Our Vision & Mission
Our mission is to see kids’ hearts and lives transformed by God’s love. By providing opportunities for joy, relief with physical nourishment, and hope found in Christ, we are witnessing our mission unfold across the globe.
Our Team
Leadership
Jeff Rosene
President/CEO
Dan Liesik
Vice President of Global Programs
Melissa Lounsbury
Vice President of Mission Advancement
Steve Nine
Vice President of Global Expansion
U.S. Staff
Jeremiah Addy
Program Lead
April Bodrie
Executive Assistant
Jackson Collins
Food Event Manager
Dave Dahl
Operations Director, Int’l
Phil Falconer
Playground Support
Charlotte Heeren
Finance Director
Heather Johnson
Communications Manager
Jim Kamikawa
Event Manager
Amanda Martell
Regional Director
Andrew Martin
Resource Partnerships Director
David McDonald
Food Program Manager
Levi Millerborg
Media Content Manager
Debbie Morales
Director of Mission Advancement
Britta Nelson
Teams Manager
Coleman Nelson
Major Events Manager
Anna Nuñez
Hope Zone Communications Coordinator
Tim Pedersen
Playground Support
Amy Pembleton
Senior Marketing Director
Chase Perkins
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Killian Roberson
Refurbishment Lead
Sam Snyder
Operations Director
Gary Strudler
Director of Relational Discipleship
Daniel Torres
Event Manager
Brian Wahl
Regional Director
Ben Wallace
Partnerships Manager,
Western U.S.
Western U.S.
Jared Weidman
Creative Director
Greg Weitzel
Sr. Director of Play Partnerships
Gabe Zammit
Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager
International Staff
Jacky Altamirano
Programs/Discipleship Director
Anzo Andruga
Hope Zone Manager
Moses Andruga
Discipleship Director
Ashim
Regional Director
Mario Bertis
Teams Coordinator
Angel Castro
Hope Zone Manager
Emmanuel Corsino
Programs Director
Ramon Corsino
Operations Coordinator
Kennedy Fumba
Regional Director
Brenda Iniguez
Finance Support
Katherine Lopera
Hope Zone Manager
Cristopher Macias
Hope Zone Senior Manager
Cristhian Montero
Warehouse Support
Josué Moreira
Hope Zone Manager
Samaria Moreira
Hope Zone Manager
Flona Mutesasira
Regional Director
Jorge Oliveros
Training/Pastoral Care
Denis Oryema
Hope Zone Manager
Zenõn Palma
Warehouse Manager
Rene
Regional Director
Lala
Regional Director
Aracelys Reyes
Discipleship Director
Karen Rodriguez
Finance Support
Richard Ssekyeru
Programs Director
Marlon Suãrez
Hope Zone Senior Manager
President Emeritus
Jim & Denise Rosene
Our Board of Directors
Bill & Tonya Meister, Chairman
Denny & Evie Johnson, Founder & Chairman Emeritus
Dave & Jill Love, Vice Chairman
Steve Sjogren, Treasurer
Frank & Sonja Beach
Paul Bierhaus
Jim & Sharon Hessenthaler
Kurt & Sue Jensen
Joe & Paige Koch
Dan & Barb Martin
Rich & Michele Meyer
Scott & Judy Nyquist
Raul & Jill Rodila
Our History
In 1994, KATW began when Denny and Evie Johnson came up with a plan to help Rockford’s sister cities around the world (sister cities allow for average citizens to engage in diplomatic relationships). One of Rockford’s many sister cities is Brovary, Ukraine. As a gift to Brovary, KATW built the first of two playgrounds for the city’s children.
In March 2000, Jim Rosene started working full-time for KATW as President. For the first 6 years, Kids Around the World was an all volunteer organization — gifted men and women led the charge under the leadership of the Board of Directors. As the organization continued to grow, it became obvious they needed a full-time leader and in March 2000, Kids Around the World welcomed Jim Rosene as their President.
In 2008, KATW started OneMeal, a mobile food-packing program that feeds children worldwide. Local churches, schools, businesses, and civic groups even host food packing events at their own locations or at the KATW warehouse.
From the very beginning, we had an outreach to children with puppets, songs and flannelgraphs, but realized we could accomplish so much more if we were able to train and equip leaders with an oral-based strategy: Bible Storytelling. It was in 2013 that we officially launched KIDStory, impacting lives of children by creating an environment where they are loved and accepted, play games, and have fun learning the Bible.
In 2020, we launched a Spirit-led initiative to go deeper in communities around the globe through our Food, Play, Story approach. In partnership with local churches and leaders, we began creating environments, Hope Zones, in three countries, where kids and families experience hope and communities experience lasting transformation.
A year of celebrating milestones for our ministry; as we build our 1200th playground, pack our 76 Millionth meal, and celebrate 30 years of ministry. 2024 is also a year of looking ahead at the horizon, as we plan for the continued expansion of the Gospel and our ministry efforts through new Hope Zones, expanded KIDStory regions, and the equipping of partner ministries to bless kids through FOOD, PLAY, STORY.
Our Financials
Kids Around the World is eager both to remain financially transparent as well as to strive for financial growth for the purpose of serving more children. We work to continue our efficiency in raising and spending money. We are proud to report that in 2023, the percentage of funds used directly for program services was 90%, while the percentage spent on administrative and fundraising expenses was 10%. We continually maximize our effectiveness as we deliver the gift of food, play, and story all over the world — thanks to donors and partners like you.
When it comes to donations and giving to Kids Around the World, we abide by the financial guidelines set forth by the ECFA (view documentation). This specific document explains their policy on Stewardship of Charitable Gifts.