About Us
Our Programs
OUR HISTORY
About The Founder: In 2017, Joy Miller began researching the challenges youth face when they age out of foster care. Determined to find a way to meet the needs of these under-served youth, she began volunteering as a CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) for foster children and started developing the vision for WAY Alliance. Joy officially founded WAY Alliance in March 2018 with the support of founding board members Jo Warren, Angela Cox, and DeeAnn Farmer. Joy served as Board Chair for five years and Executive Director for six. She resigned effective May 31, 2024.
2017: In February 2017, our founder embarked on a mission to understand the challenges youth aging out of foster care face. Her determination to find solutions for these under-served youth led to a year of research into evidence-based strategies.
2018: In early 2018, our founder's dedication bore fruit as WAY Alliance was officially established as a Texas nonprofit organization, received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS, and the founding board of directors held their initial meeting in April. The rest of 2018 was spent developing policies and procedures, developing our trauma-informed mentor training, building community relationships, and recruiting volunteers.
2019: WAY Alliance took flight in April 2019 with the launch of our mentorship program. We trained our first cohort of mentors and began matching youth with these dedicated individuals. By the end of 2019, we had trained three cohorts of mentors and hosted two social events for the youth and mentors—a Main Event outing and a Christmas party.
2020: We trained one more cohort of mentors and hosted our first life skills event in early 2020 before the COVID lockdowns began. Our life skills event was held at Chick-fil-A, where the youth learned about how to be good employees, participated in mock group and one-on-one interviews, and received individualized feedback from the managers. Despite the challenges posed by the lockdowns, mentors continued to meet and communicate with their mentees, adhering to the guidelines of their mentee's placement and their own personal safety guidelines. We hired our first paid staff member in October, a part-time Match Coordinator.
2021: Our board held its first Strategic Planning Meeting in January. We trained five more cohorts of mentors, participated in community events that honored the academic achievements of foster youth and made them aware of the resources we have to offer, met with organizations in the community that serve foster youth, and hosted our first fundraising event, Painting for a Purpose, with Painting with a Twist. At the end of the year, we had 26 active matches.
2022: We trained two cohorts of mentors and continued to participate in community events to increase awareness of the resources we provide in the foster community. Our second paid part-time staff member, a Clinical Director, was hired in June. In December, our mentors and mentees enjoyed a Christmas party hosted by St. David of Wales Episcopal Church. At the end of the year, we had 21 active matches.
2023: We trained two more cohorts of mentors and continued to participate in community events. Our mentor training material was revamped and launched in September, and our monthly giving plan, Waymaker Initiative, was launched in November. At the end of the year, we had 20 active matches.
2024: Our 2024 story is a work in progress!
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF
Izell Bennett
Treasurer, Board MemberIzell has over 17 years of experience in social services, working with diverse populations including the homeless, foster care, juvenile corrections, education, and community sectors. He and his family relocated to North Texas in 2011 after managing Harper House, a transitional living program for Juvenile Offenders in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Izell worked at Journey to Dream, a local non-profit, servicing homeless youth through their transitional programs and school groups. Then in 2017, he led the establishment of Kyle’s Place, Journey to Dream’s transitional housing for homeless teenagers. In 2020, Izell helped Ranch Hand Rescue, a local non-profit that is an animal sanctuary and counseling center, to establish Bob’s House of Hope, the first safe house for male sex trafficking victims in North Texas.
Izell has also served on multiple committees and task forces that address social issues, such as C7 Human Trafficking Coalition, Denton Homeless Coalition, and Denton’s Food Insecurity Committee. He currently serves on the Executive Board for Friends of Shiloh Gardens, which is a 14.5 acres community garden in Denton, TX that grows produce for local food pantries and charities. Izell is an ordained minister of the Gospel and currently works as the Vice President of Community Relations and Impact at First Refuge Ministries in Denton.
In his free time, Izell enjoys photography, music, and making up songs with his 13-year-old daughter. He also owns over 100 pairs of shoes.
Angela Cox, CPA
Administrative Manager, Board ChairAngela serves as Administrative Manager and Board Chair. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from East Texas State University and is a licensed CPA.
Angela devoted years to raising and homeschooling her daughter, who is now an adult. She is passionate about encouraging youth to make their own path and select the career that's right for them. Angela enjoys reading, genealogy, quilting, and learning new things in her free time.
José Galindo, MSW
Board MemberJosé has worked in various roles in the non-profit sector for several years. His focus has been children and families. He enjoys working with both to ensure the best possible outcome for the youth.
He currently provides Crisis Case Management to unaccompanied minors with the International Rescue Committee and, in a recent role, has overseen the Home Study and Post Release Program at Mosaic Family Services. José also served in the US Army as a combat medic, providing life-saving care to paratroopers in the 82nd Airborne Division. He is a passionate advocate for minority communities and believes every youth has a voice waiting to be heard.
In his free time, he can be found reading a mystery novel, spending time outside, or spending time with his family.
James Hentz, LPC
Board Vice ChairJames is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works in the Intervention Department at Fort Worth Independent School District. James works directly with students that have been identified at being at risk of failure or expulsion due to behaviors in the classroom. James provides individual and group counseling to the students. James works with a collaborative support team to help address these issues so that the student can return to a healthy level of functioning in life and improve performance in the classroom.
James previously worked for Child Protective Services for more than 12 years. While there, he managed their Family Group Decision Making Program. James oversaw a team of Facilitators who worked with youth that would be aging out of foster care by providing a strategic plan of successful transition into adulthood. In addition, James oversaw Facilitators who mediated the potential removal of a child from their home by providing a platform for Families and Investigators to develop a Safety Plan to keep the child safe.
James has a passion for service and enjoys donating his time helping to empower others. During his leisure time, James enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. They have a thirst for travel, whether by car or plane, and often seek destinations that have some of the world's most beautiful beaches.
Kristen James, Attorney
Secretary, Board MemberKristen is an attorney who primarily handles cases involving insurance defense and estate planning. Her legal experience also includes breach of contract, personal injury, and all aspects of family litigation.
Kristen holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, Louisiana, and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. She received her legal education at the University of North Texas-Dallas College of Law as a member of the university's inaugural class. She is licensed to practice law in both the State of Texas and the State of Oklahoma.
Before becoming an attorney, Kristen worked as an advocate for children, as a caseworker for Dallas Child Protective Services, and a caseworker supervisor for C.A.S.A of Denton County. Kristen is passionate and unwaveringly dedicated to the well-being of her clients and the community, which makes her a standout and zealous advocate in her legal practice and will make her a great asset to our Board of Directors.
In her spare time, Kristen enjoys being outdoors with her husband and seven children.
Amy Watson, LPC
Clinical Director, Board MemberAmy is a licensed professional counselor and has worked with children, adults, and families for 20 years with a focus on those in the foster care system. She has counseled survivors of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and has extensive experience working with children that have behavioral and emotional issues. Amy provides trauma-informed services for children and families with a collaborative, strengths-focused approach.
Amy has two sons, and she enjoys spending time with her family and working out. She is passionate about helping youth from foster care achieve their best future.