Ariel has been married to her husband Michael for 15 years. They both originate from the Midwest but have been in San Antonio for 9 years and are part of a collective of house churches on the west side.

Together they have 5 children and one precious foster daughter. They have shared a common passion for child advocacy since they began dating. They are a foster and adoptive family and are passionate about advocating for children in need everywhere, but particularly in San Antonio.

Ariel worked with young adults in campus ministry throughout college and was involved in youth ministry alongside Michael during the beginning of their marriage. She has always been passionate about young adults. Over the last decade the Lord has given her a particular passion for young adults who have aged out of foster care and have never been adopted. After working as a nurse for over a decade, the Lord transitioned her into a season to pursue ministering to the youth aging out of foster care in San Antonio.

Michael and Ariel were introduced to Jennifer Smith, the founder of the Alliance, shortly after moving to San Antonio and beginning to foster. The journey their family and church have been on alongside the STAFO has been nothing short of life-changing.

For Ariel, the opportunity to be a part of a movement to provide family connections for youth who have aged out of foster care is a dream come true; and to do it as part of the STAFO is such a gift! !

If you are interested in reaching these young adults with love and support, in any way, please reach out to Ariel!