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Children & Families Served
Volunteers
Children Served in Residential Care & Foster Homes
Sponsors
* All Data Since 2018
What We Do
We stay informed, update our policies, and continually refine our trauma-informed practices to make sure each child feels safe, nurtured, and valued. Our staff and foster families receive ongoing training so they are equipped to meet every child’s unique needs. We do this because we believe in putting children first, and we know that when we adapt and grow, they have a better chance to heal and thrive.
With the unwavering leadership of our board and senior staff and the dedication of our incredible team, we are ready to navigate these changes together. We invite you to join us on this journey of hope, healing, and transformation—because it truly takes a community to change lives.
Meet Our Staff
Tina Capito
LCCA, Licensed Child Care Administrator
Alesha Ausborne
LCPAA, Licensed Childcare Placement Agency Administrator, Family Developer
Joselyn Robinson
Child Wellness Director
Board of Directors
Mark A. Hyde
Board President
Dawn Amato
Vice President
Kristie Robertson
Treasurer
Mary Shabunia
Secretary
Lauren Hallmark
Fundraising Chair
Ayeisha Garza
At Large Member
MaCayla Rowe
Mission Outreach
A Letter from the Board
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we reflect on the incredible journey of Garden of Hope of Central Texas, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering commitment and generosity of our community. Together, we have been able to serve hundreds of children and families, providing essential care, stability, and hope to those who need it most.
Since our founding, Garden of Hope has provided residential care to 966 children and essential resources to 2,265 children through our Resource Center. These numbers represent more than just statistics—they represent lives changed, futures restored, and hope renewed. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, foster families, and community partners.
In 2025, we are excited to embark on new milestones with the opening of our General Residential Operation (GRO) facility and the implementation of the T3C contract. These advancements will enable us to expand our reach, enhance the quality of care, and ensure we are meeting the evolving needs of the children we serve.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to our mission: to provide a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment for every child who walks through our doors. But we cannot do this alone. Your continued support—whether through donations, volunteering, or advocacy—plays a vital role in making this mission a reality.
Thank you for being part of the Garden of Hope family. Together, we are building a foundation for a brighter future, one child at a time.
With sincere gratitude,
Mark A. Hyde
Board President
Garden of Hope of Central Texas
HISTORY
Our Story
Garden of Hope of Central Texas (GOH) is a dedicated organization committed to providing safe, nurturing, and empowering environments for children in foster care. Through residential services, a Child Placing Agency (CPA), and a Resource Center, GOH addresses the unique needs of children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or are at risk. The organization focuses on trauma-informed care, offering essential resources and support to foster children and families.
Founded in 2016 by the Ocasio family, GOH began with a profound dedication to children, having fostered over 90 children and adopting 11. Their passion for creating loving homes evolved into a vision for a comprehensive support system for foster children and families.
In February 2019, GOH welcomed its first child into care, marking the beginning of its residential services. In 2020, GOH expanded its reach by opening a Resource Center to provide clothing, hygiene supplies, school supplies, and food to foster children and their families, ensuring their basic needs were met.
A pivotal moment came in April 2023 when Destiny World Outreach Center (DWOC), historically focused on international orphan care, discovered GOH. DWOC shifted its mission to support foster care children in Central Texas and partnered with GOH under the shared vision of Destiny House of Hope (DHOH). Together, they committed to navigating the challenges of the Texas foster care system, always prioritizing the best interests of the children.
Between February 1, 2019, and September 1, 2024, GOH and DWOC have collectively served over 966 children through residential care and supported more than 3,400 children and family members through the Resource Center. This collaboration continues the legacy of compassion, care, and advocacy for foster children.
Today, GOH remains steadfast in its mission to help children heal, grow, and build a foundation for a brighter future.
Help Us Build Hope
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“You might be temporary in their lives;
they might be temporary in yours. But there is
nothing temporary about the love or the lesson.”
Our Partners & Sponsors
