Childcare Worldwide

Meredith Stamey is the Assistant Director of Development at Childcare Worldwide where she has been working since July 2006. She feels blessed to work for an organization that is changing lives by meeting both physical and spiritual needs and loves to hear success stories of children and families who have been helped.

Meredith came to Bellingham from the Seattle area to attend college, and it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the strong sense of community Bellinghamsters are proud of. She graduated from Western Washington University (WWU) in 2005 with a degree in Business Management. During her time at WWU, she also met her husband, Jeff, and fell in love with another reason to make Bellingham home.

While away from the office, Meredith enjoys cooking, running, playing soccer, and frequenting her favorite coffee shop. She just completed her first half marathon, and hopes to work up the motivation to train for others in the future. She and her husband help with the middle school youth group at their church, which is always a highlight of their week—although they sometimes wonder if they enjoy dodge ball a little too much.

Meredith is excited for the opportunity to use her gifts at Childcare Worldwide, and hopes to continue to improve in her job so Childcare can more effectively serve the children in our care. She also hopes to get better at writing to her sponsored kids.

Laura Wheeler became involved at Childcare Worldwide as an intern in the summer of 2010. She then began working in the fund raising department in January 2011 and is now primarily working with the website, graphic design and social media.

Laura was born in Germany while her dad was stationed at a military base there and has traveled and lived in many different places. She enjoys reading, especially historical biographies and occasionally some quality science-fiction, the latter being the result of the influence of her husband, Eric. Laura’s favorite books in the world are the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. She loves being outside which makes her feel very at home in the Northwest where God has made so many beautiful places and things to look at. Laura also enjoys playing obscure board games, traveling, and trying out all kinds of artsy projects.

Laura graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Human Services and feels blessed to be able to use what she has learned in a career that she loves. She strongly believes in the impact that Childcare Worldwide’s Sponsorship Program has on both the children being sponsored and the sponsors themselves. Laura wants to further her education in a way that will give her the knowledge and skills she needs to help make humanitarian programs more effective, but her most important pursuit is to become a better lover of her Lord.

Bethany Iblings started working at Childcare Worldwide in July 2011. She is excited to be a part of an organization that works to provide better lives and brighter futures for children around the world.

Bethany grew up in Whatcom County and has always enjoyed the natural beauty of the Northwest. She graduated from Trinity Western University with a degree in International Studies (Linguistics and TESOL track), and has used this degree in a variety of overseas experiences. She has lived, served, and traveled in places as diverse as England, Austria, France, Germany, Ukraine, Mozambique, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Vietnam, and Thailand. Bethany loves to travel and encounter new people, cultures, food, and customs.

When she’s not at work, Bethany enjoys being in the great outdoors, drinking tea with friends, watching sunsets, studying Arabic, and baking a variety of scrumptious goodies. A childhood love of books has followed her into adulthood and she usually has two or three good reads in progress.

Bethany is excited to see where life will lead in the future and hopes to use her skills and passions for God’s glory to serve people in need on an international level.

Stephanie Terry has been supporting Childcare Worldwide since August 2006.  She has a heart for seeing children in the developing world succeed through the love and support they receive through their sponsors.

A graduate of Trinity Western University, Stephanie studied Communication and Spanish, and is grateful for the doors God opened up for her to use her talents in this ministry. Her true passion is working with people cross-culturally and enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures.

As a native Californian, she is enjoying the past few years learning all things Northwest…hills, hiking, biking, kayaking, Goodwill shopping and wearing those “real” shoes her husband is so fond of. Other hobbies include reading, writing, photography and baking her dad’s famous chocolate chip cookies.

Stephanie hopes to continue pursuing her passions with her work, and looks forward to growing even more on the path God lays out for her.