About Us

Fostering Further's mission is to...

Support foster families

Appreciate foster caseworkers

Encourage emancipating youth

Show foster kids they're loved and not forgotten

Our goal is to create a healthy, supportive relationship between community members and those involved in foster care in central Ohio.

Our Leadership

As a small non-profit, our volunteer board members are passionate about our mission.

Tiffany Davis

Tiffany is employed at the Licking County Coalition for Housing as the Transitional Housing Supervisor. She is a new member of the board for Fostering Further and currently on the task force for Hope Landing. She has compassion to help others in our society find resources and adequate housing. Tiffany and her husband live in Newark with their two sons.

Dana Decker

Dana is a high school teacher who deeply believes in the capabilities of kids in foster care, particularly the three who have come into their family permanently. She is secretary of the board and manages Fostering Further’s social media presence. Dana and her husband live in the Licking Valley school district with their two youngest children.

Michael O’Brien

Mike is treasurer of Fostering Further, as well as the Chief Financial Officer of First Federal Savings in Newark. He is also a licensed CPA. He and his wife Amy live in Westerville with their four children.

Marcee Richardson

Marcee is president of the board at Fostering Further. She is an Intellectual Property Specialist, volunteer in the church and community organizations. She and her husband Brad live in Newark with their daughter.

Natalie Sutyak

Natalie is an author, educator, day care provider, abstinence instructor for Heartbeats of Licking County, and stay-at-home mom, as well as a former foster parent. She uses these skills to help with Fostering Further events and fundraising. She and her husband Matt live in Newark with their youngest of three children yet to leave the nest.

Yvonne Williams

Yvonne created the Starting Strong program at Fostering Further, manages Hope Landing, and has spent many years working and volunteering for non-profit organizations. Yvonne and Rob are adjusting to their newly emptied nest in Pataskala as their three boys have recently launched into their adult lives.

Valerie Smith

Valerie and her husband Will created Fostering Further in 2013 and she currently serves as our Executive Director. They manage the Grant a Wish program and help out with events and fundraising. They live in Pataskala with their 3 children.

Jay Young

Jay has been the President-CEO of TrueCore Federal Credit Union for the last 16 years. He believes strongly in creating a family-oriented work culture and encouraging his team to volunteer and give back to the community. He currently serves on the Boards of Fostering Further, Licking Memorial Hospital, and the Food Pantry Network of Licking County. He is also a member of the Newark-Heath Rotary. When he is not working or volunteering, he is spending time with his four grandchildren and his wife Eloise, traveling to Florida, or visiting national parks.