Do you prefer the whole story? Find the longer entries for each nomination HERE.
Jennifer Hernandez and her team at Westside Community Center have been incredibly supportive and collaborative for the past four years, always offering space and resources for community events and initiatives. Their dedication to connecting families with needed resources exemplifies their commitment to community service.
Kenneth Collier, a visionary leader at Trels Home for Children, actively engages with each child, understanding their unique needs and fostering a supportive environment. His commitment to the principles of TBRI and his holistic, compassionate approach makes him an invaluable leader and mentor.
Therapy 2000 has gone above and beyond to support Upbring’s mission, providing swift and effective developmental therapies for children in foster care. Their trauma-informed approach and dedication to involving all caregivers in the therapeutic process have created lasting positive impacts on children’s lives.
Pastor Billy Pate and April Pate have dedicated their lives to creating a safe, loving environment for boys aging out of foster care at Rising Sons Boys Ranch. Their mission to provide a forever home and support system for these boys aims to prevent the devastating outcomes often faced by those exiting care without family support.
Foster 325, founded by Jeannette McQueen, focuses on equipping local churches and communities in Abilene, to support foster families. Their initiatives, including citywide babysitting training and Christ-centered counseling services, aim to ensure stable, loving homes for every foster child in the Big Country area.
One Hope for Kids’ New Braunfels Foster Closet has provided essential resources and support to over 500 families, fostering a sense of community and belonging among foster, kinship, and adoptive families. Their dedication to holistic care and practical assistance exemplifies their transformative impact on the community.
The Fostering Collective in Smith County and surrounding areas has been instrumental in advancing 4Kids4Families’ mission, providing crucial support and resources to foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Their innovative programs and collaborative approach have significantly impacted the community, fostering a culture of support and empowerment.
The Christ’s Haven Program Team has adapted to serve a unique population of families in need, providing a family model of care for displaced youth. Their trauma-informed approach and dedication have resulted in significant positive outcomes for the children and families they serve.
John Sigle, President and CEO of Texas Girls and Boys Ranch, has led the organization through 22 years of service, helping over 1,500 children. His unwavering leadership and dedication have provided stability and growth even during challenging times.
The team at Ayanti RTC have transformed the lives of many young girls through their trauma-informed care approach. They have significantly reduced AWOLs and psychiatric hospital admissions, delivering high-standard, child-centered care.
Bernard Hewitt at Hidden Cove RTC is known for his exceptional support and service to residents and staff, reflecting excellence in every aspect of his work. His leadership and dedication embody the principles of trauma-informed care and community partnership.
Taylor Halsey at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch goes above and beyond to improve the lives of the youth and families on her caseload. Her intentional and proactive approach has led to meaningful growth, repair, and healing for many youths and their families.
Nikki Relford, founder of multiple organizations supporting children and families, has dedicated her life to helping those in need. Her work with children with disabilities and her motivational approach have made her a vital community member and an inspiration for many.
Kenneth Collier, a leader and visionary at Trels, actively engages with children, understanding their individual needs and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental in ensuring the success and well-being of youth at Trels.
Azul’s extraordinary commitment to excellence at Respite Care of San Antonio has provided comfort and stability to over 90 children, embodying the agency’s core values of compassion, commitment, and excellence. Her tireless efforts, including training caregivers and teachers on emergency behavior interventions during evenings and weekends, ensure the highest standards of care and inspire those around her to strive for excellence.
Mallori Gallegos, a 20-year-old single woman, began her foster care journey by taking in her five-day-old second cousin, Isaiah. Now a preschool director, she continues to support foster children and cherishes her role as a mother of three, grateful for the unexpected yet fulfilling path her life has taken.
Jeremy and Kimberly Lindsay adopted two brothers in 2020 and their half-sister in 2024, even as she battled Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Their unwavering commitment and belief in faith over fear highlight their extraordinary dedication as foster and adoptive parents.
Chris and Jennifer Matlock, overcoming cancer, fulfilled their calling by adopting Anahi at 17, who had feared aging out of foster care without a family. Their commitment to older child adoption exemplifies their embodiment of Addy’s Hope Adoption Agency’s mission, providing Anahi with a forever home and unwavering support.
Noe and Melody Garza, motivated by their desire to be parents together, swiftly embraced foster care and adoption. They provided stability, love, and nurturing to two girls, adopting them into their loving home with a special adoption finalized on Valentine’s Day, enriching their family and celebrating love. Their journey exemplifies dedication and commitment to providing children with a forever family.
Haroldo and Gloria Rodriguez stepped in to provide a stable and loving home for their grandchildren, ensuring they stayed together as a family. Their dedication led to the children achieving permanency within their care by November 2023, supported by ongoing familial bonding and compliance with state standards. They embody the essence of kinship care, prioritizing family relationships and the well-being of their grandchildren above all else.
The Zarosky Family has been foster parents for 8 years, caring for over 30 children, many with significant medical needs. They adopted their daughter Zenaiah in 2018, who has thrived despite initial challenges. Recently, they welcomed Scarlette, providing extensive medical care and adapting their home to meet her needs, including researching and implementing specialized tools for communication. They also embraced baby Michael, who has flourished under their care and is eagerly anticipated to join their forever family soon. The Zaroskys exemplify extraordinary dedication and love as foster and adoptive parents.
After 13 years of marriage, Aaron and Laura Burch adopted a sibling group of four, ranging in age from 4 to 8, and later welcomed another little girl into their family, creating a loving and nurturing home for their six children. Their dedication to using TBRI principles, home-schooling, and patient, nurturing care has transformed the children’s lives, making them polite, kind, and well-adjusted members of their community.
Julia and Andrew Bennett, dedicated foster/adoptive parents, tragically lost Andrew shortly after finalizing the adoption of Matthew in April 2024. Despite this devastating loss, Julia and their support network ensured Matthew became a permanent part of their family May 2024. Their resilience and commitment to fostering and adopting children, exemplifying love and stability, make them exceptional candidates for Adoptive Family of the Year.
Michelle Melton is a dedicated and compassionate Treatment Foster Care parent in Houston, tirelessly advocating for each child’s healing and growth. She mentors other foster parents, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to provide excellent care.
Cori Moyer is an experienced and amazing foster and adoptive parent, ensuring her foster children maintain connections with their biological families. She dedicates significant time and resources to advocating for their educational and medical needs, balancing nurture and structure beautifully.
Kristina Marvin has served therapeutic level teenage boys for 15 years, continuously seeking resources and training to meet their needs. She is highly regarded for her mentorship of other foster parents, embodying the spirit of “kids can’t wait.”
The Poe family has fostered children with unique developmental and medical needs, providing exceptional and diligent care. They maintain positive relationships with biological families and contribute to their foster care community through donations and support.
Berklee and Jeffrey Tidmore have been licensed foster parents since July 2023, providing excellent care for a newborn with trauma. They foster strong relationships with medical providers and the child’s biological family, ensuring a nurturing and supportive environment.
The Danesis have fostered seven children over six years, maintaining a positive attitude and supporting both foster and biological families with tremendous love and care. They ensure all the children’s medical and educational needs are met, displaying patience and grace throughout the fostering process.
The Greens have fostered over 70 children since 2010, specializing in keeping sibling groups together and maintaining connections with past foster children and their families. They exemplify love and support, creating a nurturing and active environment despite their age.
Robert and Sonia Arevalo, inspired by Robert’s own experience as a foster child, provide stability, comfort, and support to foster children. They mentor other foster families in their community, fostering a supportive network and demonstrating a true understanding of foster care.
The Ramseys have fostered a newborn and a sibling set, maintaining relationships with the biological family and advocating for the children’s needs. They ensure continued contact with the biological mother and invite her to all major holiday events and birthdays.
The Gosdins took in a 15-year-old girl, helping her overcome substance abuse and personal struggles, providing her with a stable, loving environment. They ensure her academic and personal growth, showing her she is valued and loved through their actions.
Ellen and Travis Harsch have been foster parents since 2018, adopting two boys and creating a nurturing environment that fosters healing and trust. They mentor other licensed families within their agency, contributing to the community with compassion and dedication.
Yolanda Washington has been a foster parent for over 10 years, specializing in children on the Autism Spectrum. She is known for her fierce advocacy and exceptional care, continuously updating her knowledge and skills to meet the children’s needs and providing a loving, supportive home.
Brittaney relocated to Texas to care for her five nieces and nephews, sacrificing her personal comfort and working to become a licensed foster parent to keep the family together. She now lives in a two-bedroom apartment with the children, giving them her full support.
After witnessing her sister’s death, Maricela took in her two nieces and nephew, providing exceptional care and advocating for their needs while pursuing justice for her sister. She ensures their mental health and educational needs are met, creating a safe and nurturing environment.
Beverly took in her six grandchildren and has tirelessly advocated for kinship caregivers, providing consistent support and resources. She engages in legislative efforts and community support initiatives to improve the lives of kinship families.
Wassela has dedicated her life to caring for her medically fragile nephew, undergoing extensive training and making home modifications for his well-being. She advocates strongly for his needs, ensuring he has a good quality of life despite his substantial needs.
Foster parents find Lisa Lopez to be very nice, friendly, and comfortable to speak with, even in her regulatory role. She is dedicated, empathetic, responsible, and efficient, providing thorough feedback and suggestions, helping to break the cycle of child abuse and empower families.
Heather Thorp is instrumental in bridging collaborative work between DFPS and Belong, bringing expertise, positivity, and unbiased perspectives. She is always available to brainstorm solutions and is the go-to expert for the Family First Prevention Services Act, sharing valuable information and fostering ongoing partnerships.
Tricia Rogers, an adoption worker at Belong, embodies unparalleled dedication and compassion in her role. Her commitment to children, especially those who have lost hope in adoption, shines through her unwavering support and positivity. Tricia’s thoroughness and dedication set a standard that her colleagues admire, making her a standout caseworker in the field of adoptions.
Shelli Nix, nominated for SSCC Staff of the Year, has dedicated 13 years as a Permanency Specialist, impacting approximately 400 children and families. Her background as a Special Education Teacher for 29 years further underscores her immeasurable impact. Shelli’s commitment to mentoring new staff, her exceptional advocacy for children with complex needs like Billy, and her unwavering dedication to their well-being define her career. Her retirement marks the end of an era marked by resilience, compassion, and transformative care, leaving a lasting legacy at Belong.
Angel, Community Engagement Coordinator at Texas Family Care Network, brings extensive child welfare and community engagement experience. She tirelessly supports children and families, raising funds, securing donations, and responding to needs promptly, day or night. Angel’s genuine care, positive attitude, and unwavering dedication make her uniquely qualified for this award.
Shari’s joyful spirit and exceptional relationship-building skills make her a pivotal force in connecting provider agencies to the community in Region 5, ensuring positive impacts for children and families. Her passion and dedication, exemplified by her leadership of the memorable Heart Galleries Launch Event, inspire everyone around her to contribute to her mission of providing safe and loving families for all children.