Meet The Team
Angela Solly
HS/PRS Supervisor - Crofton
Angela has her masters of Social Work and has worked with children and immigrants since 2003. She has experience working abroad with Latin American populations and experience domestically working with children and families in need. Angela is bilingual in Spanish and English and has worked with Bethany since 2012 transitioning unaccompanied minors into the community to be reunified with their families. She enjoys meeting with the families and helping them connect with services and other resources in the community to help the children thrive in their new homes.
Hilda Marfizo
TFC Office Manager - Crofton
Hilda Marfizo is the office manager and medical coordinator in the transitional foster care program. Previously, she helped others for more than 20 years in customer service by serving as a Spanish translator.
Jennifer Smith
Foster Care Adoption Specialist - Crofton
Jennifer has established and grown Bethany’s foster care adoption program where she helps match families with children in the foster care system throughout the U.S. Jennifer has a master’s in social work from the University of Maryland and worked in the child welfare system for the state of Maryland for over 14 years before coming to Bethany. She’s passionate about giving children in foster care the opportunity to find the love and security they deserve and to grow and thrive in their forever families.
Lisa Powers
Intake & QA Coordinator • Home Study and Post Release Services - Crofton
Chris Wirt, LCSW-C
Branch Director - Crofton
Chris has over 25 years’ experience providing child welfare services including direct practice, supervision, teaching, training, and program management. He also spent 25 years in youth ministry where he served at various local churches in staff and volunteer roles. Chris earned his master’s degree in social work and holds a clinical social work license in both Maryland and Virginia. He has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2018. He loves to spend time with his family, long-distance running, and all kinds of outdoor adventures.
Jewel Bowlding, LMSW
Licensing Supervisor, Short-Term Immigrant Foster Care Program - Crofton
Jewel oversees the licensing team to recruit, license, and retain foster parents. She graduated from Stevenson University with a B.S in human services and a minor in psychology. She then continued her education at Howard University, earning an MSW. Since coming to Bethany, Jewel has had the opportunity to be a keynote speaker at NACSW. She also takes pride in cultivating and maintaining supportive relationships with the different departments within our organization.
Jocelyn Edwards
Licensing Specialist, Short-Term Immigrant Foster Care Program - Crofton
Jocelyn recruits and licenses prospective foster parents who can provide safe and loving homes for children in care. At Bethany, she has enjoyed licensing foster parents, ensuring children in care have a safe and loving environment, and fostering relationships with foster parents and colleagues. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore.
Lynn Harden-Hemmans
Office Manager, Home Study and Post-Release Services - Crofton
Lynn brings experience working with Bethany’s transitional foster care program and her tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. In her role, she directly connects with outside agencies that donate items to the various programs at Bethany Maryland. She loves spending time with her husband and son and will forever be a Jersey girl at heart.
Melissa Martin, LCSW-C
Assistant Branch Director - Crofton
Melissa oversees the domestic and foster care adoption programs, pregnancy counseling services, and home study and post-release services programs. She has a master’s in social work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Prior to joining Bethany, she worked in a variety of settings including group homes, an independent living program, treatment foster care, and Safe Families for Children (SFFC). Melissa is passionate about supporting families and birthparents through their adoption journey. She has witnessed the power of God’s love and the difference a forever family can have on a child.
Pamela Shaw-Lowe
Regional Office Manager - Crofton
Pam oversees all administrative staff and daily duties that support the numerous programs at Bethany. She possesses excellent leadership and organizational skills and ensures the effectiveness of the company’s values, mission, and processes. Pam uses her skills to encourage unity with an optimistic attitude. A native of Washington, D.C., she loves to travel the world with her husband and children.
Tonia Martin, LCSW
Director, Short-Term Immigrant Foster Care Program - Crofton
Tonia oversees the Short-Term Immigrant Foster Care program as well as services provided to clients. Prior to joining Bethany, Tonia spent 11 years in therapeutic foster care and 17 years in child welfare. She graduated from University of Maryland School of Social Work and is a licensed master social worker. She has worked within a variety of settings with diverse individuals which has provided her with numerous and valuable experiences. A wife and mother, she enjoys spending time with her family.
