Meet The Founders & Governing Board
Village Leadership
Omwana’s Village was founded by four foster moms who recognized an unmet need in Lincoln and Pike Counties and stood together to fill the gap. With years of experience in foster care and adoption through foster care, these foster and adoptive moms share a heart for supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families—especially those without an existing support network. They are committed to connecting families with resources and partnering with local organizations to strengthen support and build meaningful connections within the community.
The Founders
Founder
Ann Denslow
Ann and her husband have been actively fostering for over 28 years, continuing to open their home to children in need. Through Omwana’s Village, Ann is passionate about supporting other foster, adoptive, and kinship families by providing clothing and essential supplies—especially during the often overwhelming first days of a new placement.
She loves creating a welcoming space where children, particularly older youth, can shop, try things on, and leave with full bags of clothes and a renewed sense of dignity and care.
Ann’s journey was deeply shaped by her mentor, Marie, who fostered 196 children and adopted six. Marie continued fostering into her late 80s, with her final placement being twin preemies at age 87—an inspiring example of a true servant’s heart. Ann is grateful for that legacy and for the three other women who helped found Omwana’s Village, whom she is blessed to call friends.
Founder
April Jordan
April and her family have been a licensed foster family for nine years, and she continues to walk closely alongside the challenges and needs that foster families face every day. She understands the importance of both physical resources and emotional support, having experienced those moments firsthand.
Early in her journey, April received a placement call for three children who arrived with nothing. In that overwhelming moment, a small group of friends showed up with everything needed to help the children feel safe, loved, and welcomed. That experience helped inspire the vision for Omwana’s Village—because not every family has someone they can call in those moments.
Alongside three other local foster and adoptive moms, April helped found Omwana’s Village to be that support system for families in the community. She is passionate about reminding others that even if they cannot foster, they can still make a difference—because it truly takes a village, and no act of support is too small.
Founder
Brittany Martz
Brittany believes every child should have the opportunity to shop and have nice things, regardless of the circumstances that brought them into foster care—whether entering a stranger’s home or staying with family. She is passionate about helping children feel cared for and reassured during uncertain transitions, reminding them that what they’ve lost can be restored and that people truly care about them.
With over a decade of fostering experience, Brittany understands that many foster and kinship families don’t ask for help. They often carry the weight on their own until the need becomes overwhelming, which is why she encourages others not to wait to be asked, but to step in and offer support willingly.
Brittany and her family first felt called to foster more than 16 years ago and were licensed for over 10 years. During that journey, they were blessed to welcome four children into their family through adoption—something they hadn’t planned but embraced as part of God’s purpose. Today, she is a mom of seven children spanning a 19-year age range and is grateful for the relationships, growth, and opportunities to support other families through Omwana’s Village.
Founder
Jennifer Adams
Jennifer and her family have been a licensed foster family for six years, and she has found deep joy in serving through Omwana’s Village. She values working alongside other foster and adoptive moms who provide both support and laughter when it’s needed most. One of her favorite parts of the foster closet is watching children shop—seeing them experience choice, excitement, and a sense of dignity during a difficult season.
She hopes more people understand that foster and adoptive parents are not superhuman—they are families doing their best, just like anyone else. They have hard days too and need encouragement, rest, and support along the way. Jennifer encourages others not to hesitate in offering help, whether it’s a call to check in, a meal, or time to rest, knowing those gestures often mean more than people realize.
When she isn’t volunteering, Jennifer can usually be found at a horse show or at the barn. Over the past year, she has even mastered pulling a four-horse trailer—something she’s proud to have taken on.
Governing Board
Dedication • Expertise • Passion
The Omwana’s Village Governing Board is made up of dedicated volunteers who commit to serving a minimum of two years, helping guide the mission and vision of the organization. Board members are deeply passionate about the work and the families we serve, and they bring a wide variety of skills, experiences, and perspectives to strengthen and support the ministry.
Brittany Noah
Brittany was drawn to the foster care community through her sister-in-law, Jennifer Adams, whose journey as a foster parent gave her a firsthand look at both the challenges and impact of foster care. What began as an outside perspective quickly grew into a deeper understanding as she attended court hearings and listened to the stories of children and families. Those experiences inspired her to become involved and find meaningful ways to support the foster and adoptive community through Omwana’s Village.
Brittany is passionate about raising awareness of the uncertainty that comes with foster care. She has seen how quickly timelines and plans can change, often leaving families with little control over the situation. She deeply believes foster parents demonstrate incredible strength—continually providing stability, love, and reassurance to children while navigating constant transitions.
As a stay-at-home mom of three, Brittany is actively involved in her children’s school and community, frequently volunteering at events and activities. She is also a licensed cosmetologist and a high school cheer coach, roles that reflect her love for building connections and encouraging others. Whether serving her family or her community, Brittany is dedicated to showing up, giving back, and making a positive impact wherever she can.
Jenni Moeller
Jenni was originally drawn to Omwana’s Village through her friendship with founder Brittany Martz and began volunteering as the organization grew. What started with sorting clothes soon became a deeper commitment, and she now serves on the board. She finds joy in seeing how the foster closet has grown and in witnessing the behind-the-scenes care that goes into making sure children entering care have what they need.
Jenni is passionate about supporting foster and adoptive families because she believes every child is a gift from God and deserves to be treated as a blessing. Through the journeys of close friends who have fostered and adopted, she has seen both the joys and challenges firsthand. Those experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the work these families do and a lasting love for the children whose lives are being impacted.
Jenni holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and has spent the past 18 years homeschooling her six children. She values creating a home where children feel safe, secure, and free to learn and grow. When she’s not volunteering, you can find her driving her kids to activities, cooking or baking, or reading a good book—often discussing it with her church community book club.
Denise Dryer
Denise is passionate about the impact a foster closet can have, believing it goes far beyond providing clothing and essentials—it restores dignity, eases overwhelming moments, and reminds both children and caregivers that they are not alone. Through her involvement with Omwana’s Village, she is committed to helping create that sense of care and support for every family served.
She is inspired by individuals who use their influence and opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Denise shares that same heart for service, using her work and time to support foster, adoptive, and kinship families, advocate for stability and opportunity, and create lasting, positive impact within her community. She believes that small, consistent acts of kindness can lead to powerful ripple effects.
In her day-to-day life, Denise works in real estate and enjoys helping families find stability through housing. When she isn’t working or volunteering, you can find her enjoying live music, good food, and time with friends—or relaxing at home with her two beloved dogs, Kammy and Stormy, who bring plenty of personality and joy to her life.
Jamie Gittemeier
Jamie was drawn to Omwana’s Village through her deep love for children and her desire to serve families who are walking through foster care. As the aunt of founder Jennifer Adams, she has seen firsthand the impact that support and community can have on children in care, and she brings a genuine heart for helping wherever she is needed.
Jamie believes that kindness is at the center of everything—that we never truly know what someone else may be facing, and that leading with compassion can make a lasting difference. Her approach to serving others is rooted in that belief, offering encouragement, presence, and a willingness to step in and help whenever she can.
When she isn’t volunteering, Jamie cherishes time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Whether they are sharing coffee, shopping, spending time at the pool, or planning their next gathering together, she finds joy in creating meaningful moments and lasting memories with her family. She is also honored to have been recognized as Wentzville’s Person of the Year, a reflection of her heart for service and community.
Delia Crane
Delia was drawn to Omwana’s Village because she believes in the power of identifying a need and taking action to meet it. She admires the vision behind the foster closet and the proactive approach taken to support children and families in foster care. To Delia, the impact of a foster closet can be summed up in a simple phrase: "See a need, meet a need." She values organizations that recognize challenges within their community and are willing to step forward with practical solutions that create lasting impact.
Since the late 1990s, Delia has dedicated her career to advocating for youth and families. She has served in numerous roles across Missouri’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems, including as an adolescent substance abuse counselor, a Children’s Division caseworker, and a licensing worker. She is especially proud of the time she spent training foster parents to better understand trauma and the realities of the foster care system. Today, she serves as a Service Coordinator Supervisor for the Missouri Division of Youth Services Northeast Region. Her decades of experience, combined with her passion for supporting children and families, make her a tremendous asset to the mission of Omwana’s Village.
When she is not working or volunteering, Delia enjoys spending time with her family and investing in the lives of others. She is a devoted wife and mother, a faithful mentor to children and families, and a trusted friend to many throughout the Lincoln County community. One piece of advice that has shaped her approach to both life and service is: "Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing." She believes that thoughtful patience can create space for growth, responsibility, and meaningful solutions, allowing others the opportunity to develop their own strengths and resilience.
Cindy Clark
Cindy Clark was drawn to Omwana’s Village through her own foster care journey and a desire to support families answering the call to foster. Having experienced firsthand the encouragement and support of friends, family, and community throughout seven years of fostering, she is passionate about creating that same sense of hope and belonging for others. Cindy has personally witnessed the impact Omwana’s Village has on children and families and is grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside an organization that provides dignity, practical support, and encouragement during times of transition.
Professionally, Cindy serves as an elementary school counselor and previously spent 19 years as an elementary music teacher. Her career working with children and families has equipped her with strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills that support the mission of Omwana’s Village. She believes that foster care is not a journey foster families should walk alone and is passionate about helping others understand that everyone can play a meaningful role in supporting children in care, whether or not they foster themselves.
When she is not volunteering or working, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, thrifting, and embracing the joy and chaos of a full house. She and her husband are blessed with seven children, two grandchildren, five dogs, twelve chickens, and one rooster. Inspired by her mother’s example of serving others with grace and generosity, Cindy strives to live by the simple advice that guides her life: honor and serve God, and love and serve people.