About Us

Our mission is to provide relevant training, resources and support to foster parents from a trauma-informed approach, giving them the skills and confidence to spark healing in vulnerable children.

Our Board of Directors​

Renee Bernhard

Renee Bernhard

President

Hobbies:​
Running, Yoga, Reminiscing.

Renee is a former foster parent, a Foster Parent of the Year award recipient for Adams County, and a mother of three. A native of Colorado, Renee spent her early career working in emergency services at the US Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany. Since returning to the US, Renee has been a stay at home mom while raising her children and is a very active volunteer for her county's Human Services department. Within hours of becoming certified to be foster parents, Renee and Brian received their first placement, a baby boy they would adopt exactly 2 years later.

Brian Bernhard

Brian Bernhard

Sec/Treasurer

Hobbies:​
Crossfit, Community Theater, Legal Mgmt Associations.​​​

Brian is a former foster parent and Foster Parent of the Year award recipient for Adams County. He has dedicated his career to the field of immigration. In addition to having worked for the government, he has also spent the last 15 years managing immigration law firms. Brian is passionate about foster care and providing the children in foster care resources they need, particularly those aging out of the system. Brian is a parent to three children, one of whom was adopted out of foster care. He's a very active member of his church and associations focused on legal management.

Maria Avila

Maria Avila

County Liaison

Hobbies:​
Travel, Gardening, Photography.

Maria Avila is a caseworker in Foster Care and Kinship Certification and Support at Adams County Human Services Department (ACHSD). She has 20 years of experience working with families that provide care for children in out-of-home placements. Maria has a BA in psycology, a BS in international marketing and a MSW. Maria is also a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the State of Colorado. Maria is a married mother of two children. Maria and her husband were foster parents with Boulder County for two years, and they were foster parents for their daughter whom they adopted in 2006. Maria volunteered as a team treasurer for the Broomfield Soccer Club for 4 years and she currently is volunteering as the team manager for the Broomfield High School boys’ varsity program.

Kim Farnsworth

Kim Farnsworth

Education Specialist

Hobbies:​
Traveling, Reading, Karaoke.

Kim grew up living in various countries throughout the world including Spain, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong (China), UAE, South Korea, and the United States. She speaks four languages: English, Spanish, French, and Korean. With 20 years experience in the field of education and technology, her primary professional interests are in the use of technology in both education and performance improvement. She is a former foster parent for Adams County. She lives with her family in Gilbert, Arizona where she spends her days running the world for the six little people in her home, four of whom were adopted (two through foster care).

Kristin Mann

Kristin Mann

Foster Source North

Hobbies:​
Reading, Scrapbooking, Exploring.

Kristin Mann loves school and has Masters degrees in the areas of Special Education and Reading. She has been a teacher for 18 years, teaching everything from kindergarten to residential treatment and is currently working as a Special Education teacher in Greeley. Kristin and her husband Russ have three children, are current foster parents in Weld County and are adopting the first child placed in their home. Open for placements, they are waiting for one more child to complete their family. Kristin has volunteered for DFS on the CPT team and looks forward to continuing to expand Foster Source's services in Northern Colorado.

Allan Spies

Allan Spies

Strategy & Vision

Al is a third generation Coloradan. For over 20 years Al has served on numerous public and private company boards as well as non-profit organizations, many providing social services to families. His current passion is being involved with organizations poised to move to the next level. He is a guest lecturer for MBA classes at several universities and has long served in several community and national nonprofit organizational leadership positions.He is a past operating executive and CFO for large corporations. Al has a wife of over 47 years, two grown children, and four grandkids.

Nathan Wangerin

Nathan Wangerin

Public Engagement

Hobbies:
Running, Archery, Playing in the Mountains.

Nate Wangerin is a Colorado native. He married his high school sweetheart and has three fun, active children. He loves the outdoors and everything that Colorado has to offer. He has partnered with non-profit organizations in many different ways over the past 15 years and has a passion for fostering engagement in the community and bringing people together. He works as a financial consultant for Thrivent Financial helping families, individuals, and small businesses be wise with money and live generously. He co-founded the 5280 Associates, a financial advisory practice, in 2010 and serves the greater Denver-Metro area. His most enjoyable moments are those he gets to spend with his family and he strives to ensure that others get to feel that same love and enjoyment.