Misty Miotto, Founder and Board Chair

Misty Miotto has been a passionate advocate for Central Florida’s homeless, foster, and orphaned children for more than 30 years. Throughout her decades of service, she has led numerous community initiatives and programs designed to empower, encourage, and inspire vulnerable youth by teaching life skills, character development, self-advocacy, and the values necessary to thrive. Her life’s work has been dedicated to creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping hundreds, if not thousands, of children realize their worth and potential. Misty’s commitment to serving others has earned her multiple community leadership and advocacy awards, including the prestigious Inspiration Award, presented annually to an individual or organization whose impact has significantly improved the lives of children and families throughout Central Florida. In addition to founding Foster Youth of America, Misty is the Founder and Volunteer Director of the Heart Gallery of Central Florida, which she established in 2010. The Heart Gallery works alongside child welfare professionals, community partners, and adoption advocates to help find forever families for children in foster care who are legally available for adoption. Through professional photography, public awareness campaigns, and community education, the organization shines a light on children waiting for permanent homes while helping dispel common misconceptions about foster care adoption. As a sought-after public speaker, Misty regularly shares her personal foster and adoption journey, encouraging prospective foster and adoptive parents while providing practical guidance, hope, and encouragement to those considering opening their hearts and homes to children in need. As a respected local business owner, wedding photographer, and event professional for more than three decades, Misty has cultivated meaningful relationships with fellow businesses, organizations, and community leaders who share her passion for serving others. Through these partnerships, she has secured thousands of dollars in donated services, products, and resources that directly benefit foster youth throughout Central Florida. Misty has also been instrumental in inspiring and mobilizing members of the wedding and event industry to rally around foster children and youth in care. Over the years, countless wedding professionals, including venues, caterers, DJs, florists, planners, photographers, videographers, rental companies, entertainers, beauty professionals, and other event partners, have generously contributed their time, talents, services, and financial resources to support her charitable initiatives. Many have organized independent fundraisers, sponsored youth programs and special events, donated professional services, and provided both in-kind and monetary gifts that have collectively generated thousands of dollars in support for children in foster care. Misty believes that when businesses use their influence, talents, and resources for good, they have the power to create lasting change. She is deeply grateful for the many industry partners who have embraced this mission and helped ensure that vulnerable children feel seen, valued, celebrated, and supported. One of the most notable examples of this collaborative effort is the annual Winter Wonderland Ball, a signature event benefiting Central Florida’s foster children. The event provides an unforgettable experience for youth in care, complete with formal attire, hair and makeup services, themed décor, entertainment, dinner, gifts, and a night dedicated to making each child feel celebrated, valued, and loved. Misty is passionate about mobilizing businesses, organizations, churches, and community leaders to become actively involved in supporting foster youth—particularly those aging out of care—through mentorship, employment opportunities, sponsorships, volunteerism, and meaningful community partnerships. She believes lasting change happens when communities come together to invest in the lives of their most vulnerable children. As a woman of faith and a foster and adoptive mother of six, Misty understands firsthand the profound impact one caring adult can have on a child’s life. Her personal experiences have shaped her mission and strengthened her belief that every person has something meaningful to contribute. Whether through fostering, adoption, mentoring, volunteering, advocacy, or financial support, everyone has the ability to make a difference. While Misty serves as the Founder and Volunteer Director of Foster Youth of America and the Heart Gallery of Central Florida, her livelihood comes from her small business, Misty Miotto Photography, where she has spent more than three decades serving couples as an award-winning wedding photographer and wedding industry professional. It was through her photography business that Misty first recognized the powerful impact photography could have in changing lives. That realization led to the creation of the Heart Gallery of Central Florida, where professional portraits are used to help children in foster care find forever families through adoption. Over the years, she has continued to use her photography and event planning expertise to serve her community through numerous charitable initiatives, including leading Help-Portrait Central Florida, serving on nonprofit event committees and advisory boards, donating professional photography services to countless charitable organizations, and creating programs designed to bring hope, dignity, and visibility to vulnerable children and families throughout Central Florida. To learn more about Misty’s professional photography work and how she is using her business, talents, and resources to make a meaningful impact in her community, see the link below. Misty firmly believes that lasting change begins when ordinary people choose to care. Her life and work reflect the timeless truth that it takes a village to raise a child and that every person has the power to make a difference. She often reminds others that while one person can make an impact, alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Through compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to serving others, communities can transform the future for children who need hope, support, and opportunity the most.

Lauren Prekop, Aged Out Youth Specialist

Lauren is driven to help young people who have faced great adversity. Because of this, Lauren has been a part of the social service and nonprofit sector for over 14 years, with the bulk of her career being comprised of youth and family services. Lauren’s first social work venture was abroad, working in the foster care system in London, England, where she gained accreditation as a Qualified Social Worker with the General Social Care Council. Lauren immensely enjoyed her time in England, as she highly values seeing things from other perspectives, and has always treasured experiencing different cultures, countries, and ways of life! Lauren has held positions in foster care case management and adoptions; program and volunteer management; community engagement; and career development. Lauren presently manages vocational services for at-risk youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The vocational services are one aspect of the program, and the overall goal is to help them further their independence through building their self-worth and skills, so they can live a fulfilled life in freedom, rather than incarceration. Lauren strongly believes in the power of restoration and that your past does not have to determine your future! Lauren holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational and Interpersonal Communication. She also has certifications in adoption competency, volunteer management, customer service and sales, safe food management, and OSHA-30 for the construction industry. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her son, Noah, and the family pets; visiting with friends and family; traveling; trying new things; and relaxing at home.

Ashley Bedford

Ashley graduated from the University of Florida. She has extensive experience in the financial industry and is passionate about helping people achieve the dream of homeownership. She joined Patriot Home Funding in 2015 as a mortgage originator. Ashley is on the Board of Foster Youth of America an organization that supports and wraps around both Foster and Aged Out Foster Youth. In addition to that she supports other charities like Charlie’s Lunch as well as local ministries for impoverished communities. Ashley lives in Longwood with her husband John and 2 daughters Lilyanna and Hannah.

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon is a copywriter and digital marketing consultant that helps brands grow by combining creative writing with data-driven marketing. She has a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of South Florida and works with a variety of industries, such as technology, healthcare, hospitality, and residential services. In addition to Foster Youth of America, Veronica is involved with multiple causes like human rights, mental health advocacy, and environmental protection. Veronica lives in Orange City with her husband and their dalmatian, and enjoys books, nature, movies, culinary experiences, travel, and dance.

Amanda Ashmore, Medical Field Professional

Amanda Ashmore is an Administrative Director for a multi-million dollar medical practice. She oversees the daily operations and manages over 70 employees. Amanda has an extensive background in management, budgeting, medical billing, and program development. Amanda has been in the medical field for over 15 years. Her greatest accomplishment is creating a step-up program for her current company, where they foster personal growth and development from within the company. The company now works with employees to understand their life goals and works on a plan to help them get there. Amanda also creates that open door into the medical field. She has a true passion for helping others. Amanda has volunteered feeding the homeless weekly. She set up pickups for leftover food for the homeless from Panera and Publix. She set up and managed donations for clothes and person cleaning kits so they could clean themselves and brush their teeth. Amanda volunteers with multiple charities and assists with fund raisers. Amanda’s goals are to assist the youth in America, especially with career goals and immediate needs. She feels God leads her to where she is needed. Amanda lives by the bible verse Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Kristie Jones, Foster Youth Advocate

Maci Miotto, Public Relations Manager

Maci is currently a Communications Major at Valencia with the hopes of transferring to South Eastern University in 2024. She is the Public Relations Officer for Valencia and also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She is a local news personality and anchor for Positively Osceola and also the Media Director at Misty Miotto Photography where she produces and directs cinematic wedding documentaries and also manages all of the companies promo and commercial videos as well. She has a passion for all things community related and believes in sharing her gifts to make the world a better place. As the current Miss Hometown USA, Maci uses her platform to raise awareness about the need for additional support for our Aged Out Foster Youth.