Dr. Mark, a resident of Conway, AR, is a retired Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Central Arkansas, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and co-founder and Executive Director of Chicks for Children Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit. Cooper served as the Mashburn Center for Learning Director at UCA before retirement. He co-authors EACH ONE – REACH ONE: Making a Difference One Person at a Time, a faith-based lesson series on equipping youth to fulfill God’s ambitious plans.

Dr. Don Deshler, a Kansas City resident, is the Williamson Family Distinguished Professor Emeritus, founder, and former Director of the Center for Research on Learning at the University of Kansas. Deshler was an appointee to the National Institute for Literacy and served on the board of directors for the National Center for Learning Disabilities. He has also advised on adolescent achievement to the U.S. State Department, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the National Governor’ Association, and the Council on Families and Literacy.  

Dr. Renee Calhoon, a Cabot, Arkansas resident, is the University of Central Arkansas Mashburn Center for Learning Director and an adjunct professor. She is also a nationally recognized professional developer and champion of struggling learners in the state of Arkansas. Before transitioning to higher education, she was a classroom teacher and principal. As a principal, Dr. Calhoon’s middle school was an Arkansas Diamond School and National School to Watch. Ray Wasike and Renee are the face and voice of the Each One – Reach One Video Training Module.

Matt grew up in Costa Rica, the child of missionary parents. He moved to the United States as an adult, married and raised a family. He has worked in a variety of fields. At the present time, Matt is a software developer. Throughout his life, Matt has serviced people in poverty. He has served as a board member since the inception of Chicks for Children in 2010. Matt has been an invaluable resource to Chicks for Children. He has also been a valuable resource in a variety of other mission-minded ministries in the Conway community. There is no hesitation to Matt helping meet the needs of others.

Jim Cooper, Mark and Linda’s son, (known to his Kenyan family and friends as “Jimmy”) is a missionary who serves the orphans, vulnerable children, and widows from the Kipsongo slum. God opened his heart in 2008 to serve with Pastor Richard and Hellen Makani and the Seeds Ministry mission team in Kitale.

Jim helps mobilize and transport support from the states to Kitale. He is also instrumental in helping develop and implement a variety of funding campaigns for our foundation. In partnership with the Makanis.

Jim is truly the head, heart, and hands for the Chicks for Children Foundation. In partnership with the Makanis, Jimmy assumes important roles and responsibilities in mentoring and discipling the kids to be successful leaders and disciples. His ministry initiatives include the music ministry, Children’s and Youth Church at Seeds Children’s Home, and Seeds High School, a youth bible study, a leadership/discipleship class, and service projects.

People ask Jimmy, “What do you do?” He often replies, “I remain alert to the kid’s needs and make myself available to meet their needs.” Jimmy helps the kids become more faithful, to endure hardship, to rely on the grace of God, and show the love of Christ. He is a wonderful example for our call to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

Pastor Richard and Hellen Makani are Kenyan nationals who founded and direct Seeds Ministry in Kitale, Kenya. While planting a church in Kitale, they came across the Kipsongo slum (called the Place of the Hopeless) and felt compelled to help. Out of their meager personal budget and in obedience to God’s leading, they sacrificed one meal a week to feed as many of the orphans from the slum that they could manage. From this simple step of faith in 2002, Seeds Ministry was born.

Pastor Richard and Hellen are mission-minded people with servant hearts. They have four wonderful children – Mercy, Mike, Faith, and Joshua. They strongly believe in utilizing their resources to build income-saving and income generating projects to sustain the many Seeds Ministries. Like Jimmy, they are very much our foundation heads, hearts, and hands.

Pastor Richard and Hellen strive to motivate, educate, and inspire the orphans and vulnerable children. They want the children to see themselves through God’s lens and to know the love of Christ. They are highly motivated to help the children and youth overcome physical, psychological, educational, and spiritual poverty.

They are truly wonderful role-models in the lives of the kids who transport the kids from starvation, homelessness, illiteracy, disease, despair, abandonment, and neglect/abuse to an environment filled with tender, loving care at the children’s home and academy.

Dr. Pillow lives in Conway, Arkansas, with his wife, Peggy. Dr. Pillow and Peggy founded and directs WeCan, a network of Christ centered transformation ministries for addicts. WeCan is also an Arkansas partner for Life Relaunch headquartered in Ft. Meyers, Florida. Dr. Pillow has been a board member for Chicks for Children since its inception. He has served the foundation in many capacities. On numerous occasions, Dr. Pillow has traveled to serve the orphans and vulnerable children in Kitale. There is no question Dr. Pillow left a lasting impression on the kids just as the kids left a lasting impression on him.

Jan Spann lives in Conway, Arkansas, with her husband, Randy. The couple has five children and 13 grandchildren. In retirement, she devotes time to First Presbyterian Church. As a young child, Jan learned of God’s love. She serves in the church office, chairs the Mission Committee, and cares for the community vegetable garden at the church. Jan is considered a community activist in Conway. In her free time, Jan loves gardening, reading, and traveling. She hopes her next international trip will be to serve Seeds Ministry in Kitale.