TAMPA BAY
Safe Families of Tampa Bay
Safe Families Tampa is a nonprofit volunteer movement that partners with local churches to surround families experiencing crisis with a caring, compassionate community. Our mission is to create extended family-like support for isolated families with volunteers who are motivated by faith to keep children safe, and families together. Everyone can do something. Safe Families Tampa serves Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus Counties.
MEET OUR TEAM
Kristin Fuhs
Chapter Director
Kristin is a happily married wife of 40 years to Chris. She and her husband have the honor of being parents to six beautiful grown children and adore being grandparents to 15 grandchildren. Family is the true joy of their lives. Kristin has spent her adult life doing what she loves most, which is walking alongside families and children providing hope and encouragement. She is a former teacher, Children and Families Outreach Director at a church, Nanny and was previously the Intake & Family Coach Supervisor for Safe Families Tampa and is now the Tampa Chapter Director. She moved to Tampa 14 years ago from the Midwest and enjoys the beach and outdoors. Most of all she loves Jesus.
Micaela Yoder
Program Administrator
Micaela Yoder is a Harrisburg, PA native turned Floridian, having moved to Tampa shortly after marrying her phenomenal husband Ethan in 2021. While earning her bachelor's degree in ASL/English Interpreting, Micaela had the opportunity to work with various families in crisis to provide linguistic support to Deaf family members, as well as to assist in the creation of the first visual Bible, the ASLV. It was during this time that God laid on her heart a calling to minister to those specifically in her community (a calling that would not be fulfilled until 2022 when she joined Safe Families as a volunteer, and again in 2024 when she was given the opportunity to join staff). As the Program Administrator, Micaela works with incoming applicants to help them through the application process and has the incredible opportunity to share why she is so passionate about Safe Families with prospective volunteers.
Tralynn Moriarty
Area Coordinator
Tralynn and her husband, Austin, were high school sweethearts. They have been married since 2013 and have two wonderful children: Emilee and Thomas. Her dream was always to be a mom, and she found deep joy in raising her two little ones to be kind, Jesus loving humans. Tralynn has a background in crisis centered ministry, and a passion to love and support families who are hurting. Working in multiple crisis pregnancy centers over the years, she began volunteering with Safe Families for Children because it felt like the next step in supporting these families in crisis. Tralynn and her family have been attending Community Bible Church in Brooksville since the beginning of 2022 and she has been serving as a Safe Families Ministry lead since 2023.
Barb Buckwalter
Family Coach Supervisor
Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania, Barb moved to Florida in 2020 to be closer to her husband's family. She and her husband Chris have been married for 19 years and have three beautiful children. Dominic, who is graduating from high school this year, Alyssa, a freshman in high school and Kylie who is in 4th grade. Barb has worked in several different roles, including as Assistant Manager at a bank to dental assisting to an administrative position at a wireless cell phone company, but heart has always been serving others. She began volunteering with Safe Families two years ago as a family friend and loved it so much that she asked to officially be a part of the team! She loves hippos, coffee, watching her kids do all of the things, singing (especially worship songs) and of course Jesus. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jenna Coller
Family Coach Supervisor
Jenna is passionate about supporting families in vulnerable seasons and equipping coaches to walk alongside them with compassion and consistency. She holds a degree in Christian Ministry from MorningStar University and brings over 20 years of ministry experience, including serving as a pastor and helping plant a church, along with a background in executive business management. Jenna has spent much of her career supporting women, children, and families through crisis and transition. Her work is deeply personal, shaped by her own lived experience navigating crisis and rebuilding. Her heart is to share the love and grace of Jesus and help people encounter Him in their everyday lives. As a mom to her daughter Hailey and her son Trace, she is committed to creating safe, supportive environments where families can experience stability, connection, and hope.
Durrell Peterson
Area Coordinator
Durrell Peterson and his wife (Jade) live in the Riverview area with 3 beautiful children! For over a decade Durrell has been blessed with the opportunity to serve families in ministry, schools and athletics. His heartbeat is to uplift, refresh and empower others to continue the race. Teamwork, faith and encouragement are his core values. He is thankful for the work of Safe Families and it is a honor to serve families through this ministry.
Family Coach Supervisor
Stacy McMahon
Stacy McMahon is a mother of four and calls Dunedin, FL home. With a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Alabama, she has a passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families. Stacy has coached high school cheerleading for the past ten years and volunteers in her church’s children’s ministry. She enjoys traveling, boating, and time outdoors! She is delighted and honored to be serving with the Safe Families team in the Tampa area.
