Dwyatt Gantt, Executive Director
- Dwyatt Gantt
While working in China in 1992, Founder and Executive Director Dwyatt Gantt established Children’s Hope International to find homes for the country’s orphaned children. Over the course of 16 years, Children’s Hope has grown to assist in finding forever homes for children in Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Kazakhstan, Russia and Vietnam.
Through his work in international adoption, Dwyatt encountered many orphans worldwide who would not be adopted, who were left behind in institutions or were at risk of being separated from their families. Their needs were simple, but great - medical and foster care and most importantly hope for their future. Many of these children suffer from poor nutrition and inadequate health care or simply from a lack of love. Children’s Hope Orphan Sponsorship program was established to bring together caring people wishing to minister in love to the orphans in need of homes, health and hope.
Melody Zhang, Associate Director
- Melody Zhang
Note: Click here for a PDF of Melody’s featured profile in Washington University’s Alumni Magazine.
As a reporter for a national Chinese magazine, Melody Zhang met Dwyatt Gantt. The two began finding Chinese orphans homes in the US. It was the beginning of Children’s Hope International – one of the largest adoption and development aid agencies worldwide.
In 1993, Melody moved to Children’s Hope permanent headquarters in St. Louis to spearhead the formation of our Foundation. Melody was a key force in gathering a team of medical experts to send to China in 1999 to perform surgeries on several orphans. This trip marked the beginning of Children’s Hope medical mission project, which later became known as "Give Me New Life" and now provides medical care and treatment to 500 Chinese orphans every year. In 2004 the need was so great she relocated with her family to direct the work of Children’s Hope in China.
Melody firmly believes in teaching the people of each country how to help their own children, through the development of family preservation programs, domestic adoption, and efficient foster care systems. Her goal is to see Children’s Hope work closely with local people to identify the basic needs of their own children and then provide assistance as they establish and begin to run their own programs.
Melody has a personal passion for the older and special needs children who wait for their forever families. She and her husband Kevin have three adopted daughters from China, all of whom entered their family as teenagers. They also have two young daughters born to them in August 2003 and February 2006.
Cory Barron , Foundation Director
- Cory Barron
Born and raised in Kansas, Cory was a television-journalist for over 20 years, working as a feature reporter and weather anchor for stations in Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas. Cory joined Children’s Hope International in April 2003 and has worked joyfully and effectively in many positions within the agency – but most often in connection with communication and public relations. In his leadership of the Foundation, Cory brings his magnetic personality, strong ethics and a passionate heart for orphans.
Cory and his wife Marlene adopted through Children’s Hope International in 1999, becoming proud parents to twin girls from China.
Jessica Hill, Orphan Sponsorship Director
- Jessica Hill
In spring 2006 Jessica came to Children’s Hope International with two years of experience in Children’s Ministry from First Christian Church in Washington, a BS in Christian Education and an AS in Intercultural and Urban Missions from St. Louis Christian College. Jessica served two years at Children’s Hope International as the Executive Assistant before taking her current position as the Orphan Sponsorship Director. She is very involved with her local church and community. Jessica has been on mission trips to Mexico, Europe and Haiti and looks forward to future mission opportunities. As the director of Orphan Sponsorship she is determined to make a difference in the lives of children by meeting their most basic needs.
Jessica and her husband, Ryan, were blessed on April, 2008 with their first daughter, Katelyn.
Michelle Wehde Howdeshell, Church & Community Relations
- Michelle Wehde Howdeshell
Michelle Wehde Howdeshell began working for Children's Hope International in 1997 as the Guatemala Program Director. She has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Missouri. Michelle has always had a love for children, being one of seven children herself, and now with twenty-five grandchildren in her family. Her love for international work started after a mission trip to Haiti where she worked in orphanages and homes for dying children. Michelle says, "I remember holding that first baby on my first day in the orphanage; I immediately knew how deep my love for orphans really was!"
In 2003, Michelle turned her attention to Children's Hope's humanitarian aid and our Church and Community Relations. Michelle is the person who answers any of your questions regarding sponsorship and who calls you to become a "Sponsorship Volunteer"!
Michelle states, "Children's Hope International has become a huge part of my life. It is not just a job to me. It is my family, my passion, my heart. I truly believe in our mission and I thank God everyday for giving me such a gift—the gift of being a part of His work!"
Jennifer Newcomb, Communications Coordinator
- Jennifer Newcomb
Jennifer joined the staff of Children’s Hope in winter 2006 to write for the Children’s Hope Newsletter, e-news, and social media. She has most recently joined the Foundation to assist in communications and donor relations. She came to St. Louis from Illinois to complete a BS in Communications and a Writing Certificate at Missouri Baptist University, where she later served in the Office of Public Relations. After pursuing a desire to travel with Doctors without Borders, Jennifer has found within Children’s Hope an avenue to write about both the struggles and the victories of orphaned children worldwide.
Denise Moss, Finance Coordinator
- Denise Moss
Originally an Arkansas native, Denise joined St. Louis and then Children’s Hope in early spring 2006, bringing with her twenty years of accounting experience. Denise is a proud mother of two adult daughters, Lindsey and Jennie, and one wonderful little Yorkie, A.J.
“I am extremely blessed to have a place in an organization whose purpose is making a better life for orphans, whether it is through adoption or through humanitarian aid efforts. The Children’s Hope staff is a tremendous collection of Christian love and talent, all working together for these children.”
Denise handles all income and distribution of funds for the Orphan Sponsorship and Development Aid team.
Ginny Burkhart
- Ginny Burkhart
Ginny began working for Children’s Hope in April 2001, 7 months after returning home from China with our daughter Andrea.
When she saw strong Children's Hope families adopting children with special needs, her fears melted and her heart softened. In 2002, Ginny and her husband adopted their son Michael from China, a 7-year-old waiting child with a special need. In 2003, Ginny adopted her second "waiting child", Liana. Although Liana wears a leg prosthesis, she is a talented gymnast and has begun competing this fall!
"All through the years I have worked in various capacities for Children’s Hope. It’s been a true blessing for me. My latest endeavor has been coordinating our awesome family volunteers through our CHAPs program, which I’ve had the privilege of doing for the past three years. Coming on board with the Foundation is my newest opportunity and one that I am truly grateful for!"
Ginny has earned her Associates of Applied Science degree in Graphic Communication and has brought 25 years of office experience.
