BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOUNDERS
Justin Teixeira – President
Erika Teixeira – Vice President
Justin and Erika Teixeira answered the call of God and moved to Rumford, Maine, in 2023 with their seven children. They are grateful believers in Jesus Christ. Their love for one another, their children and the community emulates God’s unconditional love for everyone.
Through having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they have experienced deliverance from the chains of addiction, healing, restored identity in Christ, reconciliation and redemption! This freedom has produced a desire to seek out the lost and broken, meeting them where they are at and witnessing the saving power of Jesus Christ. Hope In The Streets is a ministry that brings hope to the hopeless, reconciles and restores families and raises up the next generation of future leaders.
Tara and Mike Morin are faithful followers of Jesus, whose marriage stands as a living testimony to God’s grace, redemption, and enduring love. With deep passion for their community, they have embraced a calling to serve the youth of the Mexico/Rumford, Maine area through Hope In The Streets.
This outreach is especially close to their hearts because of the promise it carries: bringing hope, purpose, and transformation to young people through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Tara and Mike believe that every life has value and that every story can reflect God’s glory.
Through authentic relationships, mentorship, and sharing their own testimony, they strive to meet youth where they are, offering not only encouragement but a pathway to lasting faith and identity in Christ. Hope In The Streets exists to ignite change, restore lives, and raise up a generation rooted in truth, love, and the power of the Gospel.
Mike Morin – Board Member
Tara Morin – Board Secretary
My name is Antoine Tolton and I have been preparing taxes for many years. Growing up in the inner city of New York, math and numbers have always held a special place in my heart and always came easy to me. Living in New York City was not always the easiest thing. At the age of five, my mom signed me up for the Fresh Air Fund. This is the program that takes inner city kids and introduces them to country life in New England. They stay with a family for 2 or 4 weeks in the summer. This is where my life took another turn. I came to Maine and was a part of the Weatherbee family. They took me in and showed me that there was more to life than the inner city. Most kids leave the program when they turn 13 or 14. I continued to come up to Maine until I turned 18. It became the place I always wanted to be in. I would leave on the first bus that left New York, no matter what state it was heading to, and would return on the last bus to leave Maine.
I spent all summer in Maine instead of the 2 or 4 weeks. This family gave me more than they can imagine. At the age of 18, I got the offer that would change my life forever. Anne Weatherbee invited me to move to Maine and finish out my senior year with them. This was something I could not pass up and I moved to Maine. This is where I met the love of my life and my biggest supporter. We have been together for 20 years and married in 2005. She always encouraged me to go for my dreams. Looking back, I’ve noticed that God has been working in my life for many years and shaping me into the man that I am today. I met Erika and Justin through my business as a tax professional. Every year we talked about taxes and God and they shared how God has been moving in their lives. We talked about this group and they asked me if I would like to be a part of it as Treasurer. I am excited to watch this ministry grow.
Antoine Tolton – Board Treasurer
Tracey and Veronica Ames vowed themselves to God and each other in 2001 and began their journey to overcome addiction, compulsive behaviors, and toxic relationships. They are deeply rooted in the recovery community and find peace and tranquility in the outdoors. They have developed lasting relationships with people in many organizations across Maine and call the River Valley home. Their lives have been saved repeatedly by the grace of God and they continue to nurture their relationship with Him. With obedience, they walk in faith to find those who feel lost or broken, continually learning and teaching through the Spirit, drawing strength from their peers. In 2024, they met the people who would become the founders of Hope In The Streets Ministry by divine appointment and their passion to serve and provide for others is being fulfilled.
Tracey Ames – Board Member
Veronica Ames – Board Member
Pete and Linda Laplante love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and body. We have overcome addictions of every kind. The Lord is faithful. We believe in Hope In The Streets.
We believe that many will be called to the ministries with with salvation, healings, and miracles. We believe youth should have a place where they can learn and be disipled new followers of Christ. We shall see women, men, teens, and children come to know Him. We love Erika and Justin. Amazing how we spoke about this at bible study and look and see what God has done. It’s been a blessing to see Hope In The Streets grow. It is a privilege to be part of it. We love every worker in this ministry.
Pete Laplante – Board Member
Linda Laplante – Board Member
My name is Dave Milligan. I met Jesus and got saved back in 2012 when I was at the lowest point in my life. Praise Jesus! From that time on, God opened the scriptures to me and gave me a deep hunger and thirst for the truth of His word. If I were ever to miss a day of digging into the word of God, I would not feel right all the rest of the day. I was swiftly delivered from a severe addiction to pornography and, over time, He called me out of my beloved alcohol addiction, as well. In the process of more time, I learned that He was calling me to evangelize, preach, and teach. Since learning what purpose the Lord had for me for the rest of my time on planet Earth, The Lord God Almighty has been strengthening me to face all opposition to His message of reconciliation between God and man.
I went through a dry season in search of whoever the Lord would bring into my presence, to walk together and preach in the streets. There was no one interested! So, I occupied my time meeting people in need out on our streets and in unappreciated areas of our town. I would share what I had with them and tell them they are loved. The Lord God Almighty blessed me with a salvational theme and a way to express it: Opportunity Zone Jesus. Now, www.opportunityzonejesus.com has been launched in recognition that every situation is an opportunity to share the Gospel!
Then my path crossed with Justin and Erika’s. They asked if I would like to H.I.T.S. the streets with them to evangelize. I knew that it was time and my prayers were answered. I have been joining them since they started in June of 2025. It has been an amazing experience! Thank you, Father, in Jesus’ name!
Dave Milligan – Board Member
