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Hands Across the Bay Idea Incubator Documentaries & Reports Speak Up!Project Patchwork is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) adoption and children services agency located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Our vision is that every child has a safe, loving home and the opportunity to flourish. Our mission is to cultivate safe, loving homes and to inspire expression, participation, and connection through adoption and family services, expressive arts, community programs, and advocacy. Project Patchwork was founded in 2007 with over 25 years of combined experience with children and families of the Executive Director, Maria Bates, J.D., and the Program Director, Andrea Turnbull, LMHC.
Project Patchwork is licensed as a child-placing (adoption) agency by the Department of Children and Families, License # 020844.
The Board of Directors provides oversight and is made up of individuals with a range of experience in strategic planning, social services, legal advocacy, development, and grant writing. The day to day management of the organization is provided by the Executive Director, Maria Bates, and the Program Director, Andrea Turnbull.
Executive Director: Maria Bates, J.D.
Maria@projectpatchwork.org
Maria Bates received a J.D. degree from Stetson University College of Law in 2007 and a B.A. degree from Eckerd College in 1997 in Human Development. Maria became interested in adoption issues after having volunteered at an orphanage for teenage girls in Cochabamba Bolivia in the summer of 1995. She started her professional career as direct care worker and counselor at a juvenile justice addiction program and at a group home for teenage girls in Pinellas County. Maria went on to work in both the private and public sector as a consultant. Her work included strategic planning, nonprofit governance, fundraising, organizational development and process improvement. During this time Maria also spent much time traveling throughout the United States and Latin America and volunteering in the arts.
Determined to take her passion for kids to the next level, Maria earned her law degree and began working in children’s legal advocacy. After completing her degree, she founded Project Patchwork, Inc. and continues to be a champion for children touched by foster care and adoption.
Program Director: Andrea Turnbull, M.A., LMHC
Andrea@projectpatchwork.org
Andrea Turnbull, LMHC joined Project Patchwork with over 14 years of experience working with children and their families. After earning her undergraduate degree in International Studies at Eckerd College, Andrea went on to participate in a volunteer program in Honduras working with children living in an orphanage. Once back home, she began a 14 year career at a residential psychiatric facility for children. She began her work in direct care, which grew to include many contributions to the leadership team including Supervisor, Program Director, Clinical director and Director of Training and Staff Development. During this time she earned her MA in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from University of South Florida and is a Qualified Supervisor. In addition, Andrea has been an Associate Trainer of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and has been providing this training for over 6 years.
Andrea is passionate about her commitment to supporting and nurturing children, adolescents, and the adults that love and care for them. She always looks forward to the opportunity to work in the community to provide innovative services to children and families.
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