Children's Lantern

Children's Lantern

A Village of Hope Beyond the System. Luke 9:6

LUAU GALA

Join us for a fun night of music, food, door prizes and so much more! Click below to get more information or to purchase tickets!

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About US

​Children's Lantern began in June of 2011. Tim Tracy and his wife, Jill, were taking part in a global orphan conference that summer and with time away to learn about Adoption and Foster Care, Children’s Lantern was birthed in Tim's heart.  With him taking all the proper steps, that summer our 501(c)3 paperwork was filed with the government, and a board of directors was chosen. By fall, Adam and Alyssa Tracy were brought on to run the day to day operations as the administrative directors with a launch date of January 1, 2012. Along with awareness, fundraising began to help resource organizations working on the front lines.  Originally founded in Defiance, Ohio, Children's Lantern has already served more than the six counties surrounding Defiance. We have served in five other countries: Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, and Uganda.  

 

"Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices." Hebrews 13:16

 In 2019 Children's Lantern narrowed the organization's focus to serve locally in Defiance and its surrounding counties. Narrowing the focus has increased the effectiveness of Children's Lantern to better serve foster, kinship and adoptive families, aged out foster youth, and victims of human trafficking right here in our community. 

Make A Donation

100% of your monthly donation goes directly to providing resources and services to foster and adoptive families, kinship families, and the Lantern Lofts Program.

Meet the Team

  • Steve Heilshorn

    Executive Director

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  • Tonya Briseno

    Family Care Coordinator

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  • Courtney Rittenhouse

    Transitional Care Coordinator

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  • Chris Silliman

    Chief Financial Officer

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  • Marissa Rosario

    Marketing and Communications Director

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  • "Children's Lantern and their Outreach has Impacted our family and many families just like ours. From Clothing and Weighted Blankets to worship sessions at retreat, the impact of this organization is significant."

    The Bordall Family

  • "Children's Lantern has helped our family in multiple ways over the years. Hope House Boutique had given items for our foster, adopted, and kinship kids and also hosting fun events that include them, like the Back to School Bash with School supplies! Not to mention the connections and friendships made with some pretty awesome people! A true blessing to this community and especially the littles that need our support."

    Local Foster/Adoptive Mother