Founders

---

Fostering Grace was founded on our understanding of the specific needs of the foster care community. We wanted to start a non-profit for children coming into care and for them to get the hygiene products, clothing, and necessities they deserved from the trauma they had come from or had been subjected to. I sometimes think of myself as being in that situation, or in that of my own children. My parents got divorced when I was just 11 years old. To me, that was a traumatic experience, losing the ones you loved through divorce. These children in foster care are experiencing more mental issues than we will ever know about. Imagine leaving behind everything you have ever loved or known as routine. They are leaving their mom and dad, a home, material things, and any sense of normality that they have. Fostering Grace not only wants
to help and support these children but also those who are on the front lines helping them and providing a loving and caring home. We are commanded in the Bible to take care of the orphans and widows, being the very hands and feet of Jesus himself. Some may think to themself, well, foster parents were called to this, so they got this, but we are in the crosshairs, we are trying to take care of our own families and also everything else. We need support; we need our church family to hold up our hands when we struggle to walk in this ministry. We need someone to say We see you. How can we help? Something as small as a thank you card, a gift card to a restaurant, a grocery store gift card, a night out, or even just a hug from time to time. Fostering Grace was created to stand in the gap in the foster community and to support those who are struggling with whatever life throws at them! We help not just the Foster community but also DSS, single moms and dads, respite care, kinship care, and adoption. We want to be the ones people call on when they are in a crisis and need someone to run to for help. God laid it on our hearts to start this non-profit because we knew, after we were blessed with our first placement, that we had needs. We needed a crib, a car seat, diapers and wipes, clothing, and bottles. My husband and I are very thankful for the people who stood in the gap for us at a time of need. And that is what we want to be for others at Fostering Grace. We have three children of our own, and we have been foster parents since 2023.

Abby was raised in Georgia and now lives in Denver, North Carolina, with her family, two cats, and a therapy dog. She and her family began their foster care journey in 2022 and have welcomed five children into their home—each one leaving a lasting impact and teaching them invaluable lessons about resilience, trust, and love.

As a school administrator, Abby is passionate about supporting children both in and out of the classroom. She finds joy in spending time outdoors and caring for animals, and she is grateful to be able to play a small part in the foster care community. Through Fostering Grace, Abby is honored to come alongside local foster families, offering encouragement, resources, and support as they open their homes and hearts.

 Matthew and Adaira became foster parents after seeing a need they couldn’t ignore. They have a heart for supporting children in foster care and encouraging the families who love and care for them. Together, they enjoy serving their community any way they can—whether it’s leading their church life group, helping in the student ministry, or volunteering with the East Lincoln Optimist Club and other local initiatives. They feel blessed to be part of Fostering Grace and are excited to make a lasting difference for children and families in Lincoln County.