About My Sister’s Keeper
My Sister’s Keeper, a brand new 20-bed facility, opened in 2022 on the west side of Owensboro.
For the last couple of years, Executive Director, Angel Welsh, has been working behind the scenes to make this dream a reality. My Sister’s Keeper will fill an incredibly important void here in Owensboro-Daviess County.
The mission of the shelter is specific and impactful:
My Sister’s Keeper Shelter mission is to improve the lives of women and children experiencing homelessness by providing temporary shelter, basic temporary needs, safety, support, education, tools and resources that empower them to improve the quality of their lives, help to equip them with the skills to achieve self-sufficiency, and build safe, secure lives.
My Sister’s Keeper is designed to assist each woman/child with a case by case assessment before entering our facility to determine the factors that led them to homelessness and if MSK is the proper fit for their needs. Whether the reasoning be addiction, mental health, or socioeconomic status, we encourage and make referrals for the ladies to begin the appropriate programs/case plans that can help them with recovery, securing safe housing and employment or mental health care. This may also mean ladies will be referred to other facilities better suited for their needs.
MSK is not a medical or mental health facility.
Angel serves as Executive Director for My Sister’s Keeper and she has assembled an excellent Board of Directors to help oversee operations and game plan for future of the facility. By the way, just for the record, Angel isn’t leaving the radio station. The Board of Directors is comprised of Allyson Sanders (President), Blake Templeton (Treasurer), Cheri Searcy, Adam Johnston, Angie Ditch and Hannah Witherspoon.
– Our Board –
Angela Welsh
Executive Director
Angel was born in Christian County, Kentucky but calls Owensboro home. She moved around 13 times before landing here in Daviess County. She grew up a dance and pageant girl and discovered a love for sports (soccer mainly) somewhere in the middle of it all. She is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College where she played soccer, cheered, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Angel has worked in both the Daviess County and Owensboro Public School Systems. She also worked for many years for the City of Owensboro in the Parks Department as a supervisor over Youth Programming and Leadership.
She has a passion for serving Owensboro-Daviess County and the tri-state area in a variety of ways from volunteering with numerous non-profit organizations and events, to being an active member of local advisory councils and committees. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Owensboro Family YMCA, on her church leadership board in the Marriage Ministry, she sits on event committees for St. Vincent De Paul, and is part of the Homeless Coalition of the Ohio Valley.
Angel is the founder and Executive Director for My Sister’s Keeper and says the shelter was not her dream it was a calling. She knows it is her purpose to serve women and children and help them to get to a better place in life. When she was younger she was raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. She remembers struggling and wants to meet others right where they are at and help them thrive.
Allyson Sanders
Board Chair
Allyson Sanders came to Owensboro to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College, from Paducah, KY. It was a KWC she met and married her college sweetheart Marshall Sanders. After graduating in 2005 with a B.S. in Communication Arts, they settled in Owensboro to raise their youngest daughters, Amari and Analea.
Service is Allyson’s passion. As a Director of Sales, Marketing & Experiential Learning at Owensboro Community and Technical College’s Workforce Solutions division, Ally serves by helping enhance lives through educational attainment and employment. She also serves through her membership on the YMCA Board, KWC Alumni board, the Neblett Center’s Initiative Western Academy steering committee, as well as volunteering at Dugan Best, Habitat for Humanity board, My Sisters Keeper board chair, former Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s Youth Director, 2020 Leadership graduate and Leadership Class Member of the year2020, 2021-22 Civic Leadership participant and in 2019 opened a local business The Party Space Place, LLC a micro venue dedicated to providing the community with a unique event space.
From the moment Angel first introduced the idea of bringing an emergency women’s shelter to Owensboro Allyson was all in. With a heart for service and a passion for seeing people reach their potential, taking part in this project was a no brainer. MSK, although branded as a women’s shelter is so much more, going beyond just being a “hot & cot” space, MSK is providing women and children with the resources to go beyond just a single night of safety but the goal is to provide them with enough to sustain a lifetime of self-sufficiency and support.
Lori Thurman
Treasurer
Lori Thurman is the Development Officer for Girls Incorporated. She taught social studies at Owensboro High School for 28 years where she was department chair, gifted specialist, and National Honor Society sponsor. Lori has attended the Owensboro Salvation Army for 30 years where she is the Corps Sergeant Major, Sunday school teacher, and brass band member. Lori has been married to Todd Thurman for 21 years , and they have two children, Max (19) and Gracie (15).
Lori currently assists My Sister’s Keeper with grant writing and fundraising. For the past three years, Lori has led the Salvation Army Can-TEEN homeless feeding ministry and seen firsthand the numbers of women and children who are living on the streets of Owensboro. “I am so excited for the shelter to open and meet the needs of women in our community. MSK’s mission aligns with my calling to love my neighbor.”
Tina Forrest
Secretary
Tina Forrest was born and raised in Paducah Kentucky. In her teens she was able to observe her mother and grandmother help run a homeless shelter that catered to homeless people from all walks of life. This shelter later moved to solely focus on single women and women with children. Being around that environment, she was able to see firsthand the impact of homelessness within her small community, especially to women with families.
After graduating high school in the year 2000, she moved to Owensboro with her twin sister Allyson Sanders to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College. After graduating in 2004, Tina planted roots here, applying her communications arts degree, with an emphasis in journalism to work at U.S. Bank, where she worked in several departments before settling into technical writing. Tina is also co-owner of TPSP, LLC, a micro-event venue in Owensboro where she performs administrative duties. She joined the MSK board in late 2022.
When she’s not working, Tina enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys running in her spare time, often signing up for 5k races to ½ marathons. She also enjoys playing and walking her fur babies beagle baby Oliver Stetson Forrest and Boston Terrier Frederick Forrest.
Mary Higginbotham
Hi! My name is Mary Higginbotham and I am a proud board member of My Sister’s Keeper (MSK). I currently work full time for the University of Kentucky and have been employed with UK for 9 years. Previously I worked at the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service and have been involved in various aspects of community leadership and volunteering. I am very passionate about working with local individuals and families in need especially in the areas of substance use recovery, homelessness and family/parenting development and stability.
I have been married to my husband, Dayne Higginbotham, for 15 years and we have two sons – Parker (14) and Tate (10). We spend a lot of time doing ALL the travel sports with our kiddos.
I am extremely excited to be a part of MSK and the mission to help women and children in our local community. The passion of our board members is something I love and I cannot wait to see the success and impact this shelter will have in our community.
Angie Ditch
Angie has been the Community Services Manager for Audubon Area Community Services since 2001.
Kelsey Skaggs
Kelsey started her career in law enforcement at the Owensboro Police Department before finding a home at the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. She has been in law enforcement for almost 9 years and is currently a sergeant in the Criminal Investigations Division. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is married to Ian Clark and has a bonus kiddo, Presley Clark. Kelsey loves CrossFit, beach trips, and is a co-owner with Big Turkey Foot Coffee. She has a passion for volunteering at Camp Marc (an adult summer camp for individuals with special needs), spreading awareness for mental health, and demonstrating that everyone can make a difference in the world. Kelsey says: “Working around humans that thrive on helping women and children become successful in life is exactly where I want to be. I cannot wait to see what ideas and adventures MSK brings to the table.”
Adam Johnston
Adam Johnston was born and raised right here in the great OBKY. Adam graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School and then went on to earn his Associates, Bachelors, and Masters Degrees. Adam has since retired from the Owensboro Police Department after 20 years of service. Adam has now joined the team at Precision Products as a Forensic Specialist.
Adam is the proud father is three kids, Ella, Aiden, and Reese. He is an active member of Immaculate Parish, a graduate of Leadership Owensboro 2018, and also owner operator of Blue Line Entertainment. Adam also volunteers on the Vision Committee for Puzzle Pieces.
I decided to be a part of MSK because I am always looking for ways to make a difference. In my 20 years of law enforcement experience I saw first-hand the presence of homelessness in our community and the lack of resources available. I feel like I bring something different to the table as well. Another reason I decided to join MSK is because honestly with a face like Angel’s, who could say no?
The sky is the limit when it comes to what MSK can do for this community. I am excited to see what difference we can make and how the community can come together. Together we all can make a difference.
Lauren Patton
Lauren Patton, a native of Owensboro, graduated from Ochs in 2002 and earned her degree from Brescia University in 2006.
With 25 years at Independence Bank, she now serves as the Charitable Foundation Manager. Additionally, she is the Owensboro Catholic K-8 PTO President and a member of the Brescia University Board of Trustees.
Lauren is married to Jonathan Patton and is a devoted mother to four children: Eli, Jack, Lucas, and Annabelle.
Lauren has been a strong advocate and supporter of MSK from day one and is finally able to be a part of our board of directors.
She’s an incredible asset everywhere she goes, and we are blessed to have her as part of the MSK family.
Thomas Galloway
With a background in operations Management, Thomas has dedicated his career to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
Having served as the Operations Director of the Daniel Pitino Homeless Shelter and currently in the role of Director of Operations at Friends of Sinners Men’s discipleship ministry, Thomas is deeply passionate about providing support and guidance to individuals seeking a fresh start in Life.
A proud Graduate of Owensboro High School and an attendee of Western Kentucky University, Thomas’s educational journey has equipped him with the skills and knowledge to excel in his endeavors.
Outside of his professional life, Thomas finds fulfillment in his role as a husband to his beautiful wife Crystal and a father to their daughter Alyssa.
Together, they are an active part of their community, finding joy in serving others and making a difference.
Thomas is honored to serve as a board member of My Sister’s Keeper and contribute to the betterment of their community. As active members of Matthew’s Table Church, Thomas and his family are dedicated to spreading love, faith, and kindness wherever they go.”
We could not be more excited to add his vast knowledge and love of others to our team.
Casey Stempien
Casey Stempien, a native of Owensboro, graduated from AHS in 2012 and earned a BS at Campbellsville University in 2015 and MBA in 2018.
She was a former Police Officer for the City of Owensboro and is currently a Communications Specialist at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline where she specializes in Corporate Giving and Public Awareness.
Casey is married to Logan Stempien and has two beautiful children, Sterling, and Sutton. She enjoys traveling, reading books, and lifting weights.
Casey is excited to become more connected with her community and work together to give families in our area an opportunity to thrive.