Meet Hannah, our Founder and Executive Director

Foster Hope NY didn’t start with a grand plan or a clear vision. It began because we saw a need.

I grew up in a family that welcomed everyone with open arms. My parents and grandparents are some of the most compassionate people I know, and their values—compassion, kindness, and mercy—shaped the person I am today. Those lessons profoundly influenced how I see the world and my role in it.

I’ve always been drawn to the idea of adoption. The thought of creating a family for someone who needs it felt so beautiful and special to me. I believe those early feelings were the first seeds of what would eventually become Foster Hope.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, while working from home and feeling isolated like so many others, I found myself searching for ways to give back to my community. I started looking for organizations that supported foster children and families, but my searches left me frustrated. It seemed like the more I looked, the less I found. I couldn’t understand how our community’s most vulnerable children and families had so few resources to turn to.

That’s when I reached out to the pastor of my church. Before I could even finish explaining my idea, he was already on board. Together, we got to work, starting with what felt like the most immediate need—a foster closet. For the first 3.5 years, our closet operated out of the basement of North Central Church. It wouldn’t have been possible without the faith and willingness of Pastor Dan, Jonathan, and the incredible support of the church members. They became my foundation during those early days, and their belief in our mission helped us get to where we are today.

My vision for Foster Hope NY is simple yet profound: to fill in the gaps. Whether it’s providing clothing, resources, or a listening ear, we want to support foster, kinship, and adoptive families across Central New York in whatever ways we can.

Foster Hope began as a response to a need, but it has grown into so much more—a community built on compassion, love, and hope.