was established in 2013 by foster and adoptive mom, Kimberly Vehon. When the children she and her husband were fostering had a case plan change to adoption, Kim knew she could not just walk away from the kids still in Arizona’s foster care system. Foster Arizona was born out of a belief that one person can make a difference simply by bringing their talents, heart, and connections to the table and then engaging others to do the same.
Foster Arizona is a non-profit public charity focused on
Arizonans to positively impact the lives of kids in foster care and young adults transitioning out of foster care.
Our vision is that every child in Arizona’s foster care system and young adults transitioning out of foster care will be empowered, supported, and have the opportunity to enrich their lives through intentional community connections.
We believe that every child deserves to be valued and supported by their local community. We believe children thrive in a family setting with parental figures empowered to succeed, equipped with quality resources, and connected to the community around them. We believe that ordinary people can foster hope and change a life. And, we believe that education and collaboration are key in changing the future for Arizona’s children. Learn more today about how you can make a difference.
About
Foster Arizona
educating,
encouraging, and empowering
Our vision is that every child in Arizona’s foster care system and young adults transitioning out of foster care will be empowered, supported, and have the opportunity to enrich their lives through intentional community connections.
We believe that every child deserves to be valued and supported by their local community. We believe children thrive in a family setting with parental figures empowered to succeed, equipped with quality resources, and connected to the community around them. We believe that ordinary people can foster hope and change a life. And, we believe that education and collaboration are key in changing the future for Arizona’s children. Learn more today about how you can make a difference.
Arizonans to positively impact the lives of kids in foster care and young adults transitioning out of foster care.
was established in 2013 by foster and adoptive mom, Kimberly Vehon. When the children she and her husband were fostering had a case plan change to adoption, Kim knew she could not just walk away from the kids still in Arizona’s foster care system. Foster Arizona was born out of a belief that one person can make a difference simply by bringing their talents, heart, and connections to the table and then engaging others to do the same.
Foster Arizona is a non-profit public charity focused on
encouraging, educating,
and empowering
Board Member/President & CEO
Kim Vehon
Board Member
Thom Vehon
Board Member
Ashley Shick
Board Member
Chris Lawler
Board Member
Justice James Beene
Board Secretary
Karin Dahlman
Board Treasurer
Kathy Huizingh
Executive Administrator
Jack Keller
Board Chair
Allen Moore
OUR BOARD
Sonya.Romero@fosteraz.org
Housing Engagement Director
Sonya Romero
Shannon.Eason@fosteraz.org
Executive Administrator
Shannon Eason
kim@fosteraz.org
President &
Chief Executive Officer
Kim Vehon
our team
- Theodore Roosevelt
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
Favorite quote
I am obsessed with Rubio's mango fish tacos.
Something Quirky about me:
I am continually amazed by the community and how much people care.
What I find amazing:
Go to the beach, read, hike, and anything that allows me to spend time with family
What I love to do:
Kimberly Vehon is the founder and CEO of Foster Arizona and Foster Arizona Housing Project. Kim’s personal mission has been to help positively impact lives within our community through the power of making connections. In 2018, Kimberly was honored with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption’s Angels in Adoption Award and local Woman of the Year Award for her positive impact she has made in the lives of kids in foster care. Kimberly has used her voice to advocate for families and children impacted by foster care through collaborating in the writing of legislation and advocacy in Arizona. Kimberly is passionate about helping children find loving families because she has experienced the personal joy that comes from being a foster/adoptive mom. Kimberly is a proud mom of seven children, 4 that experienced Arizona’s foster care system, and a grateful wife to an amazing husband that supports and encourages her to dream big and change the world.
kim@fosteraz.org
Kim Vehon
– Marianne Williamson
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”
Favorite quote
I love jigsaw puzzles. My husband calls me the puzzle queen.
Something Quirky about me:
That I get to do a job I love with some pretty amazing people.
What I find amazing:
I love go shopping with the girls. Purses and shoes are my kryptonite.
What I love to do:
Shannon Eason is the Executive Administrator of Foster Arizona and Foster Arizona Housing Project. Growing up in a home where her family had more than 20 foster children come through their doors, helped birth her passion for helping young people in Foster Care see and reach their full potential. That passion for young people and helping in the community led her to become a volunteer mentor at Foster Arizona Housing Project in 2020, and for she and her husband Keith to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for the Pinal County Juvenile Courts in 2018. Prior to joining the Foster Arizona staff, Shannon worked in education at the grade school, middle school and college levels. Shannon has been married to her husband Keith for 29 years and they are the proud parents of two adult children. Shannon and her family love music and sports (football & basketball specifically) and if her husband and daughter aren’t coaching youth basketball (while Shannon is filming) somewhere, you will always find them cheering on their Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!
kim@fosteraz.org
Shannon Eason
kim@fosteraz.org
Sonya Romero
I keep a journal of favorite quotes I record from all the books I read. I literally cannot choose one!
Favorite quote
The incredible variety and uniqueness of people and their experiences and joys.
What I find amazing:
Read; ride my electric bike; snuggle with a cat on my lap; family vacations and trips
What I love to do:
Sonya is the Director of Housing Engagement for Foster Arizona Housing Project. She has been a teacher of the Deaf and hard of hearing for most of her adult career. Identifying as a hard of hearing person, Sonya has a passion for the Deaf world and uses American Sign Language as her second language; her experience with students with a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and needs in special education has uniquely prepared her for her current role. Additionally, Sonya has experienced adoption and kinship foster care, which has grown a heart for those in need in the foster care system and beyond. Sonya feels so blessed to have a wonderfully supportive and loving husband, two children who enrich and challenge life, and three cute cats.
Volunteer Team Lead - Design
Brian Vehon
Volunteer Team Lead - Housing
Alexander Falkenstein
Amanda.Lasita@fosteraz.org
Director of Development & Communications
Amanda Lasita
― Maya Angelou
AMANDA LASITA
I am obsessed with Rubio's mango fish tacos.
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
What I love to do:
Travel, spend time with my family, run, volunteer, coffee obsessed, attend sporting events
Something Quirky about me:
Amanda is the Development and Communications Officer and Consultant for Foster Arizona and Foster Arizona Housing Project. She has nearly fifteen years of communication, community relations, and fundraising experience in the corporate and non-profit sectors.
Amanda holds an MBA from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration—Marketing from the University of Nevada, Reno. She also has a Digital Marketing Certificate from Cornell University and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from Arizona State University.
Amanda was recognized as a Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Recipient and a Phoenix Suns and National Bank of Arizona Amazing Women Award Recipient.
Amanda resides in San Diego with her husband and son.
Favorite quote
Alexander Falkenstein
- Winston Churchill or someone else
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Favorite quote
I collect original adidas tracksuits
Something Quirky about me:
Beyond volunteering for amazing organizations like Foster Arizona, I spend my time serving as a board member at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern and Central Arizona. I also enjoy gardening and growing tropical and rare fruit, practicing yoga and calisthenics, constantly learning more about finance/economics, reading interesting books, and eating delicious foods.
What I love to do:
Alexander Falkenstein is a Vice President at Northern Trust Bank where he works as an investment manager for high-net-worth families and institutions. Alexander loves to engage in the community in meaningful ways and connected with Foster Arizona through his participation in Valley Leadership Institute’s Class 40. Since then, he has become connected at a deeper level with young adults transitioning out of foster care as a financial mentor and Housing Lead Team member for Foster Arizona.
- Mr Feeny, Boy Meets World
Brian Vehon
“Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good.”
Favorite quote
I enjoy Funko Pops, knick-knacks, and other nostalgic collectible stuff.
Something quirky about me:
I enjoy sports, hanging out with family, doing photography and getting to work on creative stuff.
Read; ride my electric bike; snuggle with a cat on my lap; family vacations and trips
What I love to do:
Brian Vehon has worked for MTV General Contractors for over 20 years; specializing in design, photography, and ariel video work. He attended ASU for construction and loves the process of buildings becoming a reality. He brings his creative eye and design skills to the volunteer work he does with Foster Arizona taking on the lead design role for all print and media pieces. Brian has been a part of Foster Arizona from day one and has become the swiss army knife of the organization, stepping into all things from lawn work to picking up mattresses for the young adults transitioning out of foster care.
Brian is passionate about making an impact in the lives of those who have experienced foster care because of his personal experiences. Brian has been married to Kim, founder of Foster Arizona, for almost 20 years and is dad to seven kids; four who were adopted out of Arizona’s foster care system. He has seen first-hand the challenges that come from trauma and believes that the solution is in engaging the community around us.
Volunteer Team Lead- Housing
Carla Jenkins
Volunteer Team Lead -Technology
Keith Eason
- Egella Eason (My Mother)
“Be the best you can be, in everything you do.”
Favorite quote
Cooking is simply a chemistry experiment.
What I find amazing:
Spend time with God, Family, watching and participating in sports, listening to music, family game nights, and quality time with Shannon.
What I love to do:
Keith Eason is married to his wonderful wife Shannon, and together they have 2 adult children. Keith has been volunteering and offering technical assistance for Foster Arizona and Foster Arizona Housing Project for 2 years. Together, Keith and Shannon also volunteer as CASA’s for Pinal County.
Keith is an avid music and sports lover, especially basketball and anything focused on the University of Michigan. Alongside his daughter, thay have recently started a Non-Profit basketball club which focuses on teaching fundamentals and "thinking the game" within the game of basketball to adolescents which provide valuable life lessons using a team sport.
KEITH EASON
CARLA JENKINS
I know it sounds cliché but, I love the quote “It takes a village” because I definitely believe it takes a village to raise a child. Everyone that pours into that child helps impact and shape them.
Favorite quote
What I have found is that, through all of our traveling on our adventures, I have fallen in love with truck stops! They have everything! Where else can you find beef jerky next to bibles?!
Something Quirky about me:
I love to hike, bike, kayak, camp and go UTV'ing with my husband.
What I love to do:
Carla Jenkins spent 20 years in office management leadership at a Family Medicine practice before moving into nonprofit work with Foster Arizona. Carla started out as a volunteer mentor in Foster Arizona’s Housing Project Program and quickly realized she had a passion for helping positively impact kids and young adults who have experienced foster care. In 2022, she transitioned from her volunteer role to a full-time position with Foster Arizona as the Director of Program and Volunteer Services.
Carla is an Arizona native and finds joy in serving her local community. Carla and her husband, Shane, are empty nesters and are so proud of their grown children and the connection they have with them. Carla would love to see every child and young adult have that same opportunity for connection and is an advocate for getting involved through meaningful contributions to your local community.
- Mr Feeny, Boy Meets World
“Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good.”
Favorite quote
I enjoy Funko Pops, knick-knacks, and other nostalgic collectible stuff.
Something quirky about me:
I enjoy sports, hanging out with family, doing photography and getting to work on creative stuff.
Read; ride my electric bike; snuggle with a cat on my lap; family vacations and trips
What I love to do:
Brian Vehon has worked for MTV General Contractors for over 20 years; specializing in design, photography, and ariel video work. He attended ASU for construction and loves the process of buildings becoming a reality. He brings his creative eye and design skills to the volunteer work he does with Foster Arizona taking on the lead design role for all print and media pieces. Brian has been a part of Foster Arizona from day one and has become the swiss army knife of the organization, stepping into all things from lawn work to picking up mattresses for the young adults transitioning out of foster care.
Brian is passionate about making an impact in the lives of those who have experienced foster care because of his personal experiences. Brian has been married to Kim, founder of Foster Arizona, for almost 20 years and is dad to seven kids; four who were adopted out of Arizona’s foster care system. He has seen first-hand the challenges that come from trauma and believes that the solution is in engaging the community around us.
Brian Vehon
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