as a mother.

“…Personally, being a foster and adoptive parent through Childhelp and working to establish the Tulsa Girls Home are my greatest achievements,” she told City Lifestyle.

Lilley began her work with the organization in 2011 and is candid about her advocacy for children’s safety and well-being.

“I could literally write a book on my foster care journey and the ways it’s shaped me and adjusted my perspective on so many things in life, but I’ll simply say that being a foster and adoptive parent is the greatest experience of my life,” Lilley said. “While foster parenting is also the hardest thing I’ve ever done, it’s the most rewarding. The way it breaks you as a person is difficult but beautiful, because it opens your heart to new levels of love and empathy you really can’t experience any other way… I understand that not everyone is called to be a foster parent, but everyone is called to care for the children in the broken foster care system.”

“These are children who experienced an extremely traumatic set of circumstances through no fault of their own, who deserve the same love, safety, and education as any other child,” she added. “If we don’t do something, who will? There are so many ways to get involved.”

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.