Meet The Foster Life Team

Wade & Wendy Smith

Wendy and Wade Smith have been involved in foster care for over fourteen years and have five adopted children in addition to their four biological sons. Currently they run Fruit Valley Orchard in Oswego and Wade is a Pastor at Sterling Valley Church.

Sarah & Joe Melita

Joe and Sarah Melita are high school sweethearts who have been married for 18 years. They have 3 biological children,  2 adopted children and 1 child with them in foster care currently. The Melitas have been foster parents for almost 8 years, while it has been quite challenging it has also been extremely rewarding.  Sarah is a stay at home mom, Joe works at Saab; the family lives in Hannibal NY

Danny & Alyse Oostdyk

Danny and Alyse have been foster parents since 2019 and have three daughters and a son. Together, they run Camp Foundations, a Christian summer camp, at Grace and Glory Ministries in Oswego. Alyse is also a nurse and Danny is an elder at the Oswego Alliance Church and runs a zoo at Grace and Glory. 

Jillian Pritchard

Jillian Pritchard has been a foster parent since 2016, fostering several children during that time who have either gone home or have gone on to their adoptive families. She has also done respite care for many children for short periods of time. Jillian lives in Oswego with her best friend and currently has two small children living with her. She became a foster parent because she saw the need in our community and knew she could do something to help! She believes everyone can play a role in making sure all children have a safe place to call home.

Sarah & Ryan Maxam

Ryan and Sarah have been involved in foster care since 2015.  Through foster care they have adopted 3 beautiful children making them a family of 8.  They feel they are in a supportive roll now as they try to come along side others that are doing foster care. Ryan is a full time fireman, farmer and father.  Sarah takes care of the home and helps run the farm.   Together they strive to serve God and their community. 

Brandee Howland

​Jeff and Brandee Howland have been foster parents since 2017. Between biological and adopted they now have 10 children. Jeff works as a bus driver at the Hannibal school district and Brandee is a stay at home mom. They look forward to helping more foster families in their endeavors.

Lisa Carney

Lisa and Billy Carney have been passionate supporters of foster families for over 14 years. "Aunt Lisa and Uncle Billy" to the Smith's adopted kids, they've spent years helping with rides to games and appointments, babysitting, attending birthdays and more, becoming a key support to their family. Lisa is a retired Special Education teacher and currently is an Educational Advocate for children in need. Billy is a retired school bus driver and enjoys helping out however he can.