Meet the Project 1.27 Team

MEET THE TEAM

SHELLY RADIC
President

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
As President and CEO, I have so many favorites! I am excited to watch Project 1.27 programs support churches, families, and volunteers providing life-changing support to children and families involved in the foster system. It’s amazing to meet the generous people who give to make those programs happen. I am blessed to work with an incredible board and staff who care deeply about offering Jesus' redemptive love to bring hope and healing to children in foster care. Networking with other leaders across the country provides an opportunity to see God working through churches, businesses, and caring people to provide more than enough resources and support to vulnerable children and families.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
When I came to Project 1.27 in January of 2013, I already had a life-long personal connection with foster care and adoption. My parents adopted one of my brothers from foster care and my husband and I fostered and then adopted two of our four kids from foster care. Before Project 1.27, I served for seven years at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International as Director of Ministry Life, Chief of Staff, and Interim CEO. Earlier, I was a middle school teacher, speaker and writer.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song?
Right now, I would say "God, Turn It Around" by Jon Reddick. There are so many challenges in the world today that are bringing pain, heartbreak and fear. God, Turn It Around is my heart's cry for our world.

Favorite childhood TV show?
I grew up with two brothers and we watched and re-enacted Batman and Robin. We learned about fighting evil, working for justice, having fun together and all those exclamatory words - Kapow! Blam! Zok!

MARILYN ROBINSON
Family Care Team Director

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I'm the Family Care Team Director. I enjoy meeting our new families and providing training and support to them. It's important for families to understand child welfare, and with my experience I'm able to share in a way that is clear and understandable rather than cause a fear reaction. I also enjoy working with a team of dedicated professionals and foster and adoptive parents who bring with them exceptional skills as we join together supporting children and families.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
My experience includes 30 years working in child welfare as a social worker and a supervisor, as well as serving families of children with special needs. I've personally navigated the challenges of adopting from foster care and being a single mom.  My journey to Project 1.27 was due to meeting incredible friends throughout my professional career and successfully navigating the child welfare world. I was able to incorporate my skills and knowledge into my role at Project 1.27.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song?
I would choose "Before I Let Go" by Frankie Beverly and Maze. Being the youngest of 6 children, this song brings back memories of my siblings and I having house parties as teenagers and everyone dancing and laughing. It's such a happy song and when it's played everyone sings along and dances. I love the memory of being carefree and enjoying that moment in time.

Favorite childhood TV show?

LIZ BRODZINSKI
NoCo Relationships and Support Manager

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I have the privilege of serving as Northern Colorado Relationships & Support Manager. My favorite part of the job is that it is never the same old, same old. I get to meet so many amazing people, hear their stories, get to know their hearts for serving vulnerable children and families and support them as they support kinship, foster and adoptive families in our community.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
As a young adult, I wasn't sure what I wanted to be "when I grew up,” but I knew I wanted to be a mom. I was passionate about caring for kids from hard places. I followed that passion having no direction for a professional career. My undergrad was in Human Development and Family Studies, and I loved every minute of it. I found myself always connected to the world of foster care in some capacity or another. When the Lord clearly spoke to our family that it was our time to step into foster care, we attended a Project 1.27 Info Meeting and knew we were where God was calling us. Our training with Project 1.27 was so powerful as we embarked on this amazing and challenging journey of caring for kids in the foster care system. I think my husband and I just spoke so highly of Project 1.27 and talked about this amazing organization so much that eventually they just hired me to keep talking! I absolutely love that I get to support families the way we were supported and engage churches to step into that support role. Our kinship, foster and adoptive families deserve so much, and this is an amazing way that God has called me into being a part of that.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song?
Ooh... "Better When I'm Dancin'" by Meghan Trainor. I think most any bad mood can be shifted with a good dance party!

Favorite childhood TV show?
Full House - Oh, I loved that family! I loved seeing my family represented on that screen. I loved the way Danny Tanner was goofy and endearing and honest. I loved seeing the uncles step in and help, no questions asked. I loved how different each of the girls were and how their flaws were still somehow embraced and valued as a part of the family. I loved that love was the core of everything they stood for!

REGAN HALL
Family Care Manager

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I serve as a Family Care Manager and my favorite part of the job is providing practical support to foster, kinship and adoptive families. I enjoy talking through hard things on the phone, providing ideas on how to bring connection into a difficult behavior, meeting for coffee to encourage parents, sending a gift card to help buy items for a new placement, or connecting someone to a resource like diapers or formula. Lending an ear or a hand to families on the front lines of kinship, fostering, and adopting makes me so happy!

What brought you to Project 1.27?
First and foremost, I am a Project 1.27 foster-adopt mom! While fostering and working to adopt our daughter, I saw the need for Christians in the field of social work and went back to school to get my social work degree. I'm delighted to serve the same organization that trained and supported us through our foster care and adoption journey. In April, I was able to attend Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) practitioner training and am excited to support our families with this connective intervention for kids who have experienced trauma. I will be returning to school for my Master of Social Work degree with the end goal of Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song?
I would choose the "Hokey Pokey" as my walk-up song because it's something almost everyone knows and it's silly. It's almost impossible not to smile while listening to it - and what if it really is what it's all about?

Favorite childhood TV show?
My favorite TV show in childhood was Mr. Rogers. He was TBRI before TBRI. He was safe and connective and I always felt good after watching him.

SHARON BOUSE-FERRY
ECHOflex Program Director

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I am the ECHOflex program director. My favorite part of my job is walking alongside families and offering encouragement in the trenches. I am amazed at how God shows up in the details of life, and humbled by the many experiences' families have shared with me. Another favorite part of my job is working with an incredible team who offer joy and hope in everything they do!

What brought you to Project 1.27?
My professional background is in Child Development/Early Childhood Education and Non-Profit Management. From teaching in the classroom, owning my own preschool, developing and managing volunteer and host home programs, directing homeless youth agency operations, and founding and chairing annual fundraisers, serving and advocating for youth has always been a part of my life and work. My personal experiences as a kinship foster parent led to my professional experiences in the nonprofit world. In 2015, I began volunteering for Project 1.27 as they were getting up and running on the Western Slope. In 2020, I became an official part of the Project 1.27 team.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song?
I would choose “Best of My Love” by The Emotions for my walk-up song. I love music from the 70’s so I had to choose a song from that era. This song is a good representation of the funk, passion, and love that I think make me who I am. You can’t help but smile and groove a little when you hear it!

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
One of my favorite childhood TV shows is Family Matters. I love the theme of family sticking together no matter what. Every episode was full of humor, challenges, and strength while family supported one another. I didn’t know I would become a foster parent back when I was watching Family Matters, but as I reflect on it now, I can see how God was shaping my heart for family and “sticking togetherness” way back then.

ALEX KUYKENDALL
National Network Director

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I am the National Network Director and I love connecting with faithful servant-leaders around the country.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
I believe the Church is called to serve our most vulnerable neighbors. Project 1.27 equips churches to do that very thing! Early on in my career I worked in community engagement for ministries and government agencies. This work allowed me to translate policy decisions to the people impacted. Then I was on staff with MOPS International creating resources for leaders and churches to support moms and their children. Most recently I've spent my time writing books, speaking to faith-based groups, and starting a network of Christian women leaders called The Open Door Sisterhood. I see my work as the intersection of communications, leadership development, and loving our neighbors within the context of Christian faith. Being part of Project 1.27 and the 1.27 National Network is a natural extension of these combined passions.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
I'd choose "Glorious" by Macklemore. I love the energy and the themes of redemption and living fully. It's a tribute to life as a gift.

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
My favorite TV show was 8 is Enough. As an only child I loved watching the family dynamics of a big family and imagined what it would be like to have so many siblings.

RHONDA DENISON
Community Relations and
FamiliesCare Manager

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
Serving as the Relationships and Support Manager for the Denver Metro area, I love partnering with churches to see where they can best serve vulnerable kids and how Project 1.27 can serve alongside them. My absolute favorite thing about my job is when I see a family within the church choose to open their home to vulnerable children- what a beautiful display of the Gospel.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
I attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction, where I earned my degree in counseling psychology. Our family is an adoptive family both through private adoption and through foster care. Our family was trained, equipped and supported through Project 1.27. The vision of having a family waiting for every child (instead of waiting children) was something I could really get behind! When we jumped into the world of foster care, I couldn't look away. After the adoption of our 2 youngest kids, I knew that I still wanted to be involved in caring for vulnerable kids. I'm so thankful that I get to walk alongside churches and people in the community to care for vulnerable children.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
"ME!" by Taylor Swift- It's fun and about being unique. I like to think I'm fun and unique!

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
I used to come home every day in middle school and watch Saved by the Bell. Would Zack and Kelly end up together? What silly thing would Screech do this episode to try and woo Lisa!? It was just a fun and silly show.

LISA McGINNETT
Western Slope Director

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
As the Western Slope Director, I connect with local churches to help build a foundation for collaboration between the Christian community and the child welfare system. Additionally, I provide state-approved training for families that desire to become licensed foster families. Once a family is licensed, I maintain a relationship of support as they go through their journey of fostering children. I get the most pleasure from engaging with families and encouraging or providing physical needs that may arise as they begin to open their homes to kids from hard places.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
Prior to joining the Project 1.27 team, I was a medical assistant in a local surgical clinic. While my husband and I have fostered children for more than 20 years, we have always had careers that were service-oriented. Working with this amazing organization allows me to inspire folks to step into this sacred space for children.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
"This Girl Is on Fire" by Alicia Keys. A coworker chose this song for me. I appreciate that she sees something in me, therefore, I will keep this song as an inspiration to live up to.

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
Mork and Mindy. I think I loved this show because of the silly humor. The work we do with kids from hard places is so hard, that I find I need more silly in my life.

BOBBI KLINE
Grants Manager

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I am the Grants Manager for Project 1.27. It is an honor to work for a Christian organization that serves children and families in foster care. The grant writing process is always changing, and I am continually learning how to fine-tune each grant. Receiving a “Yes” from funders is the fun part of the job!

What brought you to Project 1.27?
A close friend of mine introduced me to Project 1.27. I liked the mission and vision and the organization’s commitment to foster families. Several of my family members and friends have adopted and/or fostered children, so I understand the support needed for foster/adoptive families. Prior to joining Project 1.27, I worked as an adoptive family caseworker/birth family counselor for an adoption agency, and before that, I managed a nonprofit parenting organization. I hold an M.A. in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
My walk-up song is “Hope in Front of Me” by Danny Gokey. This song reminds me that God is holding us and there is hope in the hard storms of life.

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
My favorite childhood TV show is the Carole Burnett Show (I just aged myself). I remember the laughter around the living room as my family watched. My fondest memory is listening to my mom’s infectious giggles.

FRED ELLIOTT-HART
FamiliesCare Director

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I am privileged to serve Project 1.27 as the FamiliesCare Director. I love that I get to be part of helping Christians serve beyond the walls of the church by coming alongside vulnerable families with the love of Christ. What could be better than sharing the love of Jesus with people?

What brought you to Project 1.27?
I’m so happy to be part of the mission of Project 1.27 to serve vulnerable children and families. In my twenties, I got a MSW and had opportunities to work with incarcerated youth, supervising a group home for teenagers, and providing community mental health services to families in Jamaica. I then sensed a call to pastoral ministry, especially to help lead Christ-followers in reaching out to struggling people with the love and good news of Jesus. I got an M.Div. from Fuller Seminary and served a wonderful, racially diverse and economically diverse church in Boston. After thirteen years there, I felt the tug again to devote more of my time in mission and ministry beyond the walls of the church. After getting a certificate in Non-Profit Management and working with some other ministries, God opened the door to join Project 1.27 which seems like a perfect fit for me.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
This is a hard one. If I were going for pure hype it might be “Shipping Up to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys or “All the Small Things” by Blink 182 (especially if I knew the crowd would sing along like at Avs games because that’s amazing). But I think I’ll go with “Step Up” by Papa San because it’s not only a good hype song, but it’s inspirational and a call to courage in God. Also, Papa San is Jamaican--my family lived there for three years and I miss hearing reggae everywhere!

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
I watched a lot of TV as a kid but, honestly, I like the shows my own children watched much more. My favorite is Phineas and Ferb. I love the humor, Phineas and Ferb’s creativity, Candace and her never-ending quest to bust them, the sinister but loveable Doofenschmirtz, and especially the incredible musical numbers.

NAOMI LEMON
WS Family Care Support and
Database Manager

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I work with kinship and foster families on the Western Slope. My favorite part is making connections with kinship, foster and adoptive families and finding resources for them. This is a difficult, but beautiful journey they are on. A journey that requires lots of support and I love finding those for families and seeing the kids thrive.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
My family has been involved in the foster care community for 15+ years. My parents are amazing people who helped us kids see the value of supporting other kids in our community. I am very excited to be working with the foster care community once again!

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
My walk-up song would be "Me Too" by Meghan Trainor! I can't help but dance when this song comes on, but my favorite part is: "I thank God every day (uh, ha) / That I woke up feelin' this way (uh, ha) / And I can't help loving myself." Is there anything more accurate than thanking God for making me who I am? I love it!

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
My favorite childhood TV show was Cyberchase on PBS Kids. My siblings and I would rush home, so we didn't miss it. I don't know why we loved a show that was all about math...but we did.

JENNY WATSON
Communications and Events Manager

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
As the Communications Manager, my favorite part of my job is finding creative ways to recruit, support, and inspire foster families, as well as designing all of the fun pieces we need for events, social media, and newsletters.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
My husband and I were certified as foster parents in 2013 through Project 1.27. Over the years, we have fostered 8 children, one of whom we adopted. I have worked with multiple non-profits in the Denver area in communications, fundraising, event planning, and web design. I served as the Director of the Justice Run for the last 12 years, raising money for victims of human trafficking. When my family decided to take a break from fostering, I wanted to find another way to serve children and families in foster care which led me to joining the Project 1.27 staff.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
I would choose “Buy Dirt” by Jordan Davis. I’m a country girl at heart and I love the lyrics and feel like it’s a great picture of my life, family, and purpose.

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
I loved Full House, Family Matters, Step By Step and Boy Meets World- all of the TGIF shows! I loved that we could watch them as a family and that they were wholesome, taught good lessons, and funny!

ALMASUE PRIETO
FamiliesCare Administrative Coordinator

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I am the Families Care Administrative Coordinator! My favorite part of the job is getting to work alongside such an awesome team of individuals who share my heart for serving God’s people in our community. Also, I’m a bit of a perfectionist who appreciates organization and analyzing meaningful data so that part of my job is fun for me too!

What brought you to Project 1.27?
I have been following and admiring the great work of Project 1.27 for almost 10 years as well as praying with Colorado leaders in this field for 4 years. It’s the right time for me and this organization to work together and I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity to join. My passion for the Foster Care field started in my church youth group and has expanded to include mission work with orphans abroad. After living and working in Denver for six years I have gained experience connecting diverse families to educational opportunities and the local church family.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
“Love God Love People” by Danny Gokey this song is such an anthem and my motto I always come back to! Just love the simplicity of it on days that are heavy, complex, or so broken.

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
I loved watching and laughing at Drake and Josh with my brother growing up! We couldn’t get enough and we still send each other memes from the show from time to time that are still so relevant.

BRANDON ALVERSON
FamiliesCare Manager for Weld County

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
I am the FamiliesCare Manager in Weld County. My favorite part of my job is the goal we are working toward of keeping families together by providing a community of support and encouragement through the local church. I also love having the opportunity to build relationships with pastors, families, and social workers in the community and networking those relationships together.

What brought you to Project 1.27?
My wife and I are Project 1.27 adoptive parents. I have a Bachelor of Ministry Degree from Christian Leaders College and I am Associate Pastor of Primal Church in Johnstown, CO. The heart of Project 1.27, to meet the incredible need of kids in foster care by calling the church to stand in the gap, resonated with me. After adopting our daughter, I knew we were at the end of the season of bringing more kids into our home. However, I felt God telling me I was not done serving in this arena. My wife and I have volunteered as a parent panelist at trainings sharing about our journey and I have also helped facilitate training, as well. When the FamiliesCare Manager position became available I was excited to see how my passions, gifts, and experiences lined up.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
My walk-up song would be "Livin' On The Edge" by Aerosmith. There is something wrong with the world. We know what it is. I want to see people through God's eyes and not respond in fear and go running. I want to live on the edge and help by pulling people back up and stop others from going over.

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
That is a tough question, but I have to go with Knight Rider. A car that could drive itself, talk, and could be controlled with a watch, and could drive into the back of a semi while going down the highway, what is there not to love. It all seemed so impossible.

JANINE WESTLUND
Family Care Manager

What is your position and what is your favorite part of your job?
As a Family Care Manager, I am privileged to walk with families on the foster care and adoption journey. It is an honor to listen and care for each family as we help to meet their individual needs. I really enjoy facilitating training with the families as they learn the details of being a foster family. During training we start building relationships which to me is the best part!

What brought you to Project 1.27?
I have known about Project 1.27 since it first started. I have prayed for and shared the mission and vision of it for years. As a birth mom, my heart and passion for adoption is apart of my personal journey and now has become a part of my professional journey as well. I have been in education for over 30 years with a focus on behavior management and social/emotional development including time living in Mozambique, Africa as a missionary. As I entered my 50’s, I was led to complete training as a spiritual director at Denver Seminary. Through all of these years, my interest has always been about children, in all aspects of their life. Joining the Project 1.27 team is a natural fit as we partner with families on their faith journey, support them with their child developmental needs, and care for the well-being of each family.

What song would you choose as your walk-up song and why?
Goodness of God by CeCe Winans! The words speak of my faith journey in trusting what God has for me, even when I am not sure or feeling alone.

Favorite childhood TV show and why?
I loved watching “Little House on the Prairie”. Growing up in Minnesota, I was able to visit Walnut Grove and see the real home where Laura Ingalls grew up. It made the show more fun and personal to watch!