Meet the YMCA Foster Care Team

Julia has been with the Y since 2018. She has more than 10 years of experience serving children and their families. Prior to working in foster care, she worked in early learning serving children with disabilities. This gave her a solid foundation in recognizing the value of providing care that is individualized to a child’s needs. As Director of Foster Homes, she oversees the Y’s Child Placing Agency, Behavioral Rehabilitation Services Program, and Caregiver Support Services Program. The families her teams support live from Marysville to Puyallup, and include licensed foster families, kinship providers, and families who have recently reunified. She believes when caregivers are supported and cared for, children thrive. In her free time, she enjoys knitting and exploring the beautiful beaches we have in Washington.

Waneh Abnoos is the Program Director II over the YMCA’s Child Placing Agency, Behavioral Rehabilitation Services, Caregiver Support Services, and Foundational Community Supports programs. She has worked at the YMCA of Greater Seattle for 11 years and at the Social Impact Center for the last seven years. She started as a Case Manager in the Independent Living Program and worked her way up through various leadership positions. She has worked closely with foster care for eight years and loves working with families and youth! On a personal note, she loves crafts and DIY projects and is constantly looking for new things that catch her eye. She also enjoys exploring all of Washington State, the greenery is always breathtaking. She moved up here about 11 years ago and has loved it ever since!

Alyssa is the Lead Foster Home Licensor at the Y and has been with our agency since 2018. Ever since she was young, she knew she always wanted to support children and families. Becoming a Licensor felt like a great way to support families in the process of their goal to provide stability to vulnerable youth. Her role is specifically to support families through the licensing process, assisting with questions and resources along the way, and then to help maintain their licenses once they are approved through DCYF. She enjoys getting to know foster parents and learning more about their motivations for being a part of the Y's Community of Fostering and supporting youth in care. Over the years she has seen families grow through this journey in foster care and it is rewarding to work alongside them as they provide the best care to youth.

Eliza has been a Foster Care Licensor with the Y since 2022. Before joining the Y, she studied education and spent 15 years working with infants, toddlers, and school aged children. While licensing may not sound like the most exciting topic, Eliza appreciates that every day brings something new to learn and a fresh challenge to solve. One of her favorite parts of the job is visiting foster families in their homes and getting to know the caregivers who provide safe, supportive environments for children in out-of-home care. Outside of work, Eliza enjoys cheering on Seattle's professional women's sports teams: the Torrent, Reign FC, and the Storm. During the school year, she also plays in a recreational ice hockey league—a sport she didn't take up until her late 30s. She's a strong believer in trying new things as an adult, even when they feel intimidating. Since children are often asked to step outside their comfort zones, she believes those experiences help adults better understand what young people are feeling.

Nanette is the Y’s Foster Home Placement Coordinator and started with the Y 6 years ago. After years of working as a Child Protective Services investigator with DCYF, as a child and family therapist, and raising her three children, she decided to return to foster care and follow the work she’s always felt most passionate about: helping children find safe, nurturing, and loving homes. She was especially drawn to the Y because its values closely align with her own. She strongly believes in prioritizing reunification whenever possible and in creating an inclusive foster care community that welcomes and supports caregivers and children of all races, ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is finding homes that honor a child’s culture, identity, and sense of belonging. Whenever possible, she works hard to place children with families where they can see themselves reflected—whether through race, culture, or language. Helping children maintain those important connections is something she cares deeply about.

Jessica is our Foster Home Recruitment & Retention Specialist and supports both prospective and licensed caregivers and their families. She has been with the Y for over 6 years and looks for opportunities every day to expand our outreach and improve our programs. A part of her job is attending community events and hosting monthly information sessions to talk with community members interested in fostering. She also organizes events for our licensed caregivers and provides one-on-one parent coaching. She is very passionate about recruiting qualified caregivers and then providing them with excellent support as the navigate opening their home to youth in care. She comes into this position as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who worked in Youth Development in Azerbaijan and in social services supporting adults experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse issues. She will be one of the first people you will talk with while exploring this journey.