The Team
Board of Directors
Jorel Ker
Growing up, Jorel always knew that he wanted to adopt. After having 3 children, he and his wife, Alix, chose to begin fostering. Not long after, they adopted their son, James. After experiencing many of the hardships, struggles, and joys of being a foster parent, Jorel developed a heart to help and support other families impacted by the foster care system. When the opportunity to work with Foster Village DFW arose, it was a "no brainer" for him!
Jorel has a degree in Finance from the University of North Texas and currently works in Administration for his church. Jorel enjoys playing all kinds of games with his kids, spending time with his wife, and cheering for all of his favorite sports teams.
Alix Ker
Alix jumped into the world of child welfare with her husband and 3 kiddos in 2020 when they started the journey of becoming a licensed foster family.
From the moment the first child was placed in their home (who later became their son), they were surrounded by a “village” of people who came alongside them and supported them through the overwhelming, incredible story that God had planned for them. She now has a strong desire to love and support other families who are impacted by the child welfare system, because she knows she couldn’t have done it alone.
Alix is the Middle School Girls Coordinator at her church and holds a bachelor's degree from Dallas Baptist University with a double concentration in Communications and Religion. In her spare time, she loves going to plays, singing karaoke, watching the Dallas Mavericks, playing all kinds of games with her family, and laughing at everything with her amazing husband.
Naomi Sawyer, Board Member
Naomi graduated with a degree in Social Work and has been working in the child welfare field since 2013. Naomi quickly saw the needs in the foster care system that were not being met for children experiencing or aging out of foster care and the families caring for them. Through her personal and professional experience with childhood adversity, advocacy and foster care, Naomi understands the importance of supporting and encouraging foster parents, biological families, and kinship families.
Naomi's current role includes working with stakeholders around the state of Texas to locate and engage meaningful connections for children and youth in foster care. When she's not working, Naomi enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, face-timing her siblings who live all over, drinking an excessive amount of coffee and reading a good book.
Amy Larkin, Secretary and Treasurer
Amy began her advocacy work in 2017 as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Since then Amy has volunteered on several cases, advocating for children and families in the North Texas area. Amy’s professional experience includes work as Chief Finanacial Officer for a regional retail entrepreneur, an Event Controller for Young Presidents’ Organization, and a Market Controller for Univision Radio in Dallas, TX. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Amy has played a key role in helping launch Foster Village DFW and continues to pour her heart, time, and energy into the child welfare field. When Amy isn't busy doing what she does best, advocating for children and families, you can find her quilting incredible quilts, cooking, or spending time with her husband and daughter.
Advisory Board:
Jailynn Smiley