DC127 Staff

Tara Woods

Executive Director
tara@dc127.org
202.670.1145 ext. 4

For the past 25+ years, I have lived and worked in the Washington, D.C. area, primarily serving vulnerable populations. My journey began in the mid-90s through internships and studies with Center for Students Missions and School for Urban Missions where my eyes were first opened to the inequalities, brokenness, and trauma that so many experience in our great city.

Kelsie Johnson

Director of Programs
kelsie@dc127.org
202.670.1145 ext. 3

I believe in meeting people where they are and providing them with something they need and want. The call of Micah 6:8, ‘to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God’ has led me to hold roles advocating for women, children and families. I have invested my time, energy and effort to come alongside survivors of sex trafficking, abuse, addiction and trauma.

Matthew Carolan

Development and Communications

Manager

matthew@dc127.org

202-670-1145 ext. 5

Prior to DC127 I worked as a Policy Assistant for Family Equality and as an Advocacy and Communication’s Fellow at the Franciscan Action Network. I also have a Bachelors and Master’s degree from Ithaca College and a second Master’s degree from Lehigh University.

Amaka Okonneh

Church Mobilization Coordinator

amaka@dc127.org

202-670-1145 ext. 2

As the daughter of Nigerian and Grenadian immigrants, serving others was instilled in me from a young age. As I grew up, I knew I wanted to devote my life to loving others. Therefore, it’s truly a privilege to serve DC127 families as the Church Mobilization Coordinator. Over the years, God has given me such a heart for women and children especially in terms of the foster care and adoption community.

Aaron and Amy

Founders

What started in Aaron and Amy's home just a few years ago has now grown into a church reaching hundreds and hundreds of people in two locations in our nations capital. They first fostered a teenage boy in Boston and are now parents to Elijah and Natalie who are both adopted from South Carolina.

Yolanda Jones

Board Chair

Professor, University of the District of Columbia

“I am a DC127 board member because we use wholistic measures to strengthen vulnerable families and help them move from despair to hope and from hope to a brighter future.”

Rev. Donald L. Isaac Sr.

Pastor, SE Tabernacle Baptist Church
University of the District of Columbia

"I am answering DC127's call to connect people of faith with families in the District."

Aaron Graham

Lead Pastor, The District Church

"I believe healthy churches are known by their active engagement in the community; that mature disciples of Jesus are known by their sacrificial service; and that healthy cities are known by the unity among churches working together to alleviate poverty and suffering. Not for our own glory, but for God's."

Gerald Mayfield

Senior Company Counsel, Wells Fargo

“I am on the DC127 board to bring glory to God. I also have a shared history and experience with the families served by DC127. It’s personal to me.”

Emily Bloomfield

Founder and Board Member, Monument Academy
Senior Advisor, The District Church

“It is an honor to serve on DC127's board. The mission of ensuring all children in DC have a safe and stable home blesses the entire community, including those who participate in this ministry.”

DC127 Church Partners

Since our founding, DC127’s goal has been to see the church fully committed to and engaged in caring for children and families whose lives have been impacted by the foster care system in Washington, D.C. Partnering with churches is strategic: Communities of support that seek to love and serve one another already exist within congregations and the church is called to “care for orphans and widows in their distress.” The church is uniquely positioned to make sustainable change in the lives of children and families in our city. DC127 provides outreach volunteer opportunities through the Communities for Families and Foster Care Support programs. We also recruit and support new foster parents who welcome a youth into their homes. Volunteers work within their own congregations and across churches to unify the body of Christ in the greater D.C. metro area. Click on the location to see where our church advocates are from.