Empowering Foster Children with the tools to Succeed.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.