About Us
Vision | Mission | History | Board | Staff
About Us
Vision | Mission | History | Board | Staff
Our Vision
A united foster community where every child and parent is supported, celebrated, and empowered to thrive.
Our Mission
Connecting foster, adoptive, and kinship families with an aligned support network of nonprofits, churches, government, and community volunteers.
Our Vision
A united foster community where every child and parent is supported, celebrated, and empowered to thrive.
Our Mission
Connecting foster, adoptive, and kinship families with an aligned support network of nonprofits, churches, government, and community volunteers.
Foster Coalition Story
After gathering research from over 40 foster care organizations around Alabama, Foster Coalition was established in March 2021 to unite local advocates of foster care to solve the crucial physical, emotional, and educational needs of the 5,000 to 10,000 children in foster care.
The following national foster statistics provide a motivational source to improve situations in the foster system:
- 1 in 184 children has been in the foster system.
- Between 5,000 and 10,000 are in Alabama foster care on any given day. Visit Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) for current statistics: Alabama DHR Foster Care.
- 65% of children rescued from sex trafficking have been in foster care. Their life expectancy is only seven years.
- 70% of people in prison in many states have been in foster care.
- 20% of the aged-out are immediately homeless.
- 76% of foster children are reunited with their family in the allotted processing period IF they have only ONE DHR caseworker. It drops to 20% when there is more than one caseworker, and an extended stay in the system.
- 50% of the aged out do not have a legal means of support after five years.
- And it goes on and on!! More statistics are available on national websites, including Christian Alliance for Orphans and Promise686.
Foster Coalition Story
After gathering research from over 40 foster care organizations around Alabama, Foster Coalition was established in March 2021 to unite local advocates of foster care to solve the crucial physical, emotional, and educational needs of the 5,000 to 10,000 children in foster care.
The following national foster statistics provide a motivational source to improve situations in the foster system:
- 1 in 184 children has been in the foster system.
- Between 5,000 and 10,000 are in Alabama foster care on any given day. Visit Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) for current statistics: Alabama DHR Foster Care.
- 65% of children rescued from sex trafficking have been in foster care. Their life expectancy is only seven years.
- 70% of people in prison in many states have been in foster care.
- 20% of the aged-out are immediately homeless.
- 76% of foster children are reunited with their family in the allotted processing period IF they have only ONE DHR caseworker. It drops to 20% when there is more than one caseworker, and an extended stay in the system.
- 50% of the aged out do not have a legal means of support after five years.
- And it goes on and on!! More statistics are available on national websites, including Christian Alliance for Orphans and Promise686.
Our Board of Directors
David Sumner (Board Chair)
Manufacturer’s Representative at Georgia Pacific. Recent graduate of the Highlands College Leadership Institute.
Jeff Cofield
Manager in Human Resources and Disability Mangaement at Alabama Power/Southern Company.
Zach Sharp
Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Serves as Vice President of Construction for DSLD Land Management Company (family business). Grew up with foster and adopted siblings since age nine. Zach has a heart for children in foster care and has seen firsthand the ups and downs of the system.
Amanda Manzanilla
Children’s Policy Council Coordinator for Shelby County, founder of The Hangar clothing closet. Amanda has fostered and adopted children from the foster system and supports aged-out youth.
Sheila Thomas
Sheila has a BSBA degree in accounting from Auburn University at Montgomery. She has worked in various accounting positions prior to retirement.
Sarah Dale Harmon
Marketing Consultant for financial institutions and FI vendors. Sarah Dale and her husband have adopted two sets of siblings from the foster system.
Our Board of Directors
David Sumner (Board Chair)
Manufacturer’s Representative at Georgia Pacific. Recent graduate of the Highlands College Leadership Institute.
Jeff Cofield
Manager in Human Resources and Disability Mangaement at Alabama Power/Southern Company.
Zach Sharp
Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Serves as Vice President of Construction for DSLD Land Management Company (family business). Grew up with foster and adopted siblings since age nine. Zach has a heart for children in foster care and has seen firsthand the ups and downs of the system.
Amanda Manzanilla
Children’s Policy Council Coordinator for Shelby County, founder of The Hangar clothing closet. Amanda has fostered and adopted children from the foster system and supports aged-out youth.
Sheila Thomas
Sheila has a BSBA degree in accounting from Auburn University at Montgomery. She has worked in various accounting positions prior to retirement.
Sarah Dale Harmon
Marketing Consultant for financial institutions and FI vendors. Sarah Dale and her husband have adopted two sets of siblings from the foster system.
Our Staff
Derek Tan - Executive Director
Outreach, community and church partnerships, fundraising
[email protected]
Kelly Alligood - Operations & Education
Event planning and coordination, education, outreach, operations, administrative
[email protected]
Taylor Hanson - Marketing & Communications
Marketing, press releases, content creation, administrative
[email protected]
Baylor Padgett - Development & Grants
Fundraising, outreach, development and grant associate, donor relations
Nancy Coker - Administrative Assistant
Administrative, education, events, church and donor relations
[email protected]
Our Staff
Derek Tan - Executive Director
Outreach, community and church partnerships, fundraising
[email protected]
Kelly Alligood - Operations & Education
Event planning and coordination, education, outreach, operations, administrative
[email protected]
Taylor Hanson - Marketing & Communications
Marketing, press releases, content creation, administrative
[email protected]
Baylor Padgett - Development & Grants
Fundraising, outreach, development and grant associate, donor relations
Nancy Coker - Administrative Assistant
Administrative, education, events, church and donor relations
[email protected]
Thank you for joining us to fulfill this incredible mission and vision. Stay connected for updates, tips, and more!
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