MEET OUR TEAM

Katie came to A Mother’s Hope in January of 2023 with experience working in an inpatient psychiatric unit, providing in-home health care, and working with at-risk youth.  She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work and believes in the importance of incorporating social work values not only in her work, but in her day-to-day life.

Recently, Katie began her journey into motherhood with her son who was born in June of 2022, and recognizes the importance of having a strong support system while pregnant and raising a baby.

Katie has experience working with diverse populations facing a variety of obstacles, and loves to see the success of each individual as they reach their full potential.  Her responsibilities at AMH include assisting mother’s in gaining financial recovery, self-sufficiency, and housing stability through case management. She works closely with each resident and has weekly case management sessions with each of them to help make weekly goals, create schedules, work on finances, and to tackle any obstacles that they may be facing. She supports each mother and her baby while ensuring program expectations are met.

Every day, Katie strives to ensure she is a support for all residents as well as her colleagues. She believes strongly in open communication, honesty, and love. Katie greets every obstacle as an opportunity to grow and to better herself. Katie has an open mind and recognizes the importance of being able to think outside of the box in order to respect the individuality of each person.

“I feel absolutely blessed to be a part of the amazing team at A Mother’s Hope, and to be able to be a support for the women and their babies.”

Jackie started at A Mother’s Hope in February of 2022 as a second-shift Resident Advisor. She moved into the role of House Manager in August of 2022. Jackie comes to A Mother's Hope with over thirty-five years of experience in the Allen County Sheriff Department's Civil Division.

An overview of her primary responsibilities include performing daily room checks, assigning weekly chores, teaching life skills and parenting classes, creating weekly menus, transporting residents, inventorying supplies, and monitoring health appointments. She works closely with the Case Manager to support each woman at A Mother's Hope.

Most importantly, Jackie keeps structure in the home by enforcing rules and policies while also holding residents accountable for their actions with grace. 

She also teaches life skills to residents, such as preparing meals, laundry, cooperative relationships, conflict management, and how to keep a home clean. 

She assists new residents as they become familiar with the routine of the home and introduces them to house community. She is the first face a new residents sees and she welcomes them with love and kindness.

Most days at A Mother's Hope begin with Jackie making breakfast which is  a way for her to share her love fore each resident as the new day begins.  Sharing hope is truly at the core of who Jackie is!

Kristy started at A Mother’s Hope in February of 2022 as a Program Assistant. She moved into the role of Outreach Coordinator in October of 2023. Kristy comes to A Mother's Hope with over twenty years of experience in the corporate world. Her experience in project management, organizational methods, research, team leading,  and creative problem-solving have benefitted all at A Mother's Hope. 

Her primary responsibilities are to work with community partners in order to share the mission of AMH and involve them in its fulfillment, which she does by researching new opportunities for advancing our mission with other nonprofits, faith-based organizations, corporations, and community groups.

As the Outreach Coordinator, she does a little bit of everything. Her to-do list may include recruiting, training and scheduling volunteers, coordinating class speakers and teachers, coordinating donation drives, record keeping, and collecting data for grants. 

These tasks come secondary though to the care and support she gives to residents via providing for their needs, being a listening ear, and creating silly moments at A Mother’s Hope. 

“Working at A Mother’s Hope has opened my heart in ways I never could have imagined. Each day, as I interact with residents, volunteers, staff, and community supporters, I feel incredibly blessed to serve God’s children in amazing and humble ways. I wholeheartedly embrace the belief that ‘People won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel,’ as beautifully articulated by Maya Angelou. Through simple acts, we can express the love of Jesus by ensuring we welcome, see, value, love, and support every person we encounter. My time at AMH has been transformative, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact.”

Sydney began her role as the Communications and Marketing Coordinator at A Mother’s Hope in July of 2023 just a few short months after graduating from college.

Sydney earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Journalism Concentration and Public Relations minor from Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW). 

While at PFW, she completed a summer internship as a media and marketing intern at a nonprofit organization in LaGrange, IN called Reason 4 Hope.  There she learned more about the importance of social media and marketing within the realm of nonprofit organizations. 

After a short summer working for Reason 4 Hope and seeing how her role had such a positive impact on the community and youth of LaGrange, Sydney knew she wanted to pursue her postgraduate career in the nonprofit world. 

As the Communications and Marketing Coordinator at A Mother’s Hope, Sydney’s day-to-day responsibilities include capturing photos in and around the house, managing AMH's social media accounts, publishing promotional materials, helping to produce annual reports, assisting with event planning, grant writing, and many other important tasks. 

“I love knowing that the work I’m doing is bringing more awareness to significant issues in our community that need to be addressed. Media and marketing open new doors of opportunity for us here at A Mother’s Hope which, in return, allows us to have our voices heard and make a monumental difference within the city of Fort Wayne.”

 You're in good hands with Shay, who serves as our dedicated Administrative Assistant here at A Mother’s Hope. She is thrilled to be part of the team and brings a wealth of experience to support the ministry of AMH.

Shay graduated from Ivy Tech Community College of Fort Wayne in 2016 with an Office Administration Degree.  In addition she comes to us with 10 years of experience in ministry related administrative roles. Shay has honed skills that allow her to navigate the intricacies of ministry operations with ease. She understands that the behind-the-scenes work is vital in supporting our frontline efforts in achieving our goals. 

What sets Shay apart is her passion for ministry work. She firmly believes that every document she files, every appointment she schedules, and every detail she attends contributes directly to the organization's success. She wholeheartedly embraces our mission and sees her role as a way to use her gifts to honor God.

Shay is not just an administrator; she is committed to the ministry of A Mother’s Hope. She recognizes the significance of this ministry, and her commitment extends beyond her administrative duties. She is always looking for ways to contribute more and make a lasting impact.

"It is deeply important to me that people are seen, loved, and encouraged to thrive in all walks of life. That is exactly what you experience in the day-to-day operations of the ministry that is A Mother's Hope."

 Erin started at A Mother’s Hope in April of 2024 as the Business Manager. She is returning to the organization after completing an internship here in 2021. 

After working closely with the AMH management team, Erin developed a love for the nonprofit sector. She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies, and then went on to earn a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport. 

Throughout college and after graduation Erin spent time gaining experience with various populations. She has worked closely with those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and children in the foster care system. Most recently she spent a year as an educator teaching healthy relationships in schools in Fort Wayne and the surrounding areas. The opportunity to  join the team at A Mother’s Hope came to her at a perfect time, and she owes it all to the power of prayer! 

Erin’s responsibilities include managing finances, data tracking, record keeping, supporting efforts for fundraising events, and overall trying to jump  in wherever she can to help take things off of other staff members’ overflowing plates! 

“Ever since my internship, it has been my dream to  come back to A Mother’s Hope. The beautiful work that we do for women and babies is so unique. It is amazing to see how each step of the process is ordered through Christ towards the dignity of the women that we serve. I know that each resident is led by the faith, strength, and humility that all our staff members exemplify. I am so grateful to be a part of this mission!”

 Meet April Hickle, a dedicated member of the A Mother's Hope family whose journey embodies growth and commitment to empowerment. With a background rooted in service and advocacy, April spent three impactful years with SCAN (Stop Child Abuse and Neglect) in their Healthy Families program, where she championed the well-being of families in need.

Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Human Service and Management, April joined A Mother's Hope in 2018 as a Weekend Resident Advisor, marking the inception of her journey with us. Over time, her dedication and passion for supporting our residents propelled her into a full-time Day Resident Advisor role.

In her current capacity, April serves as a pivotal link between our House Manager and Case Manager, seamlessly integrating into the day-to-day operations. She offers support to our residents and their babies, fostering a nurturing environment where growth and healing can flourish.

April's multifaceted role extends beyond administrative tasks; she engages with our residents, offering guidance and encouragement as they navigate their journey towards self-sufficiency. From attending classes alongside volunteers to organizing outings that foster community integration, April is instrumental in building strong relationships within our home and beyond.

“A Mother’s Hope offers more than just a home. It offers the women who enter a chance to experience, maybe for the first time, a safe and healthy environment where they can begin to let their guard down, begin to trust, are shown support and love no matter what. Here, they have an opportunity to grow and break free from old habits and replace them with new healthy ways of doing things, resulting in these women reshaping their future and becoming the best version of themselves for them and for their child.”