About Us

Caroline Jones, MHA, CASA
President and Founder
President and Founder of Kind to Kids, Caroline expanded the organization from a family venture in 2008 to a nonprofit organization in 2011 that has since served over 18,000 children in foster care and poverty. In 2018, Caroline developed the innovative UGrad Education Academy for children in foster care. The program of excellence achieves outstanding results with a 97% high school graduation rate for foster youth, and a 98% grade promotion rate. Caroline authored KindtoYou, a resource book that helps to prepare teens aging out of foster care for the transition to young adulthood. She has served children in foster care for over 16 years. While working with children who are victims of abuse, trauma and neglect, she learned that they do not have the opportunities, skills, or experiences that children from a stable home receive. She wanted these children to have a basic foundation of support and strategies to help them succeed in life.

Caroline volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) where she has over 16 years of experience testifying in Family Court on their behalf. Prior to Kind to Kids, she was principal and founder of a strategic planning consulting firm specializing in nonprofit organizations such as United Way of Delaware. Previously, Caroline was a Practice Administrator for a large physician group. Early in her career, she enjoyed her work as an intensive care unit nurse at Georgetown Medical Center. Caroline has a Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration, from The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Degree with a minor in psychology from Villanova University.

Committed to children’s causes, Caroline advocates for children via a number agencies and subcommittees related to children’s issues. She is an active public speaker and delivers presentations on child abuse, trauma and child advocacy.

Kind to Kids Foundation began as a Jones family venture in 2008, and the entire family is active in the organization. Caroline’s husband, Mark, is an advisor and active board member. Her children, Chris and Catherine, are the co-founders of the organization and continue to serve in an advisory capacity to further the misson. Contact Caroline at [email protected].

Christopher Jones and Catherine Jones
Co-Founders

Chris and Catherine are the co-founders and creative spark for Kind to Kids. While at a Delaware sports event, they saw large groups of empty seats around the stadium. They realized the seats were a wasted opportunity and asked, “Why can’t these empty seats be given to children in foster care?” It was a pivotal question – and the start of Kind to Kids. Thanks to their hard work and enthusiasm, Kind to Kids has provided educational programs, life event opportunities and support services to over 18,000 children in foster care and poverty since our founding in 2008.

Chris is instrumental in growing Kind to Kids through strategic initiatives and assists with advancing the mission through effective planning and collaboration with corporations and government agencies. He is manager of corporate strategy and business operations with Instacart. Chris is an Austin Scholar, with an MBA from Kellogg Business School and an undergraduate degree from Villanova University School of Business.

Catherine facilitates our mission advising Kind to Kids on programming and evaluation. Catherine is a Program Coordination Officer with Presencing Institute. She is a Fullbright Scholar, and obtained her master’s degree from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. A graduate of St. Joseph’s University in sociology and international relations, Catherine is a recipient of the Jesuit Honor Society’s prestigious Magis Award.

Letreece Rhodie
UGrad Academy Lead Manager

Letreece effectively manages our signature program, UGrad Academy, for children and youth in foster care. She ensures that students in foster care receive the advocacy, resources and guidance needed to achieve their goals and succeed in school and life. Letreece manages UGrad Academy’s student referrals, advocate caseloads and tutoring services. She collaborates with Division of Family Services social workers and Department of Education officials to facilitate academics and remove barriers to education for our foster students. With a background in family services at DFS, Letreece understands the trauma informed support that children need after experiencing trauma and abuse. She has a degree in Criminal Justice and Women and Gender Studies from Delaware State University. Contact Letreece at [email protected].

Sinchen McDuffy, LPCMH
UGrad Behavioral Health Manager

Sinchen is a licensed professional mental health counselor with extensive experience working with children, youth and families. He is well versed in treatment modalities, and certified in cognitive behavioral health. In addition to advocating for the education of foster students, Sinchen conducts our Transitional Counseling Program, an innovative curriculum that prepares foster youth to succeed in life as young adults with topics such as money management, job readiness, housing, life skills, and much more. He obtained his bachelors degree from Springfield College and master’s degree from Delaware State University. Contact him at [email protected]

Alice Samuel
UGrad Program Manager

Alice is a dedicated manager for UGrad Academy advocates and the students she serves. Alice manages caseloads of foster children and youth in UGrad Academy and provides them with educational advocacy, guidance and support. She has over 8 years of experience in Child Protection and Social Services, with expertise in foster care. Alice effectively ensures that children’s educational, mental, and emotional goals are met. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Delaware State University and dual master’s degrees in human services from Wilmington College and public administration from Texas Southern University. Contact Alice at [email protected].

Ashley Burns
Operations Manager

Ashley productively manages Kind to Kids Foundation’s daily operations and community outreach. She ensures that the organization runs smoothly by managing day to day activities, human resources and special projects. With her experience in event planning, Ashley maximizes community opportunities and value for the children we serve. Ashley obtained her undergraduate degree in Health Behavioral Science from University of Delaware with a minor in Public Health. Contact Ashley at [email protected].

Jeanette DeBright
Grants Manager

Jeanette effectively manages Kind to Kids Foundation’s grant and funding opportunities which support our critical programs for children in need. She collaborates with businesses, corporations and community partners to ensure the organization has the resources needed to serve our community’s most vulnerable children. Jeanette attended University of Delaware and comes to Kind to Kids with nonprofit agency experience and high level management experience in the retail industry. Contact Jeanette at [email protected].

Wendy Hannon
UGrad Academy Advocate

With her training and experience as a teacher, Wendy has the skills to ensure that students in foster care get the education they deserve. She works hard to support them and gives them the support, encouragement and care they need to succeed in the world. Wendy coordinates her efforts and work’s collaboratively with the student’s entire support team. She has a bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from Howard University. Contact Wendy at [email protected].

Izuru Osegbu
UGrad Academy Advocate

Izuru effectively advocates for children in foster care through UGrad Academy. Izuru has extensive experience and skills that she brings to the role. As a former DFS case worker, Izuru worked daily with children who were victims of child abuse and neglect, and understands the government’s role in protecting the children. Izuru has a bachelor’s degree and works hard to impact children’s lives for a bright future with advocacy and the delivery of quality services. Contact Izuru at [email protected].

George Meldrum, Jr.
Legislative Affairs

George advances the mission of Kind to Kids Foundation with his extensive knowledge of legislative affairs and advocacy. He has notable experience in government, nonprofit and legislative issues, previously working at a major healthcare organizatioin as a Senior Policy Analyst. George brings a wealth of knowledge on local, state and federal government strategy to the organization. He has a bachelor’s degree from University of Delaware.

Michael Sullivan, MPH
LifeSkills Instructor

Michael brings a breadth of valuable experience to the role of LifeSkills instructor for at-risk youth. He has worked for Delaware’s Department of Services for Children, Youth and Families for the past 30 years. As the Statewide Services Assistant Regional Administrator, Michael was responsible for the child abuse reporting line and emergency foster care placements for children. He has a bachelors degree from University of West Chester and a masters degree from Wilmington University. His extensive experience provides valuable expertise of the foster students and at-risk youth that we serve.

Henry Tucker, MSW
LifeSkills Instructor

Henry is an engaging, effective instructor who educates students in group foster homes with cognitive behavioral therapeutic training. Henry is a behavioral health counselor and social worker who teaches children who have experienced trauma to learn healthy ways of coping. Henry is a shining example of someone who overcame great obstacles to succeed in the world and make a difference. He obtained his bachelors degree from Elizabethtown College and masters degree from Widener University.

Board Officers