Team Members

Kara Cox

Board Member – President

Kara and her husband Brandon have three children and have been resource parents for about 8 years. In that time, they’ve had 12 children come through their home and have seen the many ups and downs of the child welfare system.

Kara has numerous years of experience working with children directly, leading volunteers, planning events, and creating relationships within her community. She is most excited to see the needs of children in care and resource families to be met in a way that only God can do!

Barbara Claudel

Board Member – Treasurer

My husband Slater & I have been married for 37 years, live in Palermo and am the proud mom of four adult children, five grandchildren, and one foster son, who we hope to finalize permanency soon.  For the past six years, we have had eight permanent placements and many more short respite stays.  As a foster parent, we have learned many tough lessons, seen the sad state of the system, but have also experienced the joy of seeing children grow and thrive with the love they so desperately need.  

I believe we are exactly where God wants us in this journey.   Throughout our time fostering, Project Sparrow has been incredible, whether through support, fellowship or activities for the children.   When the need arose to become more active as a board member, God provided wisdom in His perfect time.    I want to be the person who helps other families through this journey, and I am excited for the future of Project Sparrow! 

Laurie Tomascik

Board Member – Secretary

Laurie and her husband Chris have been therapeutic resource parents since 2012. They have three biological adult children, Gwen, Molly, and Samuel. They have an adopted son, Ricky age 21, and are in the process of adopting two young boys. Their daughter Molly and her husband, Joshua, are also licensed resource parents and Laurie says she cannot begin to describe how that has blessed her life!  

As resource parents, Laurie and Chris have had 10 children come into their home. Some for just weeks, some for years. This is not an easy journey, but it pales in comparison to what these children are faced with. Foster care is a monumental crisis, and Laurie believes that God’s people must step up and meet this need as the body of Christ.  

Laurie is excited to join the Board of Directors and looks forward to all that God has in store.  

James 1:27- “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” 

Melanie Milazzo

Board Member

Melanie and her husband, Chris, were resource parents from 2015-2023. In that time, they welcomed many children into their home, caring for them during uncertain and difficult times.

Melanie has served with Project Sparrow since 2018, as a board member first, then as executive director until the Lord led her family out of state.  She continues to be on the Board of Directors, helping to provide invaluable knowledge and vision for the future of Project Sparrow.  

Dayna Quimby

Board Member

Dayna and her husband, Joe, have been resource & adoptive parents since 2019, welcoming children in need into their home and hearts. They’ve opened their home to sets of siblings and were willing to offer love and stability to children navigating challenging circumstances. Dayna believes God called them to fulfill this significant mission of spreading love, and they are working through it every day.