Our Team

Leadership Team

Our team of directors are visionary leaders driving our mission forward.

Erin Bradley

she/her

Executive Director

Cortney Cooper

she/her

Development Director

Hanna Hochtetler

she/her. Ella habla español.

Adult & Youth Program Director

Shanette Nickens

she/her

Early Education Program Director

Coordinator Team

Our hands-on leaders coordinating the details that power our impact.

Areiona King

she/her

Communications Coordinator

Lindsay Waltner

she/her

Youth Programs Coordinator

Leischele Carter

she/her

Promise 1000 Program Coordinator

Cara Cooper

she/her

Early Head Start Program Coordinator

Youth Journeys Team

Running up to seven unique programs each year, our Youth Journeys team empowers students in grades K–12 with enriching experiences that build confidence, creativity, and critical life skills. From summer arts and enrichment camps to school-year tutoring, robotics, and financial literacy, our staff fosters growth through mentorship and hands-on learning.

DeRod Jordan “Mr. DJ”

he/him

Youth Coach- Financial Literacy

Chris Locke “Mr. Chris”

he/him

Youth Coach- Robotics

Promise 1000 Team

Our Promise 1000 program is in partnership with Children’s Mercy Hospital. We support expectant parents and families with children ages 0–3. Through bi-weekly, in-home visits, our trained parent coaches focus on family health, early development, and strengthening parent-child connections.

Destinee Gillom

she/her

Parent Coach

Jessica Griffin

she/her

Parent Coach

Diashae Hargrove

she/her

Parent Coach

Talitha McFadden-James

she/her

Parent Coach

Early Head Start Team

Our federally funded Early Head Start program provides weekly, in-home visits for families with children ages 0–3. Parent coaches support early childhood development while equipping caregivers with tools, knowledge, and ongoing encouragement to foster strong, healthy foundations.

Elke Gonzales

she/her

Parent Coach

Gloria Mares

she/her

Parent Coach

Olivia Valerio

she/her. Ella habla español.

Parent Coach

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