About Us

Generous neighbors, working for Durham’s foster children.

Volunteers from across the Triangle, united by one belief: every child deserves someone who believes in them.

Why Foster Kids Need a Friend

To fill the GAPs.

There is a gap between what government can provide and what these kids actually need. And there is a gap in a child’s sense of self-esteem and self-worth that comes from being uprooted, again and again.

“New homes mean new rules, new schools, new people — over and over again.”

An adult and child gently holding hands
Children's books and colored pencils
We Support Guardian Ad Litems

Who Guardian Ad Litems Are

A Guardian Ad Litem is a specially trained, court-appointed individual who represents the best interests of the child. They advocate for and protect the interests of children who cannot fully advocate for themselves.

Guardians build a relationship with the child, gather information from teachers, doctors, and foster families, review records, and make recommendations to the court — making sure each child’s voice is heard.

Meet Our Working Board

The people behind the mission

Volunteers who give their time, experience, and resources to meet the needs of children in foster care.

Todd Yates

Todd Yates

Board Chair

Todd has been supporting foster kids via the Guardian Ad Litem for nearly 30 years. For most of those years it was financial support with some occasional elbow grease on various projects. In early 2025, after retiring from Gallagher, Todd accepted the request to lead the Friends group board. With a vision to update the processes for administering the foundation and for modernizing the fundraising, he set forward to assemble our current board to help these children.

The mission is the same! Help fill in the gaps that the various government support systems don’t fill, do it in real time, to help bring some stability and normalcy to the lives of our foster children.

One of Todd’s core beliefs is that our young people are truly our future and that helping to assist them in reaching their full potential is an effort worth supporting! “I am thrilled with the efforts of our board to further assist these children of neglect and abuse. I encourage you to join in with us to help bring support to their futures!”

Debbie Churchill

Debbie Churchill

Board Member
Amy Dozer

Amy Dozer

Board Member

Amy is a real estate paralegal with a background in nonprofit work focused on creating better opportunities for children.

Growing up in a family that raised foster children, Amy developed a passion for helping children and a belief that every child deserves to feel supported, cared for, and valued.

That experience is what drew Amy to the mission of Friends of Foster Children. She is excited to support children in the foster care system and the Guardian Ad Litems who advocate for them, and to play a small part in ensuring every child has someone in their corner.

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Robin Dozer

Board Member
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Richard Keebler

Board Member
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Ken Lerner

Board Member

Ken’s professional background is in healthcare and health insurance, where he has built and commercialized products and services. He is excited to bring that experience to Friends of Foster Children and contribute to its mission in North Carolina.

Before becoming involved with Friends, Ken had limited understanding of the challenges facing children in foster care. He has come to appreciate just how disadvantaged and vulnerable many of these children are—and how much they can benefit from having someone in their corner. He finds it deeply rewarding and energizing to contribute his time and experience to help children overcome disadvantages they did not create.

Greg McLeod

Greg McLeod

Board Member

Greg grew up in Durham and attended Durham public schools. He is married and has one daughter. Greg has always had a commitment to public service and working to support his community and North Carolina. As a Durham native, he is excited to serve on the Friends of Foster Children Board with a mission to meet the specific and unmet needs of children in foster care. He and his family are proud financial supporters of this Foundation’s mission, and he invites others to join in meeting the critical needs of children in foster care.

Ready to help a Durham child feel safe, seen, and supported?