Board of Directors

Mikayla Thomas, Chair
Seek the Horizon Travels owner, Mikayla, is passionate about helping move the Center forward and creating a sustainable future so we can continue sharing the Gospel. She is dedicated to serving the Lord and living a life that is pleasing to Him as a mom and friend. As Board Chair, Mikayla helps lead the board’s governance while providing oversight and direction for the organization.
John Thompson, Vice Chair
John is a semi-retired psychologist and serves as Vice Chair of our board. He is also the only original board member still actively serving after more than 26 years. In his role, John participates on the Board of Directors and executive committee while also serving as support and backup for the Board Chair when needed.
John was invited to join the board by the Center’s founder, Paula Mayberry, who was serving as District Superintendent for the United Methodist Church at the time. He considers the Center a blessing both to the community and to his own life, and is passionate about the Body of Christ working inter-denominationally to support and safeguard the lives and aspirations of God’s children of all ages.
Steph McCarty, Secretary
Steph is a real estate agent who serves on the executive board and helps record and maintain board meeting minutes. She loves being part of an organization that meets the needs of children and families within one community.Steph is passionate about people — getting to know them, seeing them, and walking alongside them however she can. Whether through real estate, family, friendships, or the broader community, she values building meaningful relationships and supporting others.
Lynn Morales, Treasurer
Lynn retired in 2025 as the Finance Director of a nonprofit agency and now serves as our Board Treasurer. In her role, she actively participates on the board while helping bring awareness to the Center’s finances to support long-term sustainability.
Seeing the impact the 14th & Chestnut Center has on the lives of children inspired Lynn to join the board. She is passionate about family and supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference in the community.
email: [email protected]
Terry Clark, Member
Terry serves as pastor at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and as a senior instructor in the Department of History at Indiana State University. As a board member, he attends meetings, offers guidance and suggestions, and supports programming wherever he can.
Terry joined the board through recruitment and through the existing relationship between the Center and his wife’s school, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School. He is passionate about serving underrepresented and economically disadvantaged families while helping connect them to Christ and a supportive community.
Casey Dust- Waywood, Member
Casey is a Next Gen Special Needs Director, that is passionate about advocating for children and families and learning how to best support the needs of the community through her role on the board. Casey was inspired to join our board because of her appreciation for organizations that not only meet tangible needs, but also provide mentorship, compassion, and love to children.
Casey is especially passionate about ensuring all children, regardless of physical ability, cognitive ability, socioeconomic status, age, or other circumstances, have equal access to opportunities that enrich their lives in meaningful ways.
Garien Woods, Member
Garien is a school counselor in Vigo County and also coaches track & field and basketball. As a general board member, he actively supports the Center’s mission through fundraising efforts and by helping create opportunities for community connection, exposure, and support for the organization.
As a former intern from 2010–2014, Garien credits his experience at the Center as a major influence on his passion for youth services. He is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape his “why.” Garien is passionate about spending time with family, counseling youth, helping young people develop healthy coping strategies, public speaking, writing music, and coaching young athletes.

​Center Staff:

Connor Scanlon, Executive Director
As Executive Director of 14 & Chestnut, Connor oversees many behind-the-scenes responsibilities including fundraising, community relations, programming, and building projects. Connor fell in love with the Center’s mission during college and is passionate about pouring into the lives of youth and their families to help strengthen their personal and spiritual lives in Christ. He has been part of the Center’s growing story for nearly 10 years.
Karsen Boyce, Director of Operations
Karsen helps oversee our food pantry and supports daily operations throughout the Center, including the food program, children’s programming, and ensuring students are cared for in whatever way they need. During her internship, she saw firsthand the impact the Center has on the lives of students, which inspired her to continue serving after graduation.
​Karsen is passionate about creating a safe and positive environment where students can navigate emotions, frustrations, and personal challenges in healthy ways. She strives to support the emotional and social well-being of our youth by helping them better understand their emotions while encouraging and building them up.
​Laresha Johnson, Director of Programming
Laresha has served at the Center since 2016, beginning as an intern and spending several years working directly with students in a variety of roles. Through those experiences, she developed a strong passion for supporting the youth in our community and being part of the solution for their overall wellness and growth. Having served as a student participant, intern, and now leader, Laresha brings a unique perspective to her role. As Program Director, she oversees program planning, curriculum development, intern leadership, staff training, and the coordination of special events and activities.
​Jeanie Edinburgh, Administrative Assistant
Jeanie’s heart is centered on meeting the needs of our students and families while sharing God’s light, word, and purpose through her work. In addition to handling daily office responsibilities, reports, calls, and communications, she also founded a Mothers Support Group that provides community and Bible study for moms connected to the Center.
For 25 years, Miss Jeanie has faithfully served the Center and its mission, building meaningful relationships with supporters, families, staff, and students alike. Whether serving as a receptionist, mentor, listening ear, or helping wherever needed, she continues to be a steady and caring presence for everyone who walks through our doors.
​Tracy Batchler, Housekeeper
Tracy is our dedicated housekeeper and works hard to keep our building safe, clean, and welcoming for the students and staff who learn and grow here each day. She had always wanted to learn more about the Center, and once she was given the opportunity to become part of it, she was hooked. Tracy especially loves antiques and enjoys helping clean and restore our historic building.
Caregiving has always been a part of Tracy’s life, beginning with babysitting in her younger years and continuing through a 31-year career as a registered nurse in psychiatric nursing. As a breast cancer survivor, Tracy now prioritizes giving back and serving others and showing compassion and care in everything she does.
​Sabrina Kennedy, Grumbling Tummies Café
Miss Sabrina serves as our kitchen staff, where she plans, prepares, cooks, and serves healthy meals to our students while ensuring we follow the Indiana Department of Education’s food service guidelines. She is passionate about baking, gardening, and self-sustainability, and hopes to share basic kitchen and life skills with young adults.
After first volunteering in the kitchen with the nudge of her daughter, Sabrina quickly became part of the Center family. She loves cooking for our youth, encouraging them to try new foods, and finding creative ways to sneak in healthy stuff along the way.
​Ann Scanlon, Grumbling Tummies Café
Miss Ann serves as our second kitchen staff member after first joining us as a volunteer. She stepped in to help while another cook was out and quickly became an important part of our team. Her role includes helping plan, prepare, and serve healthy meals to our students.
Miss Ann is passionate about her “retirement job” and brings encouragement to the Center each day through positive affirmations, warm smiles, and plenty of hugs when needed.
​Kendra Scanlon, Grant Coordinator
Kendra began serving at the Center in 2012 as a summer intern while attending Indiana State University and has continued in several roles since. Throughout the years, her passion for the Center’s mission has remained constant. Kendra helps manage the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant while also identifying, applying for, and overseeing additional grant opportunities and funded projects.
She is passionate about supporting children and families facing challenging circumstances, including those impacted by foster care, poverty, and limited access to resources. Kendra believes every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported by a community that recognizes their potential.