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KACS

Meet

The Team

Leah M. Reynolds, M.S.P.L.

Chief Executive Officer Emeritus

Leah Reynolds began leading KACS as Executive Director in July 2019. She holds a Master of Science in Professional Leadership with a focus on non-profits and a B.A. in Legal Studies. Leah has more than 25 years of successful experience leading both small and complex nonprofit organizations, developing initiatives that have led to transformative change. She has also been a life-long volunteer assisting people in recovery from addiction and those facing issues of poverty. Her passion is to create collaborative relationships in order to build up communities so they, in turn, can build up the people in them. This has been a career as well as personal pursuit.

Carrie H. Freeman

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Carrie Freeman served as Executive Director of Tick Tock Early Learning Center for 10 years, followed by 20 years as CEO of United Way of Southern Chester County. Throughout her career, Carrie has been deeply committed to serving our community, working to ensure everyone has access to the support and resources they need. Now retired from her longtime leadership at United Way, Carrie is honored to step into the voluntary role of Interim CEO at KACS. She brings with her a deep understanding of local needs, a passion for equity, and a lifelong dedication to helping others. Carrie is proud to support KACS’s mission of meeting every person with respect, compassion, and a helping hand.

Cheryl R. Miles

Community Housing Development Director

Cheryl R. Miles MSW joined the KACS Team in Oct 2022. As the Community Housing Development Director, she assists the management team in developing, planning, organizing, and directing activities associated with KACS’s CHDO (Community Housing Development Organization). Cheryl has worked in the social service field at different levels for many years serving the most vulnerable population. She also serves on The Fund for Women and Girls of Chester County Board of Directors, Chester County Community Collaborative Board of Directors, Chester County Bridging Coalition, and Black Women of Chester County in Action.

Yajayra Nunez

Development Director

Before joining KACS, Yajayra worked as a Case Manager at YoungMoms, and as the HR Assistant at LCH Health and Community Services. Her role is focused on supporting the operations, people, and overall mission of KACS as they serve the needs of the community. She attended Kutztown University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

Clark Davis

Community Education Director

Clark joined KACS February of 2023 as the Bridges out of Poverty Program Director. He is responsible for overseeing and facilitating programs under the Bridges out of Poverty model like Getting Ahead, Staying Ahead and Financial Empowerment. Before working at KACS, he worked for four years as a bilingual caseworker and program coordinator in Southern Chester County and taught high school Spanish for seven years in Delaware. Clark has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Spanish Language and Literatures from the University of Delaware.

Kecia Crowl

Communications & Engagement Director

Kecia Crowl joined the KACS Team in June 2022. As the Communications & Engagement Director, she is responsible for developing and executing clear marketing, communication, and community engagement strategies to increase KACS visibility. Kecia has worked with other non-profit organizations including the Kennett Library, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Delaware Community Foundation, and Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society.

Elizabeth Flores

Program Director

Elizabeth joined the KACS team in October 2017 as the Housing Stability Case Manager. She then transitioned to conducting intakes and working with individuals and families who are experiencing early stages of instability, assisting with rental, utility, and other types of assistance that may be needed. In January, 2024, she was promoted to Program Director. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work from LaSalle University and has experience in supporting families and individuals in crisis, with a concentration on immigrant families.

Nancy Tapia

Participant Advocate Administrator

Nancy joined the KACS staff in 2017 and is bilingual. As Participant Advocate in the Food Cupboard, Nancy is responsible for participant registrations and communications, as well as data collection and the assessment of participant needs. Nancy also assists the Emergency Assistance Program through referrals and support as well as KACS public relations efforts.

Sheila Eames

Bookkeeper

Sheila joined KACS in April 2021 as the Bookkeeper. Sheila has 20+ years of experience in all functions of bookkeeping and accounting. Sheila will make sure KACS maintains its tax-exempt status, keep track of funding and make sure we’re compliant with ever-changing regulations. She is committed to helping KACS use the donations we receive to make the biggest possible impact.

Lily Rodriguez

Systems Administrator

Lily joined KACS in October of 2020 in a temporary, part-time role. In August 2021 she became the Information Management Specialist and in 2023 she was promoted to Systems Administrator. Lily's work focuses on data across various software solutions. She studied Information Technology at Pierce College and is currently pursuing an Accounting Degree at Wilmington University.

Gonzalo Cano

Emergency Assistance Advocate

Gonzalo joined KACS in December 2017 as a bilingual Emergency Assistance Case Manager. Gonzalo works with individuals and families who are experiencing early stages of instability, assisting with rental, utility and other types of assistance that may be needed.

Rebecca Villanueva

Housing Stability Advocate

Rebecca joined the KACS team in August 2024 as the Housing Stability Advocate. Rebecca provides case management to families and individuals to prevent housing instability. Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Social Work from New Mexico State University.

Johana Perez

Emergency Assistance Advocate

Johana joined KACS in August, 2024 as an Emergency Assistance Advocate. She has been working with community members for the past 7 years, supporting people and providing assistance with housing emergencies including support with rent, utility, as well as homeless prevention services and providing resources.

Yvonne Rodriguez

Data Entry Clerk

Yvonne joined KACS in June of 2022 as a fulltime data entry clerk. She spent 24 years in social work, although she took a hiatus to pursue personal goals, her heart remains in the service of community.

Delaney Marin-Tapia

Emergency Assistance Program Assistant

Delaney joined KACS as a volunteer and then an intern via the Garage Community and Youth Center's Career Compass program in March 2020. Delaney has assisted the Food Cupboard and began working with the Emergency Assistance team as a bilingual administrative assistant, providing support with the multitude of weekly requests KACS receives. Delaney is a 2020 graduate of Kennett High School and is currently enrolled at West Chester University.

Mariana Calderon

Front Office Coordinator

Mariana Calderon first came to KACS as a participant and joined the Getting Ahead programs in 2021. She then became a paid facilitator of Getting Ahead in 2022. The following year, she took part in KACS Financial Empowerment workshop and qualified for the Savings Match Program. In April 2024 she joined the KACS staff full-time as the Front Office Coordinator.