Igniting Hope: Jacqui Jackson's Mission to Transform Child Welfare

Jacqui Jackson transforms child welfare through Ignite Hope, advocating for families and children with compassion, expertise, and unwavering faith.
In countless stories of abandonment and neglect that shadow our lives, Jacqui Jackson stands for hope, tenacity, and transformation. With the leadership role of a nonprofit organization in the reshaping of the child welfare system under her belt as CEO of Ignite Hope, Jacqui, once a foster child turned international adoptee and today mother to biological and adoptive children, boasts of insight and passion that borders on the edge. Her story is one of overcoming, leading, and inspiring—a narrative that ignites hope not just for children in crisis, but for the families who open their hearts to them.
A Journey Rooted in Personal Experience
“I walked the path of uncertainty that so many children in foster care face,” Jacqui says. She has lived with the early years impingement of experiencing hardships in navigating through foster care systems until finding a permanent home through international adoption. This experience gave Jacqui a profound comprehension of the needs of children experiencing instability and trauma. It ignited a very deep desire to ensure that every child would have the chance to grow up in a loving and stable environment.
Today, Jacqui puts her personal experience into her work with Ignite Hope, working with initiatives focused on the nuances of child welfare. The unique approach of this organization spans from advocacy for pre-born children to working toward securing a forever home for those who need it most. “Our work is about filling gaps, providing resources, and advocating for the rights of the most vulnerable,” she describes.
From Heartache to Healing
The mission of Ignite Hope centers on the core belief that each child should experience a safe, loving family environment. By having programs aimed at family reunification, adoption, and crisis intervention, Ignite Hope serves as a lifeline for children and families in desperate need.
Under her leadership, Jacqui has brought transformative change to communities across the United States. One of the most notable initiatives in the organization is the “Pre-Born to Permanency” program which offers holistic support to expectant mothers, foster families, and adoptive parents.
“We are focused on developing systems of support that not only place children but truly nurture them,” Jacqui emphasizes. “The success of the program speaks to her vision: healing long-term for these children while empowering families with tools to thrive,” she says.
The Power of Advocacy
Jacqui’s work extends beyond program development; she is a relentless advocate for policy reform in child welfare. Currently pursuing her PhD in Public Policy at Liberty University, Jacqui uses her academic pursuits to inform her advocacy efforts. Her research focuses on systemic challenges within child welfare and the implementation of faith-based solutions.
“Policy is where change happens on a larger scale,” Jacqui says. “It’s not enough to address the symptoms of a broken system—we need to fix the system itself.”
Through partnerships with government agencies, faith-based organizations, and community leaders, Jacqui has helped shape policies that prioritize family preservation, streamline the adoption process, and ensure that foster children have access to education and mental health services.
A Voice That Resonates
She impacts the nonprofit and policy arena. She’s also a speaker that people listen to because she speaks from a very authentic, passionate place. Her bestselling devotional, Praying Through Your Adoption, has helped guide and comfort countless adoptive families on their journeys.
Writing that book was a very personal experience for me. It is a prayerful guide for parents who are trusting God through the highs and lows of adoption.
The power is in her words because they speak from a place of understanding. Whether she addresses a crowd of thousands at a national conference or shares her insight in an intimate workshop, the message is unmistakable: hope is powerful and changes lives.
Balancing Leadership and Family
There’s the dedicated professional: behind all this are the pursuits of a passionate and committed wife, mother of “tribe,” and her home. This has become a source of love, laughter, and purpose for adoptive and biological children.
“My family is my greatest joy and my daily reminder of why this work matters,” Jacqui says. “Each of my children has taught me something unique about resilience, grace, and the power of belonging.
When not managing Ignite Hope, Jacqui finds solace in nature. She hikes the scenic trails in Georgia or finds peace and serenity in coastal beauty at the beach to remind her of a peaceful life away from the demanding job.
The Call to Action
For Jacqui, the call to ignite hope is more than a mission statement—it’s a life’s purpose. Grounded in her faith, she sees her work as an extension of God’s love for the most vulnerable.
“Every child deserves to know they are valued and loved,” she says. “And every family deserves the support they need to provide that love.”
As Ignite Hope continues to spread under her leadership, no child will stay without a house, and a family will no longer feel let down. Indeed, her passion is a tribute to what work can be at its best; passion meets purpose.
A legacy of transformation.
She has made an indelible mark on the child welfare system and touched thousands of children’s lives and families through Ignite Hope. What she has done to transform lives bears testimony to what gracious, faith-invested leadership looks like. Her story reminds us that even the most challenging beginnings lead to the most extraordinary purpose.
As she continues her journey, Jacqui’s vision remains unwavering. “We’re not just addressing the needs of today,” she says. “We’re building a legacy of hope for generations to come.”
In Jacqui Jackson, the world sees not just a leader but a warrior for change, a voice for the voiceless, and a light for those navigating the darkest of times. Her story—and her mission—is a clarion call to ignite hope, one child, one family, and one life at a time.