Julie is excited to pursue the vision God gave her to empower and equip parents whose families are impacted by disabilities (defined as learning struggles, hidden disabilities, and very obvious disabilities).

Her dream as a child was to grow up, get married, and have children. She found her soulmate in Tom and they have been married for over 40  years. The first 10 years were met with the agonizing heartbreak of infertility and then God blessed them with four children in six years. Julie always says that God has a wonderful sense of humor!

It was a huge joy to Julie to also have the opportunity to homeschool the children. The biggest challenges during those years were bound up in being a special needs family. The question she sought the answer for most often was, “How can we be the parents that EACH of our children needs?” She knows other parents are asking the same question.

Parent Focus
Julie is passionate about these things regarding parents and families:

• To come alongside parents of children (and children who are now adults) affected by disabilities (learning, hidden, and obvious) with a listening ear, encouragement, love, and practical tips and resources.
• To see parents gain confidence in parenting a child with challenges and in navigating the dynamics of raising those children as well as their siblings by depending on the God who truly cares and equips.
• To help parents grow in community.

Ministry Focus
Julie is passionate about these things regarding ministry focus:

• To help God’s people desire to and work hard to find a place for every family member in
  church.
• To equip and empower the staff and volunteers of churches and other faith-based organizations to work well with special needs families by providing practical tips and tools and lots of support.

Faith Partner Focus
Julie is passionate about these things regarding faith partners:

• To communicate that we cannot do what we do without financial, creative, and “encouragement” supporters.
• To invite others to join the outreach by sharing financial resources.
• To invite others to join the outreach by sharing creative ideas with us.
• To invite others to join the outreach by getting the word out to their communities.
• To invite others to join the outreach by praying for us and for those who God wants us to reach.