A Family For Every Child Heart Gallery
880 Beltline Road
Springfield OR 97477
Office: (541) 343-2856
Toll Free: (877) 343-2856
Christy Obie-Barrett
Executive Director
(541) 954-9626 Cell
cbobie@aol.com
Christy Obie-Barrett, the Executive Director created the agency through dedicated and insightful leadership. She brings the unique perspective of an adoptive parent, a business person and a community partner together to motivate others toward positive outcomes for children. Christy is President-Elect of the Heart Gallery of America for the 2010-2012 term.
Esther Harclerode
Development Associate
esther@afamilyforeverychild.org
Esther Harclerode joins A Family For Every Child (AFFEC) after earning a Master of Arts degree in English.
Her passion for human services-centered non-profit organizations and writing led her to grant writing and development.
Through development for AFFEC, Esther has found a meaningful outlet for service to her community and the opportunity
to assist in finding permanent homes for waiting children in foster care.
Esther provides development support and lead work on behalf of AFFEC, the Executive Director and the Board.
In addition, the she is involved in all funding stream planning and development that AFFEC is involved in, including program-based funding.
Linzy Munger
Administrative Executive Assistant
linzy@afamilyforeverychild.org
Linzy is a recent graduate from the University of Oregon.
She spent several months as a volunteer before finding her fit as a staff member.
Linzy truly believes that no child is unadoptable and that everyone deserve a forever family to call their own.
She is excited to find new and more efficient ways to spread the word about the great things that AFFEC is doing for kids.
Linzy provides administrative and program support to the Executive Director of A Family For Every Child.
In addition, she is a liaison to child welfare, families & children.
This position is involved in and support all roles of the Executive Director.
Heather Smith
Heart Gallery / Mentor Program Coordinator
heather@afamilyforeverychild.org
Heather Smith is the mother of three children. Her background is in Early Childhood Education. She spent the last 20+ years teaching preschool, Kindergarten and specialized reading programs for early readers. One of her goals is to try to find a mentor for every child in the foster care system. She feels every child deserves someone in their life that they can count on. Heather is very excited to be part of the A Family For Every Child team.
Caitlin Baird
Family Finding Local Director
(541)343-2856 (Office)
caitlin@afamilyforeverychild.org
Caitlin Baird, is our new local Family Finding Director for A Family for Every Child. She is currently finishing her political science degree at the University of Oregon and has always wanted to work in the non-profit sector. Caitlin has volunteered for a number of non-profits around Lane County and is thrilled to be working for AFFEC. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, and painting.
BJ Hurwich
Eugene-Based Adoption Worker
bj@afamilyforeverychild.org
A love of children and happy endings drew Barbara (BJ) Hurwich into Adoption work. "I'm quite passionate that children deserve love, safety, care and the potential for a bright future." BJ has dual Master's degrees in Psychology and Social Work, and has counseled families for 20 years. She is a parent and foster parent, and enjoys gardening, dancing, remodeling houses, training master recyclers and helping organize events for the homeless. One of BJ's specialties is helping families analyze their adoption portfolio to showcase their strengths and identify how they can build their skills to effectively parent special needs children.
Sue Thoroughman
Portland-Based Adoption Worker
sue@afamilyforeverychild.org
Sue Thoroughman earned her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Wheaton College
Graduate School. Sue spent eight plus years as a Center Director at the Pregnancy
Resource Center in Portland, then went on to work with birth parents and adoptive
parents at Heritage Adoption Services, eventually becoming their Director of Domestic Services.
After taking a couple of years off to rest, travel and make jewelry, Sue came back to the
field of adoption at HGAA. "I really love the mission of this organization. Why does it
take so long to get kids placed with their forever families? I'm glad to be a part of
bringing about change, and I hope it will be for many, many kids and their new families."
Scott Corcoran
Web Developer
scott@afamilyforeverychild.org
Scott Corcoran, our part-time web programmer graduated with a
degree in Math from UCLA. He worked 15 years as a scientific and system programmer
in California before starting to dabble with the www in North Carolina in 2007.
Since that time he has put up 3 websites and maintains two more websites for Heart Gallery
of America. If you find an error or would like to help overhaul the website, please
let him know!
Not included here are the countless volunteers who helped to build this
agency and continue to support Oregon’s children through their generous
donations of time and effort.
