J.K. Rowling founded Lumos to fight the institutionalization of children.
The organization began in 2005 as the Children’s High Level Group, created with the aim of improving conditions for vulnerable children in institutions. It was renamed Lumos in 2010. The charity advocates replacing large residential institutions with family- and community-based care, where appropriate.
Rowling became involved after reading a newspaper article about children in Eastern European institutions. The article’s image of children confined in beds prompted her to investigate the issue and use her public profile to support reform. Lumos works internationally with governments, professionals, and communities.
Lumos is sometimes confused with a fictional spell from Harry Potter. “Lumos” is also the name of a wand-lighting spell in the books, but the charity is a real organization with a child-welfare mission. Its name reflects the idea of bringing children out of institutions and into safer family settings.