About Us

Bringing the love and the help of Christ to marginalized neighborhoods through after-school tutoring and mentoring for kids.

Leaven Kids exists to break the cycle of poverty and violence by fighting for change where it matters most, with children.

 We plant learning centers directly in high-risk neighborhoods, bringing opportunity and hope right to a child’s doorstep.

At no cost to families, kids in grades K–5 gain daily access to tutoring, mentoring, and encouragement from caring adults who show up with consistency and heart. With this support, children build the skills, confidence, and vision to thrive, not just in school, but in life. And as kids rise, neighborhoods become safer, stronger, and full of possibility.

Our Programs

Learning Centers

Right where kids live, change begins.

Our centers inside apartment communities give kids daily homework support, one-on-one tutoring, and mentoring—removing barriers like cost and transportation.

Learning Center Locations

Learning Centers

California

Calms

91 Riverview

Ter Benicia, CA 94510

Groves Apartments

855 E Tabor Ave 

Fairfield, CA 94533

Village Apartments

506 Civic Center Blvd Suisun, CA 94585

Carolina Heights

135 Carolina St 

Vallejo, CA 94590

Summit Place

1130 W 4th St 

Ontario, CA 91762

Eden Housing

1121 & 1140 Virginia Ln Concord, CA 94520

Phoenix Drive

1350 Phoenix Dr 

Fairfield, CA 94533

Alamo Gardens

1501 Alamo Dr 

Vacaville, CA 95687

Longshore Cove

201 Maine St 

Vallejo, CA 94590

Dana Drive

1180 Dana Dr 

Fairfield, CA 94533

Signature

1189 Tabor Ave 

Fairfield, CA 94533

East Monte Vista

1020 E Monte Vista Ave Vacaville, CA, 95688

Sereno Village

750 Sereno Dr 

Vallejo, CA 94589

Grande Circle

1970 Grande Cir 

Fairfield, CA 94533

Stoddard West

345 Gasser Dr 

Napa, CA 94559

Mariposa Neighborhood

1625 Alamo Dr 

Vacaville, CA 95687

Norman King

545 Magazine St 

Vallejo, CA 94590

TEXAS

Riverside

515 Riverside Dr 

San Antonio, TX 78223

Westway

5627 Culebra Rd 

San Antonio, TX 78228

Leadership

Leaven Kids Leadership

Mark Lillis

Chief Executive Officer

Mark Lillis has dedicated his career to helping children reach their full potential. His journey began in Santa Barbara, where he founded a summer camp program at Las Positas Park and later served in local government, leading youth and community initiatives. Driven by a deep commitment to children and families, Mark went on to help establish Leaven Kids, where he now serves as Chief Executive Officer. Through after-school tutoring centers, the Summer Success program, and volunteer-driven initiatives, he and his team create safe, supportive spaces where kids can thrive. With the partnership of a dedicated board, staff, and volunteers, Mark continues to expand Leaven Kids’ reach, transforming neighborhoods one child at a time. Mark holds a bachelor’s degree from Westmont College and a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. He and his wife, Melinda, live in California with their son, Hudson. Outside of work, Mark enjoys running, reading, traveling, drinking coffee, and spending time with friends and family.

Renee Tadlock

Chief Operating Officer

Renee Tadlock has a passion for community outreach that shines brightly as the Chief Operating Officer for Leaven Kids, purposefully leading and training a team of individuals working toward the common goal of instilling hope into the lives of our youth. She is dedicated to the mission of Leaven Kids to empower these communities by providing influential mentors who will invest in the academic, moral, and spiritual foundations of children and their families. Renee Tadlock, is part of an entire family that shares her commitment to engage the whole community in coming together to resource underserved neighborhoods.

Ida Somero

Chief Development Officer

Ida Somero holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Loyola Marymount University, where she attended on a full-ride athletic scholarship for Women’s Basketball. She was a leader in retail management at Target for over 15 years before entering the non-profit aren, where she gained firsthand knowledge of how an integrated approach can maximize donor engagement. As Chief Development Officer, Ida brings over 18 years of development experience to the team. Having a deep personal commitment to advancing the lives of underserved children, Ida has shaped the fundraising initiatives of Leaven Kids. Additionally, she brings a breadth of event-driven fundraising experience to the table as an independent contractor, where she has managed and produced many successful events. A CFRE, she is also a member of Associate Fundraising Professionals.

Marina Kovalev

Chief Financial Officer

Marina Kovalev, a California-licensed CPA with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, has been working with Leaven Kids as the Controller and CFO since 2012. Prior to coming to Leaven Kids, she focused on auditing nonprofits and property management companies. Marina prides herself in keeping clean financial records and using the latest accounting technology to keep moving Leaven Kids forward. Being an immigrant herself and utilizing many resources to get ahead in elementary school, she understands the huge value Leaven Kids plays in the lives of the children and parents who might not be able to assist their kids with their schoolwork.

Board of Directors

Chief Joe Allio

President

Police Chief, City of Fairfield (ret)

Chief Joe Allio is a 34-year veteran of law enforcement. He has also served in pastoral positions at local churches, was a member of the Host Lions Club and the President of the Northern California Batten Disease Association. As a member of the Fairfield Police Department, he served on the SWAT team, was a founding member of the Peer Support Team, participated in the development of “active shooter” response training and developed and implemented the Police Probation Team. He has earned two Exceptional Performance Citations and completed Senior Management Law Enforcement Institute hosted by Boston University.

Gen. Maryanne Miller

Vice President

Air Mobility Commander, United States Air Force (ret)

General Maryanne Miller is a retired 4-star U.S. Air Force General with over 39 years of military service. In her career, she has led two Major Commands and is the only Reserve Officer in the history of the United States to achieve the rank of General to-date.

General Miller has extensive experience in rapid, global mobility and sustainment as the Commander of Air Mobility Command and the Commander of the Air Force Reserve. As the Air Component for U.S. Transportation Command, General Miller was responsible for directing global air mobility operations in support of national security objectives. Her commands played a pivotal role in providing global airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation, humanitarian relief and Presidential airlift support as directed.

General Miller serves on the Board of Directors of Bristow, an advisor to New Vista Acquisition Corp., and a member of the Board of Trustees for Manhattan College in the Bronx, New York. She is also a co-worker for St. Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity serving some of the poorest communities around the world.

General Miller was drawn to Leaven Kids because it is a powerful agent for good through faith, hope and love. Leaven Kids transforms lives, families, and communities to realize the power of good within us so that we can transform the environment around us.

Chief Ian Schmutzler

Treasurer

Police Chief, City of Vacaville

Captain Ian Schmutzler started with the Vacaville Police Department in 2000 and quickly rose through the ranks to oversee the Field Support Bureau. He began working with Leaven Kids as a volunteer in 2015. As a police captain who has seen first-hand the kinds of challenges under-privileged children face, Ian is thrilled to be a member of the Leaven Kids board and to be making a difference. “I’ve been able to see the incredible results of Leaven Kids entering a neighborhood,” Ian says. “… a dramatic drop in crime, a sense of community, and in some of the high-density housing areas the tenancy has gone up.”

Melonie Flavin

Director

Giving & Programs, Corporate Social Responsibility, Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Melonie Flavin has had the pleasure of serving at the corporate offices of Chick-fil-A in Atlanta for over 25 years. She currently is on the Giving and Programs team in Corporate Social Responsibility where she leads the largest gifting platform, the True Inspiration Awards, funding over 300 organizations with $27.4 million dollars since its inception in 2015. She also manages all other philanthropic fulfillment by Chick-fil-A focusing on relationship management.

Her greatest purpose in life is serving others and encouraging them along the way. Melonie, along with her husband, Jeff, have been in some aspect of service for over 35 years. From annual mission trips and house churches to seeking ways to serve in their community to currently fostering to adopt. They are a strong and collaborative team with a huge heart truly believing that loving our neighbor is not a suggestion.

She is a native Atlantan and attended the University of West Georgia with a degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology. Melonie has 5 children and 6 perfect baby grands who call her Sweetie, and 2 of the most perfect dogs in the history of ever.

Col. David Hammerschmidt

Director

United States Air Force (ret)

Col. Dave “Hammer” Hammerschmidt entered the USAF as an Airman Basic in 1989 and retired in 2020 as a Group Commander at Travis Air Force Base. Colonel Hammerschmidt is currently a project manager for PavCon LLC. He was initially drawn to Leaven Kids to demonstrate to young Airmen that they are leaders in the communities where they serve, and they have the ability to inspire and motivate young children to dream bigger and achieve more.

Frank Lizarraga, Esq.

Director

Attorney, Lizarraga Law Firm

Frank Lizarraga holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of La Verne as well as a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State College of Law. He is a practicing attorney with over 30 years of legal and courtroom experience and has been honored to be a member of the National American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation only peer review organization that recognizes significant litigation experience, civility, integrity, and professionalism. Frank currently serves several client organizations and chairs the Board of Advisors to the University of La Verne’s College of Law and is a member of the university’s Board of Trustees.

Kristan Nowland

Director

Certified Health and Wellness Coach, BSN, RN

Kristan Nowland brings extraordinary depth as an advisor as she has more than 20 years of leadership experience in entrepreneurship and health care operations. Kristan is highly experienced in interacting with health care providers, teaching parents, patients, media, and leaders within the health care community. Her passion continues as she looks to help children and families thrive and flourish, no matter their situation or state in life.

Josh Parker

Director

Owner/Operator, Chick-fil-A Vacaville Commons

Josh Parker, owner/operator of Chick-fil-A Vacaville Commons, has been involved with Leaven Kids since 2020. Prior to Chick-fil-A, Josh brings years of experience working with international non-profit organizations. He is passionate about investing in the next generation and is thrilled to be a part of the Leaven Kids board.

Dan Sharp

Director

CEO, Ironsight

With nearly three decades in the political world, Dan Sharp has become one of the most trusted public affairs and public policy advisors to Fortune 500 corporations, local government agencies, members of congress and large organizations. He has extensive issue area expertise in energy, water, land use, transportation, health care and waste management, and has led more than 200 political and public affairs campaigns with great success. He serves as CEO of Ironsight, a national public affairs firm; as Senior Advisor to Datum Tech, a data and digital company; and as a Venture Partner with Austin, Texas-based SputnikATX.

Dan served as Chief of Staff to then-Congressman Doug Ose (R-CA), Chair of the House Government Oversight Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He also worked in the California State Senate and as a Research Fellow at the Claremont Institute. He is also a former planning commission chairman, Farm Bureau board member and an active volunteer in his community. He is married to Amy Sharp, an elected member of the Solano County Board of Education and Advisor to Solano County Supervisor Mitch Mashburn. They live in Vacaville, California and have two grown sons.

Robert Yarbrough

Director

Complex Manager, Valero Energy Corporation (ret)

Robert Yarbrough retired from Valero Energy Corporation in 2022 following a 35-year career in the energy industry. Robert held many positions including Operator, Control Board Operator, Shift Superintendent, Unit Team Leader, and Complex Manager during his career. His positive involvement with Leaven Kids as a volunteer and donor has motivated him to join the board to help make an even bigger difference in the community.

Honorary Board Members

Hon. Mike Nail

Emeritus

Superior Court Judge (ret)

Judge Mike Nail is a retired Judge of the Superior Court for the State of California, holding that position for more than two decades. Prior to assuming the bench, he was District Attorney for Solano County for 11 years and Assistant District Attorney for 14 years. Upon his retirement in 2007, Judge Mike Nail wanted to invest his time into helping at-risk children. He was a former member of the Lion's Club and a member and past president of Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife have three children and five grandchildren.