We can't wait to see you at our annual event.
We are committed to making sure you enjoy our event. That is why we are offering Childcare for any foster parents that will be attending the conference.
Day: Saturday
Date: September 30
Time: 8:30am-3:30pm
Place: Yuma Civic Center
1440 W Desert Hills Dr, Yuma, AZ 85365
Gary Webb is a licensed pastor with the Assemblies of God in Phoenix, Arizona. He holds a B.A. in Pastoral Studies from Oral Roberts University, with over 28 years of experience in youth and children's ministry. He has been married for 38 years and has three children, ages 32, 29, and 23.
Gary and his wife Tammie served as Youth Pastors i
Gary Webb is a licensed pastor with the Assemblies of God in Phoenix, Arizona. He holds a B.A. in Pastoral Studies from Oral Roberts University, with over 28 years of experience in youth and children's ministry. He has been married for 38 years and has three children, ages 32, 29, and 23.
Gary and his wife Tammie served as Youth Pastors in Phoenix for 23 years, organizing enriching programs like summer camps, mission trips, and discipleship mentoring initiatives.
Gary is the President and founder of a youth non-profit organization, OCJ Kids (Opportunity, Community, and Justice for Kids). OCJ Kids currently reaches out to over 15,000 foster children in Arizona through in-home mentor visits, season outreach events, field trips, and nationwide community partners. OCJ has been serving foster and at-risk children and youth in Arizona since 1996.
Gary published his first book in October 2009, "150 Ways to Connect". This book provides insight into the world of foster care and the many opportunities the local communities have to connect with foster children and youth across Arizona. Gary's second book, "Connecting with the Faceless Generation," was released in April 2013.
Gary served on the planning committee for Arizona's annual Faith Summit for Foster Care and Adoption at the State Capitol for three years. He also served on the Governor's Council for After School Services. Gary is currently an A/G US Missions National Office Compassion Care Council Committee member. In 2015, OCJ Kids received the Governor's Shining Star Award for community service. Gary also serves as President of the North Phoenix Kiwanis Club.
Gary and Tammie are currently U.S. Missionaries through the Assemblies of God. This appointment has opened the door to reproduce the OCJ Kids Fostering Connection model in local communities throughout the United States. Gary currently serves as the Committee Chair for the Arizona Foster Care Network.
Gary has spoken for conferences, youth camps, school assemblies, and city-wide youth outreaches locally and overseas in the Philippines, Tanzania, Africa, India, and New Zealand.
Tori Bourguignon, a Yuma native, has been serving her community since 1994.
Tori started her career as a teacher, high school counselor, and counseling coordinator before serving as the crisis response coordinator for Amberly's Place in 2007. Tori held that position until 2016, when she accepted a position as a counselor at the Yuma Coun
Tori Bourguignon, a Yuma native, has been serving her community since 1994.
Tori started her career as a teacher, high school counselor, and counseling coordinator before serving as the crisis response coordinator for Amberly's Place in 2007. Tori held that position until 2016, when she accepted a position as a counselor at the Yuma County Juvenile Court (AzTec High School), working with adjudicated youth.
In 2018, Tori began working for UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior-Nathanson Family Resilience Center as a Clinical Specialist/FOCUS Resilience Trainer for Military Families and Couples. Tori is a certified Resilience Trainer for both couples and families. In May 2021, Tori was selected as the Executive Director of Amberly's Place, Yuma County's only family advocacy center.
Tori has been an adjunct faculty member in graduate and undergraduate Counseling, Human Services, and Family Studies programs for Northern Arizona University-Yuma and the University of Arizona- Yuma Campuses.
Tori holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and two Master of Counseling degrees. She is happily married to her partner in crime, Chris, and together they have two adult children, Grady and Kaylee, and one dog, Fluff Daddy. She is a proud ToTo (Grandma) to her 1-year-old grandson, Cooper, and they are expecting their second grandson in October 2023.
Chanetta Stewart has spent over 25 years engaged in system reform for foster youth. Mrs. Stewart was in the Arizona Child Welfare system for 16 years aging out of care at 18 years old. Mrs. Stewart’s desire for system reform and the championing of foster youth rights started very early; at 16 years old serving on Governor Janet Napolitan
Chanetta Stewart has spent over 25 years engaged in system reform for foster youth. Mrs. Stewart was in the Arizona Child Welfare system for 16 years aging out of care at 18 years old. Mrs. Stewart’s desire for system reform and the championing of foster youth rights started very early; at 16 years old serving on Governor Janet Napolitano’s Youth Advocacy Counsel championing foster youth rights for transition age youth. Mrs. Stewart has a bachelors in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration. In 2009, Mrs. Stewart worked assisting foster youth in Florence, Alabama in developing their advocacy skills and the development of their Foster Youth Council. Mrs. Stewart moved to back to Arizona to work as a front line case worker in 2014 to understand the impacts of caseload on retention of case workers at the local level. Mrs. Stewart worked in the Arizona Department of Child Welfare for seven years with her last role as Assistant Legislative Liaison. Mrs. Stewart has also served on community based government boards centered around child welfare advocacy served as Chairwomen of the Onward Hope Board of Directors. Mrs. Stewart currently is the Region 8 and Region 9 State and Territory Liaison for the Center for States Capacity Building Center. Mrs. Stewart is Owner of CJ’s Blessing and Co-Owner of The Ripple Society LLC. Mrs. Stewart is a loving wife and stepmother to two wildly hilarious children and two fully spoiled cats.
Edward Gilligan is the Director of Juvenile Court Services in Yuma, Arizona. In a professional career spanning three decades, he has held executive leadership positions in two branches of government, the private sector, juvenile and adult probation departments, urban and rural communities, and in organizations small and large. Edward prid
Edward Gilligan is the Director of Juvenile Court Services in Yuma, Arizona. In a professional career spanning three decades, he has held executive leadership positions in two branches of government, the private sector, juvenile and adult probation departments, urban and rural communities, and in organizations small and large. Edward prides himself on building resilient, forward-looking teams that capitalize on each member’s strengths, use data to enhance decision-making, and fearlessly embrace change to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities.
Edward holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in Management and Executive Leadership. He attributes his success to never striving to be successful and believes the most fundamentally important choices one makes are to choose one’s attitude and one’s path. He is committed to helping others fall into success by choosing joy and living with purpose.
He and his wife of 21 years enjoy hiking with their three-year-old cattle dog, watching the surf break along the Pacific coast, discovering new wine, and attending just about any concert or improv comedy night.
Erik Freeman has been a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual since 1996. With over 25 years of experience, Erik has been able to help his clients achieve their financial goals, as well as protect their families and businesses. He is known not only for his knowledge in the field, but also for his excellent advice and the strong relati
Erik Freeman has been a Financial Advisor for Northwestern Mutual since 1996. With over 25 years of experience, Erik has been able to help his clients achieve their financial goals, as well as protect their families and businesses. He is known not only for his knowledge in the field, but also for his excellent advice and the strong relationships he builds with his clients. Erik furthered his education by obtaining the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation so he can assist special needs families financially plan. Without this designation, most financial advisors would
not have the knowledge needed to be able to help these families.
Erik and his wife Carrie are proud of their 2 wonderful children they foster adopted. Erik recognizes the challenges a foster family goes through and can help them understand the financial challenges that may await them if they adopt a child.
Many children who are adopted out of foster care have gone through significant trauma. A child you may consider adopting could have special needs. Erik can provide insight into the planning that needs to be done to help protect the child for their life. He has shared his expertise in special needs planning with many organizations.
If you would like to contact Erik, you can reach him at 760-960-3145 or by email at erik.freeman@nm.com.
Maricela M. Medina Monge is a passionate advocate for child welfare in the Yuma, AZ community.
Born in Mexicali, Mexico, and raised between Mexicali and Imperial, CA, Maricela has always had a heart to serve others.
Equipped with a Business Administration degree from City University of Seattle and CETYS University in Mexicali, her pass
Maricela M. Medina Monge is a passionate advocate for child welfare in the Yuma, AZ community.
Born in Mexicali, Mexico, and raised between Mexicali and Imperial, CA, Maricela has always had a heart to serve others.
Equipped with a Business Administration degree from City University of Seattle and CETYS University in Mexicali, her passion for organizational culture
and human resources led her to take meaningful steps in leadership development for herself and those she serves.
Maricela moved to Yuma to start a family and begin a career with the Department of Child Safety (DCS). She's been an integral part of the DCS fabric for eight years,
rising through the ranks from a Case Aide to her current role as a Program Supervisor. She's garnered recognition throughout her tenure, earning accolades
like the "Champion of Change Award" in 2015 and the "Southwest Region All-Star" in 2019. Beyond her professional achievements, Maricela's role as a
proud mother and wife are at the core of her values. She believes in the power of small actions to create lasting impacts and aspires to instill this belief in her children.
Maricela's journey is a testament to her belief in hard work, collaboration, and the transformative power of community.
Mary Megui lives in the beautiful city of Yuma, Arizona, and began her journey with DCS in Yuma as an intern in 2005; her dedication and passion saw her rise through the
ranks—serving as a Case Aide, Investigative Specialist, and Investigative Supervisor—before taking the helm as Program Manager in 2011.
Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Social
Mary Megui lives in the beautiful city of Yuma, Arizona, and began her journey with DCS in Yuma as an intern in 2005; her dedication and passion saw her rise through the
ranks—serving as a Case Aide, Investigative Specialist, and Investigative Supervisor—before taking the helm as Program Manager in 2011.
Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Northern Arizona University and credentials as a Certified Public Manager, her professional accomplishments are noteworthy.
Mary's history has given her a unique perspective and zeal for social work. Growing up in circumstances that should have required intervention, she emerged with an
enduring passion for the child welfare field and a relentless drive to bring hope and healing to families. This passion extends to her own home.
Mary and her husband opened their hearts and doors as foster parents, creating bonds so strong that these children remain an integral part of their lives.
Today, Mary's greatest joy and pride is her family, which includes nine grown children and eleven grandchildren. Three of these grandchildren, having been adopted, hold a special place in her heart.
Mary fervently believes in the power of community collaboration. She champions the cause of uniting communities in advocacy and support for children, families, and all those who commit to serving them.
Scott is a Colorado Native who was transplanted to Yuma in 1998. His heart will always have a place for the Rocky Mountains, but his roots are in Yuma.
He is married with two grown children and four grandchildren and serves as an Associate Pastor at Stone Ridge Church.
This conference came from promptings from God to offer encouragement and support to those in the child welfare system. When you come,
you will experience his passion and love for what this conference means.
One man, being called by an opportunity and driven by several divine nudges, called together a group of stakeholders, primarily professionals, and asked the question, “Is there a need for this kind of conference and support in Yuma County?” The answer was a clear and resounding ”Yes!” So it began…but the end of the story has yet to be written.
Fostering Hope Yuma’s mission is to empower and support individuals involved in foster care, including foster children, foster parents, social workers and our local community. Our conference brings together like-minded individuals and organizations dedicated to creating a nurturing community, providing stable homes, and advocating for equitable policies in the foster care system. Through insightful discussions, collaborative workshops, and shared experiences, we strive to inspire and equip attendees to make a meaningful impact and transform the lives of those touched by foster care.
Supporting, loving and successfully graduating foster care kids into adulthood every single foster care/adopted child, in every family, through the resources of our community. One child, one family, one community fostering hope.
Our team is made up of people from the foster care organizations and the Yuma community who are engaged either directly in Foster Care or are a support to the Foster Care community. We are made up of social workers, pastors, business executives, educators and support organizations.
Please reach us at if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes!
Childcare will be available for current foster care parents attending the conference free of cost. Location TBA
As a Foster Care Parent - Resources, support and connection
As a potential Foster Care Parent - Resources, answers to questions, direction
As a church or community organization - How to come along side and support Foster Care Families.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission. Click the button below or email us at sponsor@fosteringhopeyuma.com
We love our yuma community. Feel free to contact us today!
Fostering Hope
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