The Foster House Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Madison County, Alabama. Our mission is to reduce trauma for children entering the foster care system by providing a safe, warm, and loving home environment until they are placed with a foster or kinship family. We became a corporation on June 29, 2023, and received our 501(c)(3) determination shortly after — learn more about our mission.

Our board of directors guides every aspect of this work.

The Board of Directors

Amy Heflin - President

Amy is a Christian and a full-time homemaker with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has been a parent for 21 years and a foster parent for the past 12 years with AGAPE of North Alabama. Once a year, she co-teaches TIPS/MAPPS (foster parent) training classes with the director of AGAPE. Her family is mission-minded toward the foster care system and works together to show the family’s love to the children who come into their home.

When Amy and Tony first heard about Isaiah 117 House and the changes they were making to the foster care system, they were inspired. They didn’t talk about it together until several months later, when Tony approached Amy and said he was ready to start a house like theirs. It had also been on her mind and in her prayers, but she only considered it a dream at that point. When they found out they had both been praying and dreaming about the same thing, it was as if God was saying, “GO!”

They prayed for God to send willing hearts to be their closest helpers in this effort, and they came. They formed the Board of Directors and filed for incorporation in June of 2023.

Tony Heflin - Vice President

Tony is a Christian, father, and nerd for all things tech. Currently he works in cyber-security in Huntsville, AL. He grew up in a very large family that often experienced the best drama around, but at the end of the day they all loved each other, even if they were far from perfect. Because of this, he has had a lifelong love of children. “The more I hang around children, the more I can keep acting like one.”

Chris Phillips - Secretary

Chris is a Bible-believing Christian and faithful member of church, who hails from St. Louis, MO, but has been in Huntsville for over 20 years. At home he describes himself as blessed to be the father of wonderful twin girls. He says that seeing them grow and mature into incredible young women has inspired him to work with children in the foster care system. Like so many in Huntsville, Chris works in software engineering and admits he really does like to code.

Bryan Ridenour - Treasurer

Bryan is a former paramedic and FEMA officer who was injured in the line of duty, leading to permanent partial disability. He is now a stay-at-home dad to two boys and is married to Gina.

He and his wife fostered two nieces who are now grown with kids of their own. As a child, he grew up understanding the foster care system. His mother worked for AGAPE of North Alabama for 22 years as an office manager and fundraiser, and his parents did respite care for foster parents. He was on the AGAPE of North Alabama board for four years.

Beth Green - Fundraising Chair

Hello, I am Beth Green. I am from Pleasantville, Tennessee, originally, but I have made Madison, Alabama, my home for almost 20 years. I am married to Mark, and we have two children, Aislyn (17) and Kaylan (11).

I graduated from Hickman County High in 1993, earned my bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Freed Hardeman University in 1997, and in 2002 I completed my master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Middle Tennessee State University. I spent six years in my hometown school system before working two years teaching at Harvest Elementary School. When my oldest was born, I began the adventure of being a stay-at-home mom. When she began school, I started my work in the PTA at West Madison Elementary School where I served as the VP of Programs. While there, two others and I created a house system and our own style of fundraising. I have been the fundraising chair with the PTA for the last nine years. As my youngest child is leaving elementary school, I will bring those fundraising talents to The Foster House Project.

With a passion for God and a love for children, I hope to help create a place of love and hope for children who need it most. I feel in my heart that everything I have been working on and learning up to this point has led me here, where my talents can be used for the greater good.

Paige North - Board Member

Hi, I’m Paige! I’m a new board member for The Foster House Project, and I’m so grateful to be part of something that makes a real difference for kids in foster care. My background is in nursing. I started out as an RN and later went back to school to get my master’s in healthcare informatics. These days, I work as an informatics nurse for the Department of Veterans Affairs, combining my love of data and technology with my heart for helping others.

My passion for foster care started through my husband, who has worked with children who’ve experienced trauma in their past. Hearing their stories and seeing what they’ve gone through opened my eyes! These children face so much, and none of it is their fault. When I learned about the mission of The Foster House Project, I knew right away it was something I wanted to be a part of.

I love the beach, going to theme parks and riding roller coasters, or hanging out with my husband and our two dogs. I believe every child deserves safety, love, and the chance to just be a kid! I’m honored to help make that happen through The Foster House Project.