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 and the most smiling little guy, Cooper.
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, advocating 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 also have their foster license through Cornerstone 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
Reagan Williams
Marketing/communications director
You might recognize Reagan as one of the area’s local photographers. She has been capturing weddings, families, and other special milestones since 2016, using her creativity and eye for detail to preserve meaningful moments for the people she serves. Alongside her photography work, Reagan also has a background in social media, which helps her connect with her clients and share her passion for storytelling through images.
Reagan and her husband, Caleb, have been married for two years and are excitedly preparing to welcome a baby boy in August. This season of life has been especially meaningful for them as they look forward to growing their family and stepping into parenthood together.
When they’re not working or preparing for their little one’s arrival, Reagan and Caleb enjoy serving side by side at their church. Together, they lead the young adult group, creating community and encouraging others in their faith. Reagan is also part of the worship team, where she loves using music as another way to serve and connect with others.
Email: marketing@childrenslantern.org