Speakers

Teresa Clay, crowned as Miss Indy Juneteenth 2022, is committed to leaving a positive impact on her community. Entering into foster care at the age of 13, Teresa spent time in seven different foster homes. Her life experiences drove her to become an advocate for children facing similar challenges, creating a unique and empathetic perspective in her community work. She is dedicated to empowering her community through fundraising efforts, participation in local events and advisory boards, racial justice initiatives, and addressing childhood trauma. Teresa also sought to raise awareness about sexual abuse through training classes and a collaborative documentary set to release in 2024. Teresa has exemplified a profound commitment to community engagement, advocacy, and support; drawing strength from her own journey through foster care and numerous placements. Her multifaceted initiatives embodied compassion and dedication, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment, awareness, and unity within her community.

Dr. Adam Dell is Board Certified in Clinical Psychology and currently serves as the Director of Emotional Wellbeing at the Notre Dame Wellness Center. After finishing his doctoral studies, he accomplished a residency program at JBSA-Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and served 6+ years as an active duty psychologist for the US Air Force including one overseas deployment. Dr. Dell and his wife, Janine, were foster parents in 3 states over the past decade. Additionally, after years of infertility, they joyfully welcomed their daughters into their family in 2019 & 2023. Dr. Dell enjoys teaching and currently serves as an Adjunct faculty member for the graduate counseling programs at Wheaton College & Colorado State University.

Blaine Hamilton is the Foster Care & Adoption Ministry Leader at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. An adoptive Dad with ten years of experience in the foster care & adoption field, Blaine is passionate about equipping churches to care for the vulnerable children and families in their communities.

Deidra and Alliyah Smith are from Zionsville, IN. Deidra is a 2nd grade teacher in Zionsville, mother to 9, and grandmother to 4.   Alliyah is a senior at Zionsville Community High School, in cosmetology school, and works after school at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club.  After having 8 biological children, they decided to adopt through the Indiana Adoption Program.  Alliyah dreams to one day work for DCS as a social worker. 

Doshia Fifer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker focusing on trauma and trauma-related diagnosis. She is certified as a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapist and a certified clinical anxiety treatment professional. Mrs. Fifer has owned a private mental health practice, Journey Support Services, since 2016. Mrs. Fifer has extended professional experience in the child welfare sector and has served in multiple capacities over the last 15 years. Mrs. Fifer envisions a world where individuals are healed, delivered, and empowered to live fulfilled lives.

Growing up as the son of an adoption attorney, Grant Kirsh has been surrounded by adoption his entire life. As a second-generation adoption attorney, he enjoys continuing his family’s legacy in Indiana. Grant focuses his work on private newborn adoptions and foster care/kinship/DCS adoptions.

Volunteering as a crisis intervention specialist during college fueled a passion in Jared for counseling adolescents and young adults through suicidal ideation and other crises. Jared earned his undergraduate degree in Brain and Behavioral Sciences at Purdue University and went on to obtain a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Indianapolis. Jared worked with college students at a university student counseling center until he joined the team at Care to Change. He combines the use of cognitive and behavioral strategies and a deep faith in God’s healing power to help empower young people who struggle with anxiety, mood disorders, suicidal ideations, and addictions. Jared is trained in EMDR, and he also enjoys opportunities to share God’s healing by serving the community and educating others about mental health.

Jennifer Metz is an adoptive, biological, and foster mom who has also worked in the field of child welfare for 15 years. She is currently the Program Manager at Interact Family Services and has worked there for over 10 years. Jenn and her husband, Chris, have adopted two children from foster care in addition to their two biological children.

Kelly loves helping others build healthy connections to God, themselves, and others. Kelly is a certified trauma-informed parenting coach, earned a Master’s in Theological Studies from TCU, and has served in ministry for 18 years. She is an adoptive mom who has professionally worked in the foster care and adoption field for 9 years. Kelly and her husband, Blaine, serve foster and adoptive families at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Kelly and Blaine have two amazing children.

Kristi’s journey to helping others find healing and freedom is rooted in her experience with people who have felt broken, hopeless, and overwhelmed by the traumas life can bring. Kristi has also witnessed firsthand the love, redemption, and grace God has given us, and hopes to be a light of compassion, and understanding, as well as a listening ear, to those in need of help.

Several overseas mission trips and the hardships life brings have deepened Kristi’s concern for the plights of others and her determination to become a living example of Christ’s love, sharing joy and happiness. She is currently working on a degree in social work from Indiana Wesleyan University to professionalize her calling and commitment.

Kristi takes pleasure in removing life’s distractions and calling upon simplicity by surrounding herself with nature and silence. She enjoys time with her family, exercise to strengthen her body and mind, and the simple pleasure of listening to all kinds of music.

Larry Smith is the President/CEO of Fathers and Families Center. The native of Indianapolis is a father of four (including his son-in-law) and a grandfather of two. He is very passionate about helping fathers achieve their full potential inside and outside the home.

What makes people do what they do? That question has fascinated Moriah since childhood, so it’s no surprise she found herself called to counseling. While earning her undergraduate degree in psychology from Cedarville University, she served an internship at Care to Change and was particularly impressed with the approach combining the evidence-based practices she was learning in classrooms with the Biblical foundation that has long been at the center of her life. Today, Moriah has her master’s in social work from IUPUI and she enjoys serving women and teens who struggle with anxiety, depression, and trauma, especially those seeking to overcome addictions. She helps them understand the power of hope and supports them as their redemption stories unfold.

Outside of counseling, Moriah serves alongside her husband Caleb in the youth ministry at Community Church at Murphy’s Landing. The couple also lead a young adult life group at the church, and Moriah volunteers in the women’s ministry.

Mike and Reva have three grown children, two of whom joined their family through adoption. They are passionate about supporting other families who foster and adopt. Mike is the Campus and Community Connections Pastor at Trinity Church and Reva is a Licensing Specialist at Bethany Christian Services.

Rose Hawkins is an LSW and therapist. Rose’s knowledge comes from over 10 years of experience in the social work field. Her career consists of working in Lawrence Township Schools, The Villages of Indiana Foster Care Services, Parent Educator and supervisor for Indy Families, and serving on the Committee of The Villages of Indiana.

In her current role, Rose is a therapist for Journey Support Services and a Social Worker for Community Health Network Heart Clinics. As a therapist, Rose specializes in Holistic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a strengths-based therapeutic strategy that looks at a person’s wider context. Serving individuals who have gone through or are going through trauma, grief/loss, anxiety, depression, or life transition. Rose’s approach is empathetic, considerate, understanding, non-judgmental, and client-centered. Rose believes in helping individuals develop a higher level of functioning in all facets of life; by listening and offering therapeutic guidance that empowers individuals.

During her free time, she likes to run and spend time with her husband and three children. Rose believes real change is a process, which is worth the time to invest in any individual who desires it. She truly loves being a social worker because it allows her to serve a diverse population.

Shauna Whidden is the ministry leader of Foster and Adoption Care for the Assemblies of God Indiana District and the founder of Home Initiative. She and her husband have been in pastoral ministry for 19 years. As a mother of six children, three of whom were adopted from the foster care system, Shauna is committed to strengthening families, whether biological, foster, or adoptive. She partners with churches to engage and equip them with tools to reach the critical mission field of broken families and hurting kids.