I have served as a foster parent, guardian and host home for youth for over 30 years. I have a passion for youth and finding permanent placement in a home that meets the unique needs of the child. In addition, I have over 30 years of experience in the nonprofit field, serving The Arc of Lane County, Senior and Disabled Services and ORI Community and Evaluation Services.
Across the region, young people, especially BIPOC and teens, are struggling to find forever homes. While demand for services continues to rise, we must relook at the service system and find creative and powerful tools to connect families and youth in the foster care system. Adoption is not a one-size fits all process. AFFEC has a strong history of matching youth with nontraditional families and finding a match that can create unity and love for every child. I am very proud to be a part of this organization and provide leadership to making AFFEC relevant and serve unmet/niche communities.
Volunteer Coordinator
Kelli was a long term volunteer with A Family For Every Child before finding her place with our organization. Since 2012, her position has grown to include Child Recruitment Services as well as the Volunteer Coordinator for the organization.
āI consider it a privilege to be a part of this organization and to work alongside such dedicated individuals. I firmly believe that there truly is a family for every child.ā Kelli is exuberant about her work and eager to form partnerships with agencies and social workers nationwide. āWe all have the same goal in mind-to find stable, loving homes for waiting foster children. By providing free recruitment services, we can achieve this goal together.ā
While Kelliās work is her passion, she likes to spend her free time with her husband, two grown children as well as with many friends and relatives. While they enjoy trips to the Oregon Coast, University of Oregon football, and the beauty that is the Pacific Northwest, they are also self-described nerds and their home is filled with their memorabilia collection.
Heart Gallery Director
Adoption Workers
Eugene, OR
Rosalind has a Masterās Degree in Early Intervention from the University of Oregon. She worked as a caseworker for the Department of Human Services Child Welfare department for seven years. She has also worked with homeless families and victims of domestic violence. She says, āI believe that taking care of children is the most important job in our society and children in foster care are among those needing the most careā. Rosalind was born in North Carolina, but grew up in Italy. She has worked in Africa helping girls to go to high school. She has three children, six grandchildren, one cat, and enjoys gardening and writing.
Eugene, OR
Nichole Brown has a Bachelorās Degree in Sociology and Spanish from The University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. She worked as a Bilingual Child Protective Services caseworker for 12 years and has extensive experience working with foster families, interviewing child abuse victims and developing individualized case/safety plans. She currently serves as a legal assistant and child visitor for juvenile and family law attorneys currently serving local youth in foster care.
Eugene, OR / Surrounding Areas
Heather is an adoption worker based out of the Eugene/Springfield area, however, she works with families all over the state. She has been with the agency for several years now and absolutely loves being able to help families through their adoption journey. She has a huge heart, and has made it her mission to find loving and stable homes for children in the foster care system. Heather has a background in education and taught elementary and middle school for 13 years in Florida, California and Oregon before stepping into the social work arena. She spent time traveling around the United States in her camper before settling down in Oregon. She has worked with diverse populations and especially loves to work with non-traditional families. Heather connects well with children and goes the extra mile when it comes to providing service for her clients before, during and after adoptions. Additionally, Heather facilitates a community adoption support group that meets in Eugene once a month and is in the process of creating a group in the Medford area.
Portland, OR / Surrounding Areas
Staci is an adoptive parent who has a passion for assisting others grow their families through adoption. Staci is a passionate advocate and has a strong knowledge of adoption and how the system works. She lives in the Portland area with her children and husband. They enjoy the outdoors, helping others, and doing things together as a family. Staci is a dedicated worker who has many years of experience as a youth support counselor and as a teacher. Staci loves assisting others through the adoption process.
WA
Athenia (Tina) Childersā¦ā¦..was born in California to a single mother in crisis. She spent most of her formative years moving often from state to state, even at one point living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Much of these years were spent moving in and out of foster care, group care, receiving care and relative care.
Tina has 4 biological children and 7 grandchildren and 1 very cherished angel. Currently she has a teenager and her two sisters residing all in the same home.
Growing up in care Tina brings a unique perspective to the table. Always questioning and encouraging our youth to question. Bringing the āfamily valueā of teaching our children to Dreamā¦ā¦that is the one word that most us take for granted. Passionā¦ā¦.Driveā¦ā¦..Teachā¦ā¦..these are all very valuable qualities that Tina has had to learn along the way. Oneās that she values above all else and shares with friends and family.
Tina has worked in Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Program / Shelter (YWCA), Federal Probation & Parole, State of Washington Childrenās Administration (Child Protective, Child Welfare, Division of Licensed Resources), Pioneer Human Resources, Auburn Youth Resources, Sea Mar Community Healthcare and Anthem Healthcare (Amerigroup.) Currently she holds a Bachelorās of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Forensics, and a Masterās in Science Criminal Justice Administration. With numerous other trainings and certifications. It is also with great anticipation that Tina looks forward to collaborating with our community, state and agency partners to provide a better future and to teach our kids to Dream again.
Bend, OR
Salem, OR
Eugene, OR / Prineville, OR
Hello my name is Stephanie Cummings and I am an Adoption Worker.
I have been working with families and children for over 30 years. I started out as a foster parent at 23 with a new baby myself. My household quickly grew with 2 bio children, 5 foster and a guardianship within a year. I fell in love with the children and began to look at the "why" and "how" we have children in foster care and the needs of families and communities. I became an advocate for my kids in court and providing resources for special needs. My heart grew bigger and I needed to know and research about this vulnerable population of little people. I decided to continue my education at received a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and in Women's Studies from Portland State University. I also have a 2-year degree in Interpersonal and Domestic Violence.
I have worked with families all over Oregon in many different roles. I have been an in home safety service provider, a foster parent, community trainer, family advocate, homeless families case manager in Portland and a child welfare social worker in Child Protective services and adoptions. I recently worked as an Education Manager for Head Start and Early Head Start and a Family Advocate. I have many years and training hours in attachment and bonding, special needs and education, RAD, oppositional and defiant behaviors and trauma and crisis.
I live in Prineville but travel to Eugene often as a second home base! I grew up in Springfield but have traveled and lived all over the state of Oregon plus a few other states! I have a blended family with 5 children and 6 grandchildren all under the age of 7! I love to travel, read, quilt and meet new people!
I feel strong and open communication, knowing your families and providing amazing family and child connections and matches are so important in what I do! I am so excited to begin this journey with A Family for Every Child
Eugene, OR & Other Select Areas
Spokane, WA
Astoria,OR / Surrrounding Areas
Portland,OR
Boise, ID
Gold Beach, OR
Idaho
Portland Area
Salem, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
My name is Elyse Hoots and I live in Sherwood, Oregon. I am married to my wonderful husband and we have two children that keep us busy! Together we love to go camping, play games, spend time outdoors and go to OSU football games (Go Beavs!). I received my degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University with the specific desire to work with children and families in the adoption process. Professionally, I have worked in Relief Nursery settings, Child Welfare and most recently have been honored to work with families adopting internationally. I am now thrilled to be able to advocate for children and families in this capacity. I am passionate about providing my clients with information, training, resources and compassionate support. I truly love getting to know my families, learning their stories and partnering with them through each stage of the adoption process.
Redmond, Oregon