Meet Our Staff
Executive Director
Kimberly Scott, Executive Director
Kimberly Scott has worked with families and children for more than two decades.
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and currently practices as an individual and family therapist for both children and adults. In her private practice, she empowers individuals to overcome personal obstacles by utilizing evidenced-based interventions while integrating spiritual concepts into therapy.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time growing in her faith, the outdoors, yoga, spending time with family/friends and traveling. Most importantly, Kimberly has four amazing children – three daughters and a son.
Director of Training & Resources
Kia Carter, Director of Training & Resources
Kia Carter’s role is to train and license new families, recruit new foster parents, plan and run monthly foster parent support gatherings, visit licensed families, and train new Social Workers.
She joined AGAPE after a career in teaching since she felt led to help children in another way. “Working with children for many years, I have seen the need for good foster homes.” The main reason she loves working for AGAPE is because she feels like she’s part of a family where everyone looks out for and supports each other.
When she is not at AGAPE, she loves visiting family (especially her nephew in California!), traveling, hiking, being outdoors, reading good books and serving at church and in the community.
Most exciting? Kia not only supports our foster parents, but she is one herself!
Director of Development
Keith Fortier
Keith and his family have been a foster/adoptive home for 8 years. Professionally, Keith has been caring for children and families for almost 15 years. First as a teacher and most recently as a liaison between DSS & foster families as well as a Behavioral Health Partner for foster/adoptive families. He has supported others within the foster care system by helping connect churches to engage the foster care system in their community, running trauma-informed care trainings for foster/adoptive parents, and facilitating support groups.
Keith believes with all his heart that the people of God are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities. He has spent the last ten years advocating for children and families impacted by the foster care system and creating a network of churches and individuals who are committed to living compassionately and caring for children in need. He is passionate about seeing God’s Kingdom come to all who are desperate for love and support.
In his free time, Keith loves spending time with his wife and his 6 children (Ranging in age from 1 to 11 years old.) He loves being a father and enjoying all of the little moments with his family. Keith loves spending time outdoors in God’s beautiful creation: camping, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and just sitting and listening to the wind in the trees.
Associate Director
Nicole Spickard, Associate Director
I was adopted through AGAPE (TN) and my father, Tom Slaughter, was the first Executive Director for AGAPE of NC! So, to say I have a heart for AGAPE would be an understatement! I go out of my way to make sure the kids have what they need and AGAPE families feel supported. The best part of my job is building relationships with our families and their kids, showing precious little souls what a Godly family looks like. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I absolutely love supporting a family’s foster or adoption journey. It’s a blessing to be part of the AGAPE family!
Church Outreach Liaison
Joe Hall, Church Outreach Liaison
Joe joined Agape as the Church Outreach Liason after serving on Agape’s Board of Directors for 8 years. Joe spent 20 years in the Air Force and after that taught Air Force JROTC for over 14 years.
Joe and Cathy have been married for 38 years and while foster parents, adopted a sibling group of four.
Joe and Cathy have six kids and six grandchildren.
Behavior Technician
Rebekah Rucker, Behavior Technician
Rebekah Rucker began working with Agape in January 2023 and says she is “so thrilled to be joining the Agape team!” A few of Rebekah’s favorite things are animals, cooking, traveling new places, painting, and being the mother of five children.
In 2010, Rebekah and her husband, had a 7-year-old daughter and two sons, aged 4 and 2. Rebekah writes that she “experienced the Lord’s unmistakable voice and I couldn’t let go of the sense that He was asking us to become foster parents. Though it felt crazy, we got licensed and accepted special need, newborn twin boys in December 2011.” This turned out to be a permanent decision as those boys became “forever family” in 2014.
Rebekah adds that because of their adopted sons’ disabilities, “I have spent the last decade researching and attending every therapy, attachment, and counseling session I could access in hopes of improving the boys’ chances at a beautiful future. The pool of knowledge is vast, but I have learned so much about child development, behavior, connection, attachment, trauma, and intellectual disabilities along the way.” Rebekah also recently became certified to work as a registered behavior technician in the field of applied behavior analysis. This certification allows her to work at an Applied Behavior Analysis center under the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst.
Rebekah says she chose to work with Agape “because I believe very few things are more important than caring for the most vulnerable among us, children made in God’s image. Though it hasn’t been easy, and I feel like I’ve lived out an extended treasure hunt for resources and information, I would foster and adopt my boys again a thousand times. I am honored to work with Agape, encouraging families, spreading the message and eternal value of caring for children who need a safe space to exist in this broken world.”
Social Worker II
Megan Puckett, Social Worker II
Foster Care Worker/Community Outreach Liaison
Cynthia Abbott, Foster Care Worker/Community Outreach Liaison
My first experience with Agape was in 2009 when my husband and I started the process to become foster parents. Foster care has a place in both of our families’ trees and we made the decision to include it on our branch as well.
I love meeting and talking with people! Joining the Agape family and spreading our mission has given me the opportunity to do something I love while helping those who are most vulnerable. As an adoptive mom, I know how important that support is. I’m thrilled to walk alongside foster families in the Charlotte area as their Foster Care Worker and by engaging caring and supportive individuals and groups in the community to wrap arms around them.
My favorite pastimes include jumping Double Dutch, playing board games with my family and loving on my Boxer, Lyla Rose.
Social Worker II
Kristen Loper, Social Worker II
First Aid/CPR/BBP
Jerry Sprague, First Aid/CPR/BBP
I started working with AGAPE of NC in 1992 — so, I’m approaching my 30th year! I like people and like helping people, and that led to my long-time work as a Counselor and Caseworker. I’m still serving families by coordinating first aid & CPR training required as part of their fostering experience.
Foster Care Worker
Heather Waite, Foster Care Worker
Foster Care Worker
Kristi Copley, Foster Care Worker
My name is Kristi Copley and I was born and raised in Pennsylvania. I have also had the privilege to live in Hawaii, California, Florida and North Carolina. Recently, my husband Ryan and our 4 kids returned from serving on the mission field in SE Asia. I have worked in the social work field for about 17 years and have also had the opportunity to stay home with my children for about 10 years. I am excited to come on board at Agape!!
Foster Parent Recruiter
Leah Hayes, Foster Parent Recruiter
A graduate of North Carolina Central University Leah chose to leave her career in education to join the AGAPE family. After working closely with children and families for over 10 years, Leah strives to put her passion to work hoping to enhance and strengthen families.
“I’ve been asked if leaving education was the right choice, or if I regret my decision to shut the doors of the classroom. Becoming part of the AGAPE family is an honor. I know this is how God will use me, this is how I fulfill my purpose while being the woman God allows me to be”.
When Leah is not working she is spending time with friends and family, and her son Elijah. Leah enjoys reading, gardening and going to the beach.
Administrative Assistant
April Robinson, Administrative Assistant
As a child, April watched as her mother pastored children from an inner-city church which fueled a passion inside her to help children in need. She continued to share that her “passion was fueled further through the adoption of my two beautiful children. I am so blessed to have found an organization like Agape, whose mission and passion align with my own. My goal is to walk alongside families and help children reach their full potential and thrive within the community.”