Erin

As both a foster and adoptive mom, I have faced many emotions and twists & turns throughout my journey. But the moments that bring me the greatest joy are the moments when the kids that I have the privilege of getting to know experience true connection. I have seen the difference it makes when positive & safe relationships can be formed between families as well as the joy and security that it brings to the children. My faith continues to be the driving force behind my desire to meet the needs of the foster community in unconventional ways and is a constant reminder for me to love without borders. Having a B.A. in International Studies with a focus on Business Administration and Political Science,  I was always drawn to work in the nonprofit sector but imagined it would be abroad, never in my own backyard. I am excited to be able to use my background to put my passion for foster care into action and to ultimately encourage the foster care experience to become a united community working together to support our most vulnerable children.

​

Megan

Being a foster parent for six years, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am honored and humbled to be "the bridge" that connects and supports kids who come into care with their forever families, biological or adoptive. My favorite outreach we have done through Fostering Family Hope has been the prison visitation rooms. Giving kids and their biological parents a safe, nurturing, and fun place to play and connect has really left a special place in my heart. With a background in childcare, I know how vital the beginning years of childhood are to the development of healthy and successful children and my commitment to ensuring that children in foster care and their families have the ability to grow and strengthen their relationships is primary to Fostering Family Hope’s mission and vision for a collaborative community structure within the foster system. 

​

Heather 
Heather started her foster care journey about 10 years ago to provide kinship care for one of her family members. She never imagined what an amazing, hard, conflicting, and beautiful experience it would be. Heather now has adopted two beautiful boys through foster care and continue to foster.  She has never had such an important job and they are continually blessed by the families they take care of. Heather loves to be an advocate for these kids, and help families heal and reunite. She is  amazed at the children's resiliency and  loves to see how strong & amazing they become when they have a team of people supporting them.  Heather also loves being a support to families who are on this journey - no one quite understands unless they are in it! Heather couldn't be happier to be part of such a beautiful story!

Peter
Peter is a Director at the RISE Network, a community of educators working together to help Connecticut students succeed in high school and beyond. RISE partners with public high schools to create collaborative networks where educators use data to drive learning and improvement. Peter has a Masters in Education from Boston University School of Education and a BA in Political Science from The College of the Holy Cross.Beyond his professional work in education, Peter and his family have been dedicated foster parents since 2019, opening their home to children through respite, emergency, and long-term placements. They have experienced the full spectrum of foster care—celebrating reunifications, navigating complex legal processes, and embracing both the challenges and rewards of the system. As adoptive parents, they continue to foster in both short- and long-term situations as a Core Home. Committed to advocacy and support, Peter serves on the Foster Care Advisory Council and leads a foster parent group in southeastern Connecticut through Fostering Family Hope.

Tahji
Tahji Smith-Pringle is a proud Mother of 4 who also owns and operates Precious Treasures Academy, a preschool in North Branford CT. Her primary goal in life is to provide good quality care, education, and love to children across the world. Tahji currently holds a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College Of New York and is also working towards her master’s degree in child and Adolescent Behaviors from Southern New Hampshire University. She takes prides in being a great resource for parents and guardians who desire a loving environment for their children. As a licensed foster-parent for the state of CT, Tahji has enjoyed sharing her home with over 50 children over the past 7 years. She has worked diligently alongside DCF in several different capacities to help improve the quality of life for the families she serves. She loves children, animals, education, traveling, eating and experiencing other cultures.

Esther 
Esther Pendola is a social worker with a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a passion for strengthening families and communities. Throughout her career, she has worked in community outreach, program leadership, and resource coordination, building partnerships that expand access to services and support for children and families. Esther brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role on the board. She and her husband were licensed foster parents for eight years and adopted three children through foster care. Together, they are raising six children—three biological and three adopted. She is honored to support foster, adoptive, and kinship families and is committed to helping every child find the safety, stability, and sense of belonging they deserve.