Our Team
Our Story
The founders of the Restored Souls Foundation have had a passion for foster, adoptive and special needs families for the last 14 years as foster parents themselves. They understand how lonely you feel when things get hard. When they moved to Wilmington 5 years ago a suggestion from a friend turned into a God sized dream. A home for families that need to feel restored after battling trauma, disease and discouragement. A home for fun, complete with handicapped accessible everything, therapists and nurses standing at the ready to offer their support, a pool, playground and treehouse with a secret lab all with a view of the water for those perfect sunset family photos. They want these high needs families to feel restored when they return home, not just trip somewhere. The Restored Souls Foundation was started in the fall of 2019 in partnership with Seven Homes for Kids and became an official 501C3 non-profit in January of 2020. And until their house becomes a reality they will continue to support families in every way possible. Its a non-denominational ministry. Psalm 23 became the verses for this vision because only God can take the hurting and the broken and bring them to a place of stillness and rest.
Melissa and Mark Matthews
Executive Director and Director of Development
The Co-founders and care-takers of this dream. Melissa has been teaching high school too long to count and volunteering with Seven Homes for Kids as the church and community liaison in Wilmington. Mark owned his own handyman business in Durham for many years when he decided to switch careers and take it easy as a barber. He brings plenty of business experience to the table as the Director of Development and Operator of Restored Styles.
Board of Directors
Board Treasurer- Ken Maxwell- Director of Seven Homes for Children in Winston-Salem, NC. Ken is an expert when it comes to foster care, he has been the founder and leader of Seven Homes for Children, a foster care agency, for the last 30 years. He is also the adopted dad of two and leads the state in trauma informed parenting models.
Board Secretary-AmyLou Skinner- As a 4th generation Wilmingtonian, Amy is passionate about our community and the needs of others. With her years of experience in social work AmyLou offers our agency an enhanced perspective. As a mother, she understands the risk of parental burnout, and has brought value and expansion to some of our programs. Amy continues to advocate for resources and is beyond thankful for those who bring positive impacts of change for future generations.
Board Member-Danielle Weber comes to us with a wealth of knowledge in regards to the needs of medically fragile children. She has been a nurse for over 10 years as well as a mother of 2 medically fragile children. They live in Dunn, NC so she also brings a unique perspective about the rural areas of NC.
Prayer Team Leaders and Board Members- Richard and Karen Dwral- Richard is a retired pastor and professional photographer and Karen worked for the New York public school system for over 20 years. They raised 4 children, one of which was medically fragile. They have hearts for Jesus and pray regularly.
Board Member-Kelly McConnell- a retired pediatrician with experience in caring for children with special needs in the clinic and hospital. Kelly has helped families brainstorm ways to get break, vacations and relaxed fun when their situation(medically fragile, legalities) complicated this. She brings practical aspects of medical navigation and experience to the table.
2024 Community and Business Partners
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