For over 21 years, the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation Inc, a 501(c) (3) organization, has supported and advocated for Nueces County children in foster care. We provide services, financial support, and networking tools for children in the care of the Department of Family and Protective Services. We strive to educate and raise awareness on topics of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. We work directly with the Adoption Unit of DFPS and strive to get every child in a Forever Family.
#itsaboutthechildren
Meet the Board
2019-2023 President
Jennifer Kremer-Oliva
Jennifer Kremer-Oliva - born and raised in a small town in Germany, she came to the United States when she was a young teen. She spent her high school years in San Antonio, Texas and moved to Corpus Christi when she attended Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. Shortly after moving to Corpus Christi she married her husband, Gabriel. Jennifer and Gabe are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both have held many leadership positions within the youth program. Jennifer joined the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation in 2016, after her and her husband started the adoption process of their son. They adopted their son, David in September 2016. Along with serving as President of the Child Welfare Foundation, Jennifer is also currently serving on the Nueces County Child Welfare Board, the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards and the DFPS Regional Child Death Review Team. In the past Jennifer has served in her son's local school as a PTA president, Council PTA president, the Corpus Christi ISD District Advisory Team, and the Corpus Christi ISD Strategic Planning Team. When Jennifer is not busy serving her local community to help children, she enjoys spending time traveling back to her home country and spending as much time as possible at the lake and beach.
Sandy Dawod
Sandra Dawod is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas. She has been married to her husband Haysam for 35 years, and they have two sons, David and Matthew. The family attends and serves the St. James Syriac Orthodox Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Sandra has earned several nursing degrees and graduated from Del Mar College ( Associates Degree-Registered Nursing,
1980), Corpus Christ State University, now known as Texas A & M-Corpus Christi (Bachelor of Science-Nursing, 1986), Texas Woman’s University (Master of Science-Nurse Education and Women’s Health Care, 1992), and American Sentinel University (Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership, 2018). She is an associate professor at Del Mar College and has taught nursing for over 15 years. Additionally, she serves the college on various departmental and college-wide committees. She has served on the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation and Board for over 20 years in different officer positions, now as treasurer for the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation. She is also a member of the Corpus Christi Evening Rotary Club. In her free time, Sandra enjoys traveling, reading, and cooking. Sandra enjoys serving her community.
2017-2023 Treasurer
Susan O’Connell - born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She married her husband, Pat, in 1982 and they moved to Corpus Christi. She worked in the banking industry until having her first child in 1988 and became a stay at home mom. Susan had a 2nd child in 1993. She was active in her children’s school – PTO, fundraisers, staff appreciation, and sports as well as USA Club Swimming throughout her kids youth. Susan joined the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation in 2018 and is currently serving as secretary. She also serves on the Nueces County Child Welfare Board.
Susan O'Connell
2019-2023 Secretary
Christina Barrera
Christina Barrera - Christina was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. She married her high school sweetheart, Luke, in 1995 and they have four children Melanie, Clarissa, Emily and Benjamin. Dr. Barrera has been a bilingual certified educator in CCISD for 22 years, currently serving as the Principal at Menger Elementary School. In April of 2022, she was named 1 of 5
state finalists for the HEB Excellence in Education Awards in the Principal Category. She is a member of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and President of the Region 2 Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family at the lake with their two dogs, Max (Lab) and Otis (English Mastiff).
Board Member
Annette DuVall
Board Member
Annette has always been involved with various non-profit groups and is a long time member of the Nueces Child Welfare Board and Nueces Child Welfare Foundation. Annette served as the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation President for many years. Out of all her community commitments, Annette loves being involved with swimming and assisting our athletes to achieve their goals - both in and out of the pool. After swimming for the Corpus Christi Swim Team and later for the Corpus Christi Marlins, Annette began teaching swimming lessons in the 1970’s and started as a assistant coach with the Club Estates Marlins summer league swim team and the Club Estates Marlins USA Swimming team in the 1980’s under the direction of head coach, Lorraine DuVall. Annette became head coach of the Club Estates Marlins summer league team in 2003 and became head coach of the CCAA-CEM swim team in 2004. Annette is also the Program Director for our SwimAmerica lesson program after being both a swim lesson instructor and site supervisor for our lesson program. For her volunteer commitment to South Texas Swimming, she was awarded the 2009 Conoco-Phillips Volunteer Award as well as a lifetime membership to USA Swimming from South Texas Swimming. Annette holds a BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University – College Station and is a Certified Public Accountant. Annette is a self-employed CPA since 1988 and the manager of the Club Estates Recreation Center. She is also very proud of her twin boys and their lovely wives.
Jackie Hasson
Jackie Hasson is a member of the Nueces County Child Welfare Board and the Nueces Child Welfare Foundation. Jackie is a proud mother of 2 children. Jackie also spends her time teaching and helping youth love the sport of swimming. Jackie became interested in swimming when her children started swim lessons. Jackie began teaching swim lessons in 2001 and is currently our Site Supervisor for our SwimAmerica program. In 2006, she started as the CCAA-CEM Age Group Coach where she emphasizes stroke technique. Jackie is also a USA Swimming and UIL stroke and turn official. As a lifetime member of the American Swim Coaches Association, Jackie attends the annual American Swim Coaches Association World Clinic where world class coaches discuss the latest research, stroke techniques and training. In addition, she has attended numerous ASCA Spring clinics and USA Swimming Conventions where additional swim training information is presented. In 2016, she attended the USA Swimming SwimBiz Conference.