Executive Director

Justin and Christie Hayes’ foster and adoption journey actually began with global orphan care. While serving for 8 years with a ministry in East Africa they saw the selfless ways that African believers were caring for orphans in their own communities by inviting them into their humble homes. They knew God wanted to use them as well, so they adopted two children out of foster care. Now with six children, they see foster care as a wonderful ministry their whole family can share while walking along the journey with other families.

Training Specialist

Tiffany and David are the parents of two wonderful young adults who have each added to the family through marriage. Tiffany holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention) Practitioner. Together, David and Tiffany have over 25 years of experience in the world of foster care and desire to support foster and adoptive parents who are providing healing spaces for children from hard places.

Engagement Coordinator

Matt and Jennie Ravanesi are parents to two girls and have been foster parents to many children. They have a hope for others to experience a deep relationship with Jesus and the hope we have in Christ wherever the Lord calls them to serve.  Jennie and her family have served at Grace Community Church where Matt has been on staff since 2014 as the Campus Development Pastor and Jennie has led in women’s ministry, children’s ministry and Families Count.  One of Jennie’s roles at The Fostering Collective is to help guide couples and individuals who are feeling called to foster or adopt on those first steps to begin the licensing process.  Sharing her experiences—the blessings and challenges—with others to help ease any uncertainty surrounding foster care/adoption, so that families can keep their focus and trust in Jesus as He leads them through their journey.

Director of Finance and Operations

Traci, her husband Sammy, and their two children have lived in Whitehouse since 2009. Traci brings many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to our ministry as a counselor and a program administrator for one of the child placing agencies. Her professional perspective helps to assist families as they navigate the system, find resources and gain opportunities to love families well.

Megan, along with her husband Jacob, have been babysitters through the Fostering Collective for two years. She has the desire to not only come alongside families in a practical way but also to help get the word out about the need for respite care for foster families. Megan serves at Grace Community Church as the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at the University Boulevard campus.

Sam and his wife Lisa have been married for twenty-four years and have four children. Their family has served the past twelve years in various public service roles, holding leadership roles at Sky Ranch Christian Camps and was the Director of Acquire the Fire with Teen Mania Ministries.  Currently, Sam is the owner and operator of a small construction company based in Lindale, Texas.  Sam lives his life serving Jesus wholeheartedly and as an adoptive father, is honored to walk alongside other adoptive families at The Fostering Collective.  

Dawson and Kali Barksdale are the proud parents of three princesses. Dawson has the honor of serving Local Car Wash in a leadership role as the Founder and Owner. Dawson believes the best way to show Jesus to others is taking care of orphans, which his role allows him to do at a larger scale by serving The Fostering Collective. He is an experienced entrepreneur who believes his life mission is to help others reach their fullest potential and pursue their dreams well. When people are equipped to pursue their dreams, and encouraged to do so, the world becomes better as a result.