Meet Our Team
Steve HeilshorN
Executive Director
Steve Heilshorn is an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In over 30 years of ministry, he has served as a staff director with the Defiance Area Youth for Christ for 10 years and 13 years as a youth/associate pastor at Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert. More recently, Steve served as the Senior Pastor at Dupont Church of the Brethren for four years. In November of 2021, he became the Executive Director of Children’s Lantern. He brings to this ministry a heart for kids and families in foster, adoptive, and kinship care with the love of Christ. His experience of ministry over the years has helped him in areas of fundraising, counseling, leadership, networking, and telling others of the hope we have through Jesus Christ. His purpose in life is to help others and point them to the Kingdom of God.
Steve and his wife Leslie live in Paulding. They have two boys, Samuel married to Marissa (Westerville, OH) and Benjamin, married to Hannah (Columbus, OH). Lastly, Steve and Leslie are the grandparents of the most perfect little girl, Lucia.
Daisy moening
Office and financial administrator
Daisy lives in Defiance and joins our team with a genuine heart for service and a deep connection to our mission. She helps oversee our finances and is almost always in the office, greeting everyone with a smile and a welcoming warmth. Daisy is a committed Christian, and the love of Christ is so present in her that it naturally overflows into everyone she interacts with.
She serves as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer in Northwest Ohio, where she advocates for the best interests of children in the foster care system. Her passion for children and families runs deep. Daisy and her husband have fostered and adopted, and they are now the proud parents of five wonderful, energetic children. They are currently working toward renewing their foster license to provide respite care for families in need.
TONYA BRISENO
FAMILY CARE COORDINATOR
Tonya Briseno is our Family Care Coodinator, working with foster, adoptive, and kinship care families. She pours her heart into helping these families working diligently to provide resources to families we serve, as well as providing support by way of connecting with children and caregivers through activities, events, and emotional support on a continual basis.
Tonya has been married to her husband, Steve, for 31 years. They have two children, Boston and Layla, and have fostered many teenagers. Before joining our Children’s Lantern family, Tonya served the Defiance community for 19 years at Youth for Christ.
Email: familycare@childrenslantern.org
Kirsten vanisacker
Marketing/communications director
Kirsten is originally from Michigan but came to Defiance to play college volleyball. She will be graduating from Defiance College this winter with her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She has been with us for a year, beginning as an intern, then serving as our Social Media Specialist, and now stepping into the role of Marketing and Communications Director.
Kirsten is a faithful follower of Christ with a genuine heart for Him, and she brings a joyful spirit to everything she does. Her energy, creativity, and youthful perspective enrich our organization in meaningful ways. She plans to remain on staff with us after graduation, and we are grateful for the passion she brings to our mission.
Email: marketing@childrenslantern.org