Bonnie Thompson

Bonnie has been President of OFPA since it was formed in 2002.  She has also served as President of the Oliver Foster Parents Association.

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Bonnie's family fostered for 20 years, beginning in 1992, mostly as a level 3 resource.  Bonnie has three 'bonus' kids, children who have remained as part of her family and others that continue to keep in touch.  Bonnie got into fostering to give back to their community and she feels that helping foster parents be better at what they do is a big part of that.

Melanie Filiatrault

Melanie and her family have been fostering since 1988. She has a great deal of experience and background with children with special needs, especially those who are medically fragile. 

Melanie is a founding member of Okanagan Foster Parents Association. She has also been involved with the BCFFPA since 1995, serving in various positions on local and regional councils, and at the provincial level. In 2010 she stepped down from her position as President of the Provincial Board of BCFFPA after serving for 4 years.

Rachel Collins

Rachel joined the OFPA board as secretary in 2018. Rachel and her husband Robby have fostered since 2012 with a special spot in their hearts for teens. Rachel also serves on the local Kelowna board. She is excited and committed to the mission and vision of these associations so that all foster parents could help equip growing humans with the skills, abilities and opportunities to be memorable amazing loving world changing people. 

Sue MacKay

Sue has been a Foster Parent since 2000. In 2006 she joined the Kelowna Foster Parents Association and has been involved with them in a variety of Board positions.

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Other than the many foster children who she considers family, Sue has a beautiful adult daughter and an adopted son. Sue is passionate about fostering and says, “Kids keep me young, and although there are sad moments and some really sad stories, the love and laughter that the kids bring into my life are the rewards

Marilyn Marshall

Marilyn fostered high-risk youth, mostly teen girls, for 14 years. She served as Vice-president and President of the Sunshine Coast Foster Parents Association, and as a member-at-large for the Shuswap Foster Parents Association. In 2010 Marilyn retired to join her partner in the full-time care and management of their farm/ Beef Cattle operation in Salmon Arm.

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Marilyn joined OFPA in 2016. She is excited by the new role and opportunity: to be able to support children and youth in care, by being part of team that is dedicated to the value of education, support and advocacy for Foster Parents.

Doris Tilley

Doris and her family fostered for 42 years, and she only recently retired.

Doris has fostered children with special needs, sibling groups, and Indigenous children, from age 3 to aging out. She has transitioned many youth to CLBC and independent living.

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Doris joined OFPA in 2021. She enjoys mentoring Foster Parents, and is still very involved in the South Okanagan Fostering Community. Supporting caregivers is a favorite pastime, and she is well known for always thinking outside of the box.

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