STAFF

Our Staff

Caring for Carers Team

Mary Blake

Southern Coordinator

mary@fosteringhope.net.au

Mary Blake

Mary is the founder and Executive Officer of Fostering Hope. Mary came to Fostering Hope after working in the community research and policy after studying community development and international law. She combines this experience with the lived experience of being a foster and respite carer. Mary and her boys attend C3 Church in South Hobart. The rest of Mary’s time is spent being a mum to five active boys and involved in their communities.

BIO

Bec de Jong

Northern Coordinator

bec@fosteringhope.net.au

Bec De Jong

Bec is the Northern Coordinator for Fostering Hope, her two roles are to engage with the Christian community about the work of Fostering Hope and to pastorally and practically support foster, kinship, and informal carers in Launceston. She has spent much of her career in the legal industry, Christian education and in both State and Federal Politics. Bec and her husband have two ragdoll felines who use what little energy they have to eat and leave their fur everywhere. She enjoys planning and hosting events, playing and watching sports and attends the Southern Presbyterian Church in Launceston.

BIO

Natalia Ross

Northwest Coordinator

natalia@fosteringhope.net.au

Natalia Ross

Natalia is our Northwest Coordinator, her role is to provide a support network for carers in the northwest of the state, providing carers with an extra level of support as they care for kids in care. Natalia comes from a diverse background supporting children in learning how to learn, she has worked in the Department of Education, Christian education and early intervention services. Natalia finds genuine love for making others feel seen, valued, and supported. Outside of work, together with her husband, Natalia is a mum to four children, one of whom has special needs, she spends time with friends and enjoys walking her dog. Natalia attends Burnie Lifehouse Church.

BIO

Mentoring Team

Ellie Firth

Mentoring Coordinator

ellie@fosteringhope.net.au

Ellie Firth

Ellie is our Mentoring Coordinator, overseeing our Mentoring Program; this includes training all our volunteer mentors and working with our mentoring team to screen, match and provide ongoing support for mentors for kids growing up in Out of Home Care. She is a professional mentor and mentor trainer with Deeply Formed, she also co-teaches the Graduate Certificate of Christian Mentoring at Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC). Ellie attends St Mark’s Bellerive Anglican Church. Outside of her mentoring roles Ellie loves to read and spending time with good friends.

BIO

Sara Verdouw

Statewide Mentoring Officer

sara@fosteringhope.net.au

Sara Verdouw

Sara is the Statewide Mentoring Officer with Fostering Hope, where she supports and encourages volunteer mentors as they walk alongside children and young people in care. As a mum of four adult children, she brings life experience, along with a background in children’s ministry and administration, and a heart for people.

Sara enjoys building relationships and helping others feel connected, valued, and supported. She attends St Clements Anglican Church, where she is involved in welcoming and supporting young families. Sara is committed to helping people know they are not alone on the journey.

Bio

Organisation Wide

Mary Blake

Executive Officer

mary@fosteringhope.net.au

Mary Blake

BIO

Kylie Henderson

Administration Officer

kylie@fosteringhope.net.au

Kylie Henderson

Kylie is our Administration Officer. She is based in Hobart, and her role is to provide support for the state-wide team. Kylie works with us part-time and has a background in finance and payroll management. She also works as Accounts Manager for Citywide Baptist Church. Kylie currently attends Hobart Baptist Church where her husband is the pastor. Kylie is a mum with two boys, both of whom are on the autism spectrum. She is passionate about inclusion and neurodiversity advocacy.

BIO

Position Filled

Foster and kinship Carer Chaplain

hello@fosteringhope.net.au

Coming Soon

Board Members

John Morse – Chair – chair@fosteringhope.net.au
Mark Patmore – Treasurer – finance@fosteringhope.net.au
Esme Clarke
David Miklos
Dorothy Roberts
Maddy Svoboda
Sandy Whight