Executive Management Team
Sarah Coleman
Executive Director
Sarah is a Liberty University graduate (‘98) with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She is also a licensed foster and adoptive parent, and has a background in volunteer church leadership and small business.
In 2015 Sarah co-founded Hope’s Closet and helped establish the board of directors. She served as Chair of the board of directors for 18 months before transitioning to Executive Director in 2016.
Sarah is a member of the Community Development Professionals and Urbancrest Baptist Church.
Sarah and her husband Tim have been married for 21 years. They are raising five biological children, two children they adopted through foster care, and are current foster parents to a little one as well. She feels called to be a positive change in the arena of foster care and child welfare. Sarah is passionate about building intentional relationships to restore broken families and to show families God’s love through the work she does.
Contact Sarah directly at sarah@hopesclosetohio.org
Executive Director
Sarah is a Liberty University graduate (‘98) with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. She is also a licensed foster and adoptive parent, and has a background in volunteer church leadership and small business.
In 2015 Sarah co-founded Hope’s Closet and helped establish the board of directors. She served as Chair of the board of directors for 18 months before transitioning to Executive Director in 2016.
Sarah is a member of the Community Development Professionals and Urbancrest Baptist Church.
Sarah and her husband Tim have been married for 21 years. They are raising five biological children, two children they adopted through foster care, and are current foster parents to a little one as well. She feels called to be a positive change in the arena of foster care and child welfare. Sarah is passionate about building intentional relationships to restore broken families and to show families God’s love through the work she does.
Contact Sarah directly at sarah@hopesclosetohio.org
Maddie Wentling
Foster Parent Recruiter and Mentor
Maddie is a graduate from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science. She is a licensed foster parent through Butler County and serves in leadership at her church. Maddie and her husband, Chad, became foster parents because of their love for children and hearing about the great need in the area. They have fostered three children in the two years they have been licensed and pray they can help many children and families throughout their fostering journey.
After their first placement left in October 2016, Maddie discovered Hope’s Closet. She was looking for a community to help comfort her during that difficult time. She began attending Foster Mom Night Out and was so excited to talk and connect with other foster moms who have experienced the same thing. Since then, Maddie has gotten more involved with Hope’s Closet and has become
passionate about foster care advocacy and foster parent support. She regularly speaks at churches and community events about foster care and helps host the monthly Foster Parent Info Meeting at Butler County Children Services.
When she’s not promoting foster care, Maddie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and two dogs traveling, going to Red’s games, doing yoga, and relaxing in coffee shops.
Contact Maddie directly at maddie@hopesclosetohio.org
Foster Parent Recruiter and Mentor
Maddie is a graduate from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science. She is a licensed foster parent through Butler County and serves in leadership at her church. Maddie and her husband, Chad, became foster parents because of their love for children and hearing about the great need in the area. They have fostered three children in the two years they have been licensed and pray they can help many children and families throughout their fostering journey.
After their first placement left in October 2016, Maddie discovered Hope’s Closet. She was looking for a community to help comfort her during that difficult time. She began attending Foster Mom Night Out and was so excited to talk and connect with other foster moms who have experienced the same thing. Since then, Maddie has gotten more involved with Hope’s Closet and has become
passionate about foster care advocacy and foster parent support. She regularly speaks at churches and community events about foster care and helps host the monthly Foster Parent Info Meeting at Butler County Children Services.
When she’s not promoting foster care, Maddie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and two dogs traveling, going to Red’s games, doing yoga, and relaxing in coffee shops.
Contact Maddie directly at maddie@hopesclosetohio.org
Sara Gabbard
Director of Engagement
Sara is a graduate of Methodist University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Marketing and a Masters of Education in Sports Management from Xavier University. She comes to Hope's Closet with a background in children's ministry, volunteer coordinating and marketing. She is passionate about connecting people to fulfilling volunteer opportunities that use their gifts to serve children in foster care. Sara and her husband Andrew became licensed foster parents through Butler County after witnessing a beautiful adoption story of a close family friend. After becoming licensed, Sara jumped in with both feet at Hope's Closet through participating in Foster Mom's Night Out and Equip Foster Parent Training. She leads the fundraising efforts at Hope's Closet including the planning of the annual fundraising gala, An Evening of Hope.
Aside from her beautiful and joyful foster son, Sara has three busy biological children who keep her on her toes. One of the greatest unexpected rewards that the Gabbards have received on their foster care journey has been seeing their biological children's hearts expand and soften as they welcomed a little foster love into their family.
Contact Sara directly at sarag@hopesclosetohio.org
Director of Engagement
Sara is a graduate of Methodist University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Marketing and a Masters of Education in Sports Management from Xavier University. She comes to Hope's Closet with a background in children's ministry, volunteer coordinating and marketing. She is passionate about connecting people to fulfilling volunteer opportunities that use their gifts to serve children in foster care. Sara and her husband Andrew became licensed foster parents through Butler County after witnessing a beautiful adoption story of a close family friend. After becoming licensed, Sara jumped in with both feet at Hope's Closet through participating in Foster Mom's Night Out and Equip Foster Parent Training. She leads the fundraising efforts at Hope's Closet including the planning of the annual fundraising gala, An Evening of Hope.
Aside from her beautiful and joyful foster son, Sara has three busy biological children who keep her on her toes. One of the greatest unexpected rewards that the Gabbards have received on their foster care journey has been seeing their biological children's hearts expand and soften as they welcomed a little foster love into their family.
Contact Sara directly at sarag@hopesclosetohio.org
Stacy Middendorf
Hope's Closet Boutique Manager
Stacy graduated from Miami University with her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2009. She continues to work in this field with the adult population focusing on stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury and swallowing disorders.
Stacy’s call to foster care began in college when both her and her now husband, Alex, read the book “A Child Called It,” by David Pelzer. Although on the back burner for several years, this gentle calling into foster care, turned into a slight nudge, then hard, dramatic push in the right direction from God, and in 2014 they finally surrendered to the call and became licensed foster parents. They currently have 4 children, 3 biological children and 1 adopted through foster care. Stacy enjoys running, family bike rides, the beach, reading and summertime!
Both Stacy and Alex are very passionate about their calling to simply offer up their family and home to any child in need. She feels very blessed to be able to serve the children and be on the front lines as the face of Hope’s Closet through being the shopping assistant team leader. Through her work, she not only is able to provide them with essentials such as clothes, shoes and toiletries, she is able to show them the overwhelming amount of community support and more importantly, that they are loved by God and are worth it.
Contact Stacy directly at stacy@hopesclosetohio.org
Hope's Closet Boutique Manager
Stacy graduated from Miami University with her Masters of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2009. She continues to work in this field with the adult population focusing on stroke, neurodegenerative disorders, traumatic brain injury and swallowing disorders.
Stacy’s call to foster care began in college when both her and her now husband, Alex, read the book “A Child Called It,” by David Pelzer. Although on the back burner for several years, this gentle calling into foster care, turned into a slight nudge, then hard, dramatic push in the right direction from God, and in 2014 they finally surrendered to the call and became licensed foster parents. They currently have 4 children, 3 biological children and 1 adopted through foster care. Stacy enjoys running, family bike rides, the beach, reading and summertime!
Both Stacy and Alex are very passionate about their calling to simply offer up their family and home to any child in need. She feels very blessed to be able to serve the children and be on the front lines as the face of Hope’s Closet through being the shopping assistant team leader. Through her work, she not only is able to provide them with essentials such as clothes, shoes and toiletries, she is able to show them the overwhelming amount of community support and more importantly, that they are loved by God and are worth it.
Contact Stacy directly at stacy@hopesclosetohio.org
Kelsey Helton
Director of Care Communities
Kelsey is a graduate of Cincinnati Christian University, with a degree in Biblical Studies. She has a background in church leadership and administrative leadership. She and her husband, Nick, have been licensed foster and adoptive parents with Butler County for 2 years. In that time they have fostered 4 children and have adopted their teenage son through foster care.
Nick and Kelsey decided to look into foster care when they felt the Lord very clearly calling them to advocate for the modern orphan. They knew absolutely nothing about foster care when their journey began. They were not originally looking to expand their family through adoption but the Lord had other plans! They can't imagine their lives any other way.
Kelsey is excited to walk with other families through foster care and adoption. The journey can be stressful and even scary. She is so thankful for the community she has found at Hope's Closet!
When not helping out with Hope's Closet, Kelsey runs a small business and looks for quiet, secret time to nap. Nick and Kelsey both have theater background and can be found enjoying performing arts anytime they have a date night.
Contact Kelsey directly at kelsey@hopesclosetohio.org
Director of Care Communities
Kelsey is a graduate of Cincinnati Christian University, with a degree in Biblical Studies. She has a background in church leadership and administrative leadership. She and her husband, Nick, have been licensed foster and adoptive parents with Butler County for 2 years. In that time they have fostered 4 children and have adopted their teenage son through foster care.
Nick and Kelsey decided to look into foster care when they felt the Lord very clearly calling them to advocate for the modern orphan. They knew absolutely nothing about foster care when their journey began. They were not originally looking to expand their family through adoption but the Lord had other plans! They can't imagine their lives any other way.
Kelsey is excited to walk with other families through foster care and adoption. The journey can be stressful and even scary. She is so thankful for the community she has found at Hope's Closet!
When not helping out with Hope's Closet, Kelsey runs a small business and looks for quiet, secret time to nap. Nick and Kelsey both have theater background and can be found enjoying performing arts anytime they have a date night.
Contact Kelsey directly at kelsey@hopesclosetohio.org
Hannah Coleman
Equip Training Coordinator
Hannah is a current Miami University student pursuing her Bachelors Dgree in Small Business Management and Communication Studies. Hannah has been involved with kids through church small groups, babysitting, and doing childcare for foster events, since she was 13 years old.
When she is not studdying, volunteering, or working, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and going on any sort of adventures. These adventures could be hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, zip-lining, or almost anything of that nature.
Hannah grew up with everything she needed, never experiencing what it felt like not to be loved, feel safe, or be in desperate need of a basic thing such as food or clothes. When her parents started to babysit a foster child for a family friend, her perspective of the world changed completely. Soon after, Hannah's parents became foster parents themselves, exposing her to even more of the foster care world.
Since this life changing event, Hannah's heart has been stolen by the hurting, broken families that make up foster care. She now aspires to help these kids and parents, along with the foster parents, in whatever capacity she is able.
Contact Hannah directly at hannah@hopesclosetohio.org
Equip Training Coordinator
Hannah is a current Miami University student pursuing her Bachelors Dgree in Small Business Management and Communication Studies. Hannah has been involved with kids through church small groups, babysitting, and doing childcare for foster events, since she was 13 years old.
When she is not studdying, volunteering, or working, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and going on any sort of adventures. These adventures could be hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, zip-lining, or almost anything of that nature.
Hannah grew up with everything she needed, never experiencing what it felt like not to be loved, feel safe, or be in desperate need of a basic thing such as food or clothes. When her parents started to babysit a foster child for a family friend, her perspective of the world changed completely. Soon after, Hannah's parents became foster parents themselves, exposing her to even more of the foster care world.
Since this life changing event, Hannah's heart has been stolen by the hurting, broken families that make up foster care. She now aspires to help these kids and parents, along with the foster parents, in whatever capacity she is able.
Contact Hannah directly at hannah@hopesclosetohio.org
Board of Directors
Rick Vogsberger
Board Chairman
In 2012 Rick and his wife Karen took their children Austin, Bradyn & Colin to “Foster Parents Night Out”, where they had their first significant exposure to foster care. As a parent, it was Rick’s goal to help his kids see the need of children in our community and hopefully impress on them to think less about themselves and more of others. It was at that event Rick learned his Heavenly Father had for him the same goal. God broke Rick’s heart for His little ones, and he knew he must respond in some way. That night started their journey, as Karen and Rick are currently adopting 3-year-old twins (boy and girl) who have been part of our family for 2-1/2 years.
Rick has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Baptist Bible College. Rick enjoys spending time with his family, serving with his wife at their church, traveling & any excuse for sports especially if it includes the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Yankees.
Board Chairman
In 2012 Rick and his wife Karen took their children Austin, Bradyn & Colin to “Foster Parents Night Out”, where they had their first significant exposure to foster care. As a parent, it was Rick’s goal to help his kids see the need of children in our community and hopefully impress on them to think less about themselves and more of others. It was at that event Rick learned his Heavenly Father had for him the same goal. God broke Rick’s heart for His little ones, and he knew he must respond in some way. That night started their journey, as Karen and Rick are currently adopting 3-year-old twins (boy and girl) who have been part of our family for 2-1/2 years.
Rick has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Baptist Bible College. Rick enjoys spending time with his family, serving with his wife at their church, traveling & any excuse for sports especially if it includes the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Yankees.
Valerie Schatzke
Board Secretary
Valerie’s passion for the foster care world began a few years ago when helping to serve the foster care community alongside a friend at church. That opportunity ignited a longing to do something more. After several conversations with other foster parents and friends, Valerie and her husband Matt became licensed foster and adoptive parents in February of 2016. Valerie joined the board in May of 2015 to serve as secretary.
Valerie has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business education from The Ohio State University. She spent ten years in brick and mortar high schools teaching business education and has spent that last seven years teaching for an online charter school. She most recently received her certificate in online and blended learning from The University of Cincinnati.
Valerie and Matt currently have two biological children and one daughter adopted from foster care, in their home. They moved to Liberty Township ten years ago from central Ohio. They enjoy spending time visiting family, boating and attending Buckeye games in the fall and Reds games in the summer.
Board Secretary
Valerie’s passion for the foster care world began a few years ago when helping to serve the foster care community alongside a friend at church. That opportunity ignited a longing to do something more. After several conversations with other foster parents and friends, Valerie and her husband Matt became licensed foster and adoptive parents in February of 2016. Valerie joined the board in May of 2015 to serve as secretary.
Valerie has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business education from The Ohio State University. She spent ten years in brick and mortar high schools teaching business education and has spent that last seven years teaching for an online charter school. She most recently received her certificate in online and blended learning from The University of Cincinnati.
Valerie and Matt currently have two biological children and one daughter adopted from foster care, in their home. They moved to Liberty Township ten years ago from central Ohio. They enjoy spending time visiting family, boating and attending Buckeye games in the fall and Reds games in the summer.
Dale Howell
Board Treasurer
Dale has been working with Hope’s Closet since 2018. His interest in the mission of Hope’s Closet grew when his daughter and son-in-law fostered and adopted a little boy through the foster care system. After witnessing the assistance and support Hope’s Closet provided to foster families first hand, he joined the Board of Directors to lend his work experience and expertise to the organization.
Dale earned his Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from Xavier University. He retired from Cincinnati Bell in 2015 after over 30 years of service. He currently is working as a consultant. He married his wife Betty 40 years ago and helped raise two children. He is active in his church and enjoys woodworking, wood turning and using the skills obtained from his career and hobbies to help others.
Board Treasurer
Dale has been working with Hope’s Closet since 2018. His interest in the mission of Hope’s Closet grew when his daughter and son-in-law fostered and adopted a little boy through the foster care system. After witnessing the assistance and support Hope’s Closet provided to foster families first hand, he joined the Board of Directors to lend his work experience and expertise to the organization.
Dale earned his Bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from Xavier University. He retired from Cincinnati Bell in 2015 after over 30 years of service. He currently is working as a consultant. He married his wife Betty 40 years ago and helped raise two children. He is active in his church and enjoys woodworking, wood turning and using the skills obtained from his career and hobbies to help others.
Matt Wieland
Vice Chair
Matt joined Hope's Closet's Board in 2017. His desire to make a difference in the lives of children placed in difficult circumstances sparked his interest in Hope's Closet. He saw the impact we can make first hand when his family embraced a young man exiting the foster care system. The stable environment enabled that young man to transition into a successful person and become one of Matt's closest friends.
Matt has a Bachelor's degree from The University of Akron and a Ph.D. from Indiana University, both in accounting. He is currently a professor at Miami University's Farmer School of Business. He has a fantastic wife Laura and three children, Emerson, Corinne, and Ella. He enjoys coaching/watching his kid’s sporting activities, engaging at his church, running, and playing golf.
Vice Chair
Matt joined Hope's Closet's Board in 2017. His desire to make a difference in the lives of children placed in difficult circumstances sparked his interest in Hope's Closet. He saw the impact we can make first hand when his family embraced a young man exiting the foster care system. The stable environment enabled that young man to transition into a successful person and become one of Matt's closest friends.
Matt has a Bachelor's degree from The University of Akron and a Ph.D. from Indiana University, both in accounting. He is currently a professor at Miami University's Farmer School of Business. He has a fantastic wife Laura and three children, Emerson, Corinne, and Ella. He enjoys coaching/watching his kid’s sporting activities, engaging at his church, running, and playing golf.
Bonnie Hammond
Board Member
Bonnie attended Baylor University, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Miami University, and received a Masters of Education from the University of Cincinnati.
After spending 5 years teaching high school and at the University of Cincinnati, she spent 35 years in Real Estate in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. Bonnie found her passion and dedication for helping improve the opportunities for our next generation through the foster care programs of Hope’s Closet.
Bonnie has 2 adult children and 5 grandsons. She enjoys traveling, sports, and her involvement with family, church, and community.
Board Member
Bonnie attended Baylor University, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Miami University, and received a Masters of Education from the University of Cincinnati.
After spending 5 years teaching high school and at the University of Cincinnati, she spent 35 years in Real Estate in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. Bonnie found her passion and dedication for helping improve the opportunities for our next generation through the foster care programs of Hope’s Closet.
Bonnie has 2 adult children and 5 grandsons. She enjoys traveling, sports, and her involvement with family, church, and community.
Erika Kalnai
Board Member
Erika’s enthusiasm for Hope’s Closet began when she attended a fundraiser for the organization hosted by a neighbor, and later evolved to volunteering on various Hope’s Closet projects. Over the years, her life has been touched by foster families and she has a passion for supporting, encouraging, and championing them.
Erika has a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University and is currently a senior bank examiner. She and her husband Brad live in Liberty Township with their two spunky schnoodles, Linus and Lucy. She enjoys time spent with her family, reading, traveling, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.
Board Member
Erika’s enthusiasm for Hope’s Closet began when she attended a fundraiser for the organization hosted by a neighbor, and later evolved to volunteering on various Hope’s Closet projects. Over the years, her life has been touched by foster families and she has a passion for supporting, encouraging, and championing them.
Erika has a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University and is currently a senior bank examiner. She and her husband Brad live in Liberty Township with their two spunky schnoodles, Linus and Lucy. She enjoys time spent with her family, reading, traveling, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.