Champions for Children Honorees
4C for Children is thrilled to recognize the following local early education heroes for their support and commitment to help create a bright beginning for every child. Congratulations to our 2026 Champions for Children Jon and Ashley Fisher, Pastor Palmer Jason and Western & Southern Financial Group!
____________________________________________________________________________
Jon and Ashley Fisher
When Jon and Ashley Fisher connected with a newborn baby girl and her mother in 2011, they had no idea that one relationship would launch them on a foster care and adoption journey that has resulted in becoming the forever family to 10 children and providing a safe, stable temporary home for numerous other foster children.
Jon and Ashley became licensed foster parents in 2014 to provide emergency care, if needed, for that infant. That same month, they received their first foster placement and then more children followed. One year later, the baby they met four years earlier was placed in their care and they were eventually granted custody.
When they first started their foster care journey, they wanted to help children who needed safe and loving homes. What they found was a purpose far greater than they ever expected: a lifelong calling and the way “we were meant to build our family.”
In 2023, Ashley chose to channel her first-hand experience and passion into a professional role as a licensing associate with NECCO, a local foster care agency. She is incredibly passionate about her role and truly loves helping children and families.
They say they are grateful for every child, every challenge, every lesson and every blessing that this journey has brought into our lives. In her role working with prospective foster parents, she often tells families that if they can help and impact just one child, they have already made a difference.
____________________________________________________________________________
Pastor Palmer Jason
Pastor Palmer Jason is co-owner, managing director and longtime educator at Good Shepherd Academy, a licensed child care center and preschool in Miamisburg, OH. He directs a staff of 12 employees and believes that “every child deserves a great childhood, even if it’s only for a few hours a day.”
He has a MBA in finance from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from United Theological Seminary. He also holds a designation as a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Alumnus. In addition to his work at Good Shepherd Academy, he is founder and senior pastor at Jubilee Community Church.
Palmer also serves on the boards of area non-profit ministries and has served on committees and advisory panels with Preschool Promise, The Kindergarten Readiness Summit and Groundwork Ohio. He is a workshop instructor and has facilitated training for Preschool Promise, 4C for Children and KB Educational Staffing Services.
In his spare time, he enjoys traveling. Palmer and his wife Lisa recently celebrated 39 years of marriage and have two adult children, Ezzy and Preston.
____________________________________________________________________________
Western & Southern Financial Group
Western & Southern Financial Group is committed to doing good for others by investing time, talent and treasure in early childhood education, recognizing that a strong start helps children build a foundation for lifelong success.
For more than 20 years, Western & Southern has been a dedicated supporter of 4C for Children. Through that support Western & Southern has helped expand access to high-quality early learning resources, professional development for early childhood educators and family support and child care services that benefit children and families throughout the region.
This partnership continues to reflect a shared commitment to creating brighter beginnings for our children and building a brighter future for our community.
