Meet the R225 Team

Parents who foster or adopt need to know they’ll be well-supported when a child arrives in their home. Foster children, as well as adopted children, have unique needs and require intentional focus from their new parents. Supporting these families in practical, hands-on ways provides a healthier context for a child’s transition into their new home.

Our MissionOur mission is to partner with Christian volunteers, churches, and other like-minded organizations to make an immediate and eternal impact in the lives of kids and families who are caught in the foster care continuum.

Our VisionTo fulfill God’s promise to ‘restore the years the locust have eaten’ (Joel 2:25). To see families restored to wholeness in His Name.

Board of Directors:- President/Founder: Jen Hall, Foster Parent
- Treasurer/Secretary/Founder: Jerry Hall, Foster Parent
- Josh & Emily Ketchum: original board members, they have a background in Foster Care as well as experienced missionaries
- Terri Clark: Principal, San Diego Christian School (Shadow Mountain Elementary)
- Liz Hyma: business woman, experienced event & fundraising with non-profits
- Wendy & Wyeth Willard: Foster parents and Advocates for change in the Child Welfare System
- Drew Miles: Foster Dad, Business Owner
- Gary & Meef Lawton: Pastor & Director of Women’s Ministry at Calvary Chapel Santee, former Foster/Adoptive parents
R225 team with Jason Johnson at their inaugural Faith and Foster Care Gathering in October 2020. Jason is the National Director of Church Ministry Initiatives for Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO).
meet the team

The People Behind Restoration225

Lisa Christy

Executive Director

When you were 5, you were pretty sure you were going to be...
When I was 5, I was pretty sure I was going to be a marine biologist because I loved dolphins!

Favorite bible verse?
Psalm 121 – THE WHOLE THING!

Briefly describe what you love about your job at R225? 
Being a change-maker is such an honor and privilege.  The Christian Church is mostly unaware of the plight of children caught in the Foster Care Continuum.  God has raised up an amazing team of dedicated,  experienced, Jesus-loving people to educate and mobilize The Body of Christ to help these children and families.  What greater calling is there than to lead an organization with this high calling?  I couldn’t be more thankful and blessed to get to do this job everyday!

Meleilani Barnes

Deputy Executive Director

When you were 5, you were pretty sure you were going to be...
I wanted to become a singer.

Favorite bible verse?
Philippians 4:6-7

Briefly describe what you love about your job at R225? 
I love being on a team that seeks God first. As a former foster/adoptive parent, I have seen first hand what it means to experience having support while fostering a child with the ups and downs that come with that journey.  I’m honored to connect families in need with a loving local church that is ready to serve them.  I love that R225 gives opportunities to bless others and be “others focused”.

Logan Mabe

Director of Church & Community Partnership

When you were 5, you were pretty sure you were going to be...
I wanted to become an NBA player.

Favorite bible verse?
It's a toss-up between Romans 10:14-15, Genesis 50:20

Briefly describe what you love about your job at R225? 
I love to partner with Churches to see the needs in their local communities and helping move them into action.  I love collaborating with other organizations so that the families we serve get the greatest help possible. I love getting to see families who are involved in the foster care system loved well through people who are living like Jesus, sharing that hope, and seeing those families restored and doing well.

Emily Tupta

CHURCH ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

When you were 5, you were pretty sure you were going to be...
A teacher, and I did just that! I received my degree in Education from SDSU in 2009. I taught science for 8 years.

Favorite bible verse?
John 21:22 “What is it to you? You follow me.” I wish more people lived by this advice Jesus gave Peter.

Briefly describe what you love about your job at R225? 
I absolutely love that we are making a real, tangible difference in the lives of families across the county! To see churches partnering together for the benefit of children in hard places is incredible. I’m humbled and honored to do what I do!

Alexandra Gonzales

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

When you were 5, you were pretty sure you were going to be...
A dolphin trainer.

Favorite bible verse?
Isaiah 6:8

Briefly describe what you love about your job at R225? 
I love that I am able to help serve families in my community. I love working with a team that is excited to serve however they can. I love that we are growing more and more and that people are excited to be apart of it!

Barbara Mancilla

Accounting

When you were 5, you were pretty sure you were going to be...
A high executive at some big corporation.

Favorite bible verse?
I like to call it my LIFE verse — 2 Corinthians 5:17 "I Am made NEW"  

Briefly describe what you love about your job at R225? 
I love that I can be part of a group of people who are zealous about serving God in the community we live. I get to be part of what God is doing serving families and preparing the Church to strap up their shoes and march at the beat of the hearts of the most vulnerable in our city.

Nanci Weinstein

Regional Manager for CarePortal

When you were 5, you were pretty sure you were going to be...
I wanted to be a principal of an elementary school.

Favorite bible verse?
Philippians Chapter 4:6-7

Briefly describe what you love about your job at R225? 
My heart for children in need grew out of the love I personally received when I needed a loving family as an infant. Now, as foster/adoptive parent I truly understand the great need there is for support while caring for children within the foster care continuum. Local churches are being called upon to serve and it is my honor to join in this mission. Together we can bring immediate help and hope to vulnerable children in San Diego County.

Let's Chat!

We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions or would like to know more, send us an email!