Beyond establishing education and career goals, a large piece of the journey from high school to adulthood is discovering your passion.

For 2016 Kingfisher High School graduate Sydney Darrough, that discovery came last year when she saw a social media call for volunteers at an Edmond nonprofit called Fostering Sweet Dreams.

Founded by Kristy Payne, sister-in-law of Kingfisher Lifeway pastor Terry Payne, Fostering Sweet Dreams supplies the tangible needs of Oklahoma foster children and domestic violence victims and also helps facilitate safe reunification of broken families.

Darrough developed a heart for children from troubled backgrounds after growing up among foster siblings when her parents, Steve and Robin Darrough, opened their home to vulnerable children.

That experience made her decision to volunteer for the charity a no-brainer.

“Last year, I was commuting to school and also substituting at Gilmour (elementary school) and still had quite a bit of time on my hands, so when I saw a post on Facebook calling for volunteers, I grabbed my phone and called,” she said. “I haven’t looked back since.”

Although her schedule only allows her to volunteer at the nonprofit once a week, her role started with basic but essential tasks involving collecting, organizing, sorting and distributing donations but has grown to include serving as a public face for the charity.

When Fostering Sweet Dreams was selected as the beneficiary of a “White Out” party hosted by an Oklahoma City band last weekend, Payne selected Darrough to take the microphone as FSD’s representative at the event, sharing the organization’s mission and answering questions.

“She has been there for us at every opportunity she can to serve and portray our mission,” Payne wrote on a Face-book post after the successful event. “I believe with all my heart that Sydney’s heart and passion is in complete alignment with Fostering Sweet Dreams.”

Darrough is quick to point out that she receives even more than she gives as a volunteer at the nonprofit.

“Saying it’s been life-changing would be an understatement,” she said. “I thought I had checked my own privilege long ago, but you don’t realize what you still take for granted – like actually having a bed to sleep in.”

Darrough said her intention of opening her own home to foster children one day, a dream since high school, has been reaffirmed by her experience with the charity.

“Since volunteering there, I am 100 percent sure I will be a foster mom,” she said.