About
The Alliance for Thriving Families began with a simple belief:
children and families thrive when communities work together.
That belief wasn't born in a boardroom. It grew from lived experience, conversations across our county, and a shared desire to build a stronger future for families in Kosciusko County.
A Community That Showed Up
For Executive Director Kearstin Criswell, the vision for the Alliance began long before the organization itself.
As a child growing up in a small Indiana town, Kearstin experienced both deep hardship and extraordinary community support. After the loss of both of her parents by the age of seventeen, teachers, churches, neighbors, and community members stepped in to help care for Kearstin and her sisters.
There wasn't one organization responsible for helping them or one program that solved every challenge.
Instead, an entire community worked together providing rides, opening their dinner tables, encouraging them at school, creating opportunities, and ensuring they never had to navigate life alone.
That experience planted a lasting belief: Communities are strongest when people work together around the needs of children and families.
Listening to Our Community
Years later, that same belief resurfaced through conversations happening across Kosciusko County.
In 2023, four local church leaders participated in a More Than Enough cohort through the Christian Alliance for Orphans, exploring how churches could work together to better support vulnerable children and families.
This revealed a common theme. Everyone cared. Resources already existed.
But too often, organizations were working independently instead of collaboratively.
Schools, churches, nonprofits, and community partners all identified the same opportunity: our community didn't need more people who cared—it needed stronger coordination between the people already serving families.
The Alliance Was Born
Out of those conversations, the Alliance for Thriving Families was established as a collaborative network dedicated to strengthening the connections between schools, churches, nonprofits, businesses, and community leaders.
Rather than creating another direct-service organization, the Alliance helps existing organizations work together more effectively—identifying gaps, building trusted relationships, and coordinating support so families can find help before challenges become crises.
Because when communities are connected, families are stronger.
Board Members
Every family deserves a community that works together.
Partner with us today to equip local networks and transform lives across our neighborhoods.
Mike Deuel
Mike is the Director of Post Production at DreamOn Studios, a StoryBrand Agency focused on helping organizations connect with audiences through the power of storytelling. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Mike spent 25 years in video production for the NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL. A former foster parent and current CASA volunteer, he is passionate about advocating for children and families. Mike’s favorite role is being a girl dad, and he loves spending time with his wife and daughters. When he's not creating videos, you'll find him playing drums or hanging out with his beloved French Bulldogs.
Mandy Bailey
For more than 20 years, Mandy has dedicated her career to strengthening children and families through education, mental health, and community collaboration. Her experience includes over 20 years as a teacher and mental health counselor with Warsaw Community Schools, two years as a mental health therapist with Hambright & Associates, and the past eight years coordinating the Strengthening Families Program for Inspire Indiana. Mandy is passionate about meeting families where they are, identifying barriers to success, and working alongside them to create lasting solutions. She believes that when communities collaborate to address emerging needs, every child and family has the opportunity to thrive.