About Us

Fostering Further's mission is to...

Encourage foster families

Appreciate foster caseworkers

Support 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.

Meet our Team

Yvonne Williams

Executive Director

Valerie Smith

Foster Support Director

Lori Edwards

Administrative Assistant

Our Leadership

Michael O'Brien

Board President

Anna Schott

Vice President

Will Smith

Treasurer

Melanie Fling

Secretary

Marcee Richardson

Natalie Sutyak

Patricia Werner

Bob Zaborski

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 the Foster Support Director. They manage the Grant a Wish program and help out with events and fundraising. They live in Pataskala with their 3 children.

David Wigginton

David has been practicing law in the public and private sectors since 1985. He is currently a Staff Attorney for Judge Craig R. Baldwin, Fifth District Court of Appeals. His interest in the foster care system was triggered by his experience representing Children’s Services in the Licking County Prosecutor’s Officer for several years. David currently serves on the board of Fostering Further, is the President of the Newark-Heath Rotary Club, Treasurer of the Licking County Aging Program, and a member of the Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities. David lives in Newark with his wife Tess and has two grown children.

Our Partnerships

Agencies

Churches

Organizations

Annual Reports

In the News

June 26, 2024

Yvonne Williams Named WLN of Licking County Woman of the Month

Women’s Leadership Network of Licking County

May 18, 2023

Everyday Ohio Heroes Award

Newark Advocate

March 22, 2023

Everyday Ohio Heroes Award

Ohio Children’s Trust Fund

January 1, 2022

Senatorial Citation

Learn to Drive, Learn to Thrive

July 3, 2021

Fostering Further provides transitional housing for post-foster care youth in Licking County

Newark Advocate

January 1, 2019

LMHS 2018 Lifetime Achievement Reception

Licking Memorial Health Systems

January 1, 2018

Senatorial Citation

Building a Healthier Community

December 2, 2017

For foster children, a chance for a normal childhood

Newark Advocate

May 5, 2016

Church of the Nazarene receives award

Newark Advocate

January 12, 2016

Local children create art to help foster kids

Newark Advocate

We can’t do this without your help.

Your donation helps children and young adults have a better shot at a brighter future.

Use your time and skills to make a difference in the foster care community.

About Us

Fostering Further's mission is to...

Encourage foster families

Appreciate foster caseworkers

Support emancipating youth

Show foster kids they're loved and not forgotten

Meet our Team

Yvonne Williams

Valerie Smith

Lori Edwards

Our Leadership

Michael O'Brien

Anna Schott

Will Smith

Melanie Fling

Marcee Richardson

Natalie Sutyak

Patricia Werner

Bob Zaborski

Tiffany Davis

Dana Decker

Michael O’Brien

Marcee Richardson

Natalie Sutyak

Yvonne Williams

Valerie Smith

David Wigginton

Our Partnerships

Agencies

Churches

Organizations

Annual Reports

2023 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

In the News

Everyday Ohio Heroes Award

Everyday Ohio Heroes Award

Senatorial Citation

Senatorial Citation

Yvonne Williams Named WLN of Licking County Woman of the Month

Everyday Ohio Heroes Award

Everyday Ohio Heroes Award

Senatorial Citation

Fostering Further provides transitional housing for post-foster care youth in Licking County

LMHS 2018 Lifetime Achievement Reception

Senatorial Citation

For foster children, a chance for a normal childhood

Church of the Nazarene receives award

Local children create art to help foster kids

We can’t do this without your help.