Our Team
Each member of our team is a vital part of our movement and together we are actively involved in building our volunteer base, connecting to local church partners, providing support and supervision for Hosting and Support Friend arrangements, and sharing the gospel with families through relationships.
Lanna Blanchard
Executive Director
Lanna Blanchard, Founder and Executive Director of Family Hope, has served in various leadership roles in adoption, foster care, and family preservation, including with Bethany Christian Services and Safe Families for Children. Alongside her husband, Tim, Lanna has also served as Cru staff at Purdue University, UCLA, and Chicago’s Inner City Project. Lanna and Tim feel deeply blessed to have adopted five precious children from Korea, Lanna’s birth country. Today, they are equally blessed to love and enjoy their four grandchildren.
Lanna is passionate about partnering with churches to empower vulnerable and hurting families through the transformative power of the gospel. She is committed to serving every parent and child with dignity and honor while pointing them toward the redemptive grace of Jesus. In her free time, Lanna enjoys walking, swimming, and listening to messages that encourage her to pursue God’s heart more deeply. She never tires of hearing testimonies of how the Lord transforms lives in ways that nothing else can. A Bible verse shared with Lanna by her two younger brothers ultimately played a significant role in her decision to follow Christ while she was a college student at Indiana University. That verse, 2 Corinthians 5:17, continues to reflect the hope at the heart of her life and ministry:
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Jayla and her husband, Loovensky, have been married for over three years and have two sons. Jayla received her bachelor's degree in Urban Ministry from the College of Biblical Studies. Prior to joining the Family Hope team she served at a church helping to oversee the outreach ministry. In their free time her family loves all things sports and Jayla is always eager to try a latte from a new coffee shop. One of her favorite verses is found in Acts 20:24 which says, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
Amanda and her husband Jon have been married for over 10 years. Before starting their family, Amanda worked as a fourth grade teacher. When their first son was born, she changed careers to be a stay at home mom. The Lord has blessed the Halls with three energetic children and they attend Connection Point Christian Church in Brownsburg. In what little free time Amanda has, she enjoys crafting and doing small home decorating projects. Parenting and adulting and kidding is hard! Amanda relies heavily on her support system and her heart aches for those who haven't experienced Christ's love in this way. The entire family looks forward to hosting and spending time loving on little ones and coming alongside mamas to show them that the body of Christ is vast and strong and essential. One of Amanda's favorite Bible verses is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is Love."
Brooke is a Louisiana native and graduated from LSU with her degree in Business/Marketing. After working in Sales and Recruiting in Louisiana and Texas, the Lord began to stir her heart for full time ministry and call her away from her career. She followed the Lord's lead and served as a missionary in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 2 years. Thereafter, she was led to Calvary Chapel Bible College in Indiana where she is currently enrolled in classes. She is passionate about seeing others come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior as well as helping build community around those in need. Brooke enjoys walking and hiking, reading, and seeing new places. One of Brooke's favorite Bible verses is Ephesians 1:6, "...to the praise of the glory of HIS grace, by which HE made us accepted in the Beloved."
Laura has been married to her husband for over 20 years and they have three teenagers. After getting her degree in Social Work, Laura worked in the foster care system as a case manager. Since that time, her heart for seeing families strengthened before abuse or neglect occurs has only deepened. It is a privilege for her to see first-hand the ways in which the Church is called and equipped to circle around families facing crisis. Laura enjoys camping and hiking with her family, throwing pots on the pottery wheel, and long walks with good friends. Her favorite verse is Isaiah 43:18-19, “ Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Laura Mann
Director of Child Hosting & Ministry Support
Tina and Jeff are married and together in their blended family, they have six children. They attend Harvest Church in Westfield. Tina earned her bachelors degree from Purdue university in child development and family services and then went on to receive her masters degree in social work from Indiana University Purdue university Indiana. She has owned and operated her own business for 20 years. Tina has worked as a child life specialist at Riley Children’s Hospital, and walked alongside many patients and families in difficult times. More recently, she has volunteered at Open Doors Food Pantry, and Sweet Water. Since that time, her heart for walking with women and children in need has grown much stronger. She feels it is a true privilege to support and wrap around them to give them the love and support they need, and truly feels it is a blessing to be a blessing! Tina enjoys spending time with her family, doing the simplest of things to enjoy nature, and all of God's beautiful creations. One of Tina’s favorite Bible verses that she holds dear to her heart is, Proverbs 3:5-6, “ Trust in the lord, with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. “
Lindy and her husband Kyle have been married for over 5 years and attend Pennington Park Church. After getting her degree in Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Lindy worked at Liberty University in the Social Work Department while working towards her Masters in Human Services Counseling: Crisis Response & Trauma. Over the past few years, Lindy's heart for family preservation has grown as she has worked with at-risk youth and families. Lindy enjoys arts and crafts of any kind, playing board and card games, as well as spending time with family and friends. Her favorite verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, "...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Lindy Somers
Marketing &
Community Engagement
Amy, her husband Matthew, and their 4 children attend Antioch Church. Amy is a homeschooling mama with a background in Elementary Education and has served in a variety of community needs. Amy and Matthew love that they can serve both overseas and in our local community by just being willing to say a simple yes. They have been longtime supporters of family preservation and have served in various Family Hope roles including hosting children, coaching parents, and supporting families in need. Amy is always up for a relatable book or movie but really loves gathering her people around a fire or good meal to share time together. One of her favorite passages is Philippians 2:1-4. Amy shares, “It reminds me all too often that as I strive to achieve and help that I need to be mindful of being ‘of the same mind, have the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.’"
Meet our Board of Directors
Rex Bennett and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 41 years, and have two adult daughters. They worship at Christ Community Church. As an attorney, Rex has spent his career in the private practice of law, and higher education fundraising. His ministry and non-profit work has included board service for United World Mission/Overseas Council, Haven Sanctuary for Women, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, the Greenville University Board of Trustees, Heartland Film Festival, and the International Baseball Association. Rex tries, mostly in vain, to follow the admonition of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:1-3: “As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Chris Haynes is an IT and business process consultant with over 25 years of experience in the IT industry. He and his wife, Tara, felt called to engage in the Kingdom work of serving children and families in crisis, just as God has brought us into His family and showed us love and acceptance. Chris’s family has hosted 16 children in their home. Chris’s favorite verse is Galatians 6:9, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
Jennifer Manning is an Executive Coach and Business Consultant with over 20 years working within large companies in the corporate sector. She and her husband, Brian are the very proud parents of two boys, Oliver and Asher. They became involved with Family Hope as they have a deep desire to serve those in need. Jennifer’s heart for this work began when she was a child, as her father ran homes for abused and neglected children. She is extremely passionate about helping families stay together and parents receiving the support they need to be fully engaged with their children. Jennifer serves Family Hope as a Host Family, Support Coach, and board member. Her drive and strength comes from the Lord and Jennifer leans on the Word, particularly Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and Philippians 4:6 ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
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Jasmine Taylor and her husband have been married for ten years. They attend Psalms Missionary Baptist Church along with their 2 daughters. Together they serve in their family business, Brotherly Love. Jasmine has a background in Intervention and Prevention Family Services and is passionate about serving vulnerable populations. Her favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
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Rich Westlake and his bride of 49 years, Ellen, live in Greenwood, and are long-time members of Community Church of Greenwood. They have an adult son, daughter, and three grandsons. They have a passion for world evangelism, church planting, and discipleship. Rich has traveled on mission to Brazil, Taiwan, Iraq, and Burundi Africa. Both of their children have been involved in mission work and some of Rich’s favorite memories are ministering with their children in a foreign country. His professional experience includes many years of executive leadership in the roles of CEO, COO, and CFO. In addition to having worked in homebuilding, farming, contracting, consulting, and coaching, Rich has also recently served as CFO with two Indianapolis based nonprofit ministries. One of his life verses is Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another; tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
