Kelly Hughes, FounderExecutive Director & Board President
Kelly Hughes is wife to Andrew and mama to 4 young kids, two of whom were adopted through foster care. As foster parents to eight children at different times, she and her husband were often overwhelmed at the challenges during transition times. With a burden and desire to help others in this scenario, she created the Foster Love Project to help provide placement bags. These placement bags provide dignity through transition with a real bag (instead of a trash bag), new pajamas, socks, a blanket, stuffed animal, book, soap and toothbrush/toothpaste. After the first two drives brought in over 3,000 filled bags, she knew that our city could do more to help with resources. Kelly's next vision was opening a full-time free donation center for kids in foster care and foster families. With the help of so many volunteers and community resources, this became a reality in the summer of 2017.
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Andrew HughesBoard Secretary
Andrew Hughes is an adoptive and foster dad. His great attention to detail in organization and finances has been a great aid in launching the Foster Love Project. He currently works in Test Engineering at Uber Advanced Technology Group. He has a heart to encourage other men to take the step to foster and adopt and fill this vital role in our community.
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Randy BlincowBoard Treasurer
Randy Blincow is a husband and father of four adult children. He is passionate about caring for the fatherless and, along with his wife Deanna, adopted their two youngest children from Russia. As the Executive Pastor of North Way Christian Community, Randy oversees strategic ministry development and business operations. He served in several volunteer ministry roles, on the Finance Committee, and on Elder’s Council for many years at North Way before joining the staff in 2012.
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Deanna BlincowDeanna Blincow is a disciple of Jesus Christ, wife and mother. She currently serves as Co-Director of the OrphanCare Ministry of North Way Christian Community, whose mission is to bring awareness to the church of the needs of orphans, and then to educate and equip believers to care for orphans, through adoption, fostering, mentoring and missions. Deanna and her husband Randy have 4 adult children and one daughter-in-law. They traveled to Russia to bring home their two youngest children in 1999. It is Deanna’s passion and joy to walk alongside those traveling their own journey of discovering where God has called them to serve, and to encouraging them in that journey.
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Ja-Neen JonesJa-Neen Jones is the Director of Adoption & Foster Care Services at TRAC Services for Families were she has been employed for 14 years. While this position holds multiple responsibilities she is known as the “resource person” for Western Pennsylvania regarding foster/adoption focus issues.
Ja-Neen leadership style has been instrumental in motivating and empowering others to lead. She has a vast network on professionals throughout the country. However, prides herself with coordinating the Waiting Child segments featured on the KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh. She attends dozens of events throughout the year that allow her to speak on behalf of the thousands of children throughout the state that are waiting for a family. Ja-Neen is also an adjunct professor at Allegheny County Community College (CCAC), this allows her to connect and assist students through their educational journey. She is the mother of two young adult children Jaylen and Jaz-zee, they enjoy traveling and creating new memories together. Ja-Neen is an active member of Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh and serves as the leader of the Companionship Ministry. Ja-Neen believes that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her and knows the best is yet to come. |
Summer DeanSummer is a mission-driven Christian, wife and mother, focused on impacting those she can. She has a close family member, a young lady entering adulthood, that is adopted. She is passionate about helping her and other young people navigate the obstacles they may face as they grow and mature. Summer has dedicated 10 years to mentoring teenagers and young adults and loves to help them discover their unique gifts and talents while supporting them as they maneuver unexpected challenges that may arise. Professionally, Summer has 15 years of fundraising experience and is currently a consultant for Advancement Advisors, a fundraising firm based in Pittsburgh, PA. She is married to her college sweetheart, Sean and they have 2 children Mason and Mila.
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Ray ReedRay Reed is husband to his wife Kim and father to a daughter and a son, both adopted through foster care.
Both Ray and Kim have adoption in their hearts as Kim's mother and grandmother, and Ray's best friend were adopted. As foster parents, he and his wife often felt overwhelmed by the sudden life changes and immediate needs that a new foster placement brings, and he wants to help fellow foster parents who may benefit from support along their journey. Ray is a workforce management analyst at an IT helpdesk, and is honored to use his personal and professional experience to assist the Foster Love Project. |
Jordan ShoenbergerJordan Shoenberger and his wife have served as foster parents since 2012, fostering many children between birth and teenagers. They have adopted two children through foster care at the ages of 15 and 1 and also have a birth daughter. Jordan and his wife also lead a foster and adoptive parent support group through the Children's Institute/ Project STAR and have served as trainers and speakers through Three Rivers Adoption Council, SWAN, Project STAR, Auberle, and DHS.
Professionally, Jordan currently works in nonprofit administration and serves as the Program Manager of Jeremiah's Place, Pittsburgh's only crisis nursery, providing free, emergency childcare to families experiencing difficulties. Prior to this position, Jordan worked for eight years in foster care and served as the Program Supervisor at a large foster care and adoption agency. Jordan is honored to serve the Foster Love Project as it continues to find it's full potential. |
Jeffrey AlexJeffrey Alex and his wife, Tracy, are parents to four wonderful children, two of whom were placed in their foster-to-adopt home. Through their involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters and knowing the need for loving homes for children in Pennsylvania’s child welfare system, Jeff and Tracy became foster parents shortly after getting married. They know first-hand the emotional roller coaster that foster parents experience and the Foster Love Project is a great resource to help alleviate some of that stress for parents and anxiety for children who are often placed with no more than a grocery bag of belongings. Jeff has his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh and master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. He works as an attorney with UPMC Health Plan’s Legal Department and is honored to serve Foster Love Project as its mission and footprint continues to expand in support of the foster children and families it serves.
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