Amanda Zamarron
Houseparent
“Using everyday moments to challenge, encourage, and minister to those within our family brings me great joy!“
In 2018, Amanda and her husband, Jorge, were in their 7th year of fostering when a dear friend and former Cookson kid, encouraged them to apply as houseparents at Cookson Hills. That July, the Zs joined our team of houseparents. Outside of the home, kids know Amanda as “Mama Z,” but inside she’s simply Mom or Mommy. Amanda loves the blessing of getting to love on, direct, listen to, color with, read to, laugh with, and help the kids in their family grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Northwest Arkansas Community College. On top of the kids they’ve been able to call “theirs” temporarily, God has blessed them with four beautiful children of their own; Joseph, Stephen, Joshua and Eliana. In Amanda’s words, “They help keep my relationship with the Lord strong as I must pray for wisdom and guidance on a daily basis ;).” If you see Amanda out and about, she’s usually hanging with the fam (she’s a big family person), soaking up the sun during a run or hike, reading her Bible or a book, doing something artsy, or going on another adventure with Jorge!