About Us

 “I am a mom of 2, a graduate student, and an Army veteran. After opening my home to foster care in Washington state, and adopting my son, I moved to OK in 2019 where I began to see how a foster closet could be helpful to the many foster families in our community. I received a lot of help when I was a foster parent and understand how a resource such as Hope Chest can be a blessing to children in foster care. Foster care can feel so isolating and I want to create a community for foster families so they can feel supported in their journey."

 “I am a founding member of Hope Chest and have a passion for children in foster care. For the past years I have served on the Post Adjudication Review Board (PARB) in Delaware County and recently started also serving in Ottawa County, as well. I have personal experience in my family with adoption, foster care, and permanent guardianship. I have over 30 years of business management experience in the high-tech industry and recently was a Fitness Instructor for 12 years at the Grand Lake Family YMCA.” 

 “First and foremost, I am a wife, mother, and grandmother. I spent 25 years as an insurance executive with expertise in process & change management. Since retiring, I have spent countless hours advocating for children deemed deprived by the court system by serving on the Post Adjudication Review Board (PARB) for both Delaware & Ottawa Counties. I have a special place in my heart for children in foster care and foster families both through my work on PARB and the foster children that have come into my life & family.” 

 “I have been married for 44 years and am a mother of four boys, 3 daughters in love, and a grandmother to five. I graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work from Oral Roberts University in 1977. In the late 80’s, my husband & I became foster parents in Colorado and spent four years fostering over 14 children of which four spent over two years of their lives in our family. We then went on to become adoptive parents in 1984. After moving to OK in 2003, I was instrumental in starting Lighthouse Pregnancy Center in Jay, OK. I retired in late 2020 after serving as Executive Director for 15 years, but I will volunteer weekly at Lighthouse. I have a passion for children and families, beginning in the womb and will always be an advocate for them. My faith in Christ as Lord and Savior has been the mainstay in my life.” 

 “I am married and have three wonderful children. I am a former math teacher and have devoted the past five years to foster children. My family has had over 20 children in our home. I am an active member of Post Adjudication Review Board (PARB) in Ottawa County. I am excited to help with Hope Chest and help foster families in our community.” 

 “I am an attorney practicing primarily family law in Delaware & Ottawa Counties since 1983. Throughout my practice, I have worked with families involved with DHS Child Welfare, advocating for children, for parents and for foster parents in hundreds of cases. As an Assistant District Attorney, I prosecuted deprived child cases, some resulting in reunification of families and some resulting in termination of parental rights. I was on the Board of the Community Crisis Center, Inc. domestic violence program for more than twenty years, and serviced on the Delaware County Children’s Special Advocacy Network (DCCSAN) Board for many years. As a result, I am keenly aware of the needs of foster families and children in foster care for material support, but also for emotional support and education.”