40 years ago, our mission was shaped by our early board. They shared a passion for helping families struggling with alcoholism and chemical dependency.
As we evolved into a comprehensive mental health agency, our boards have given of themselves and used their God-given blessings to help meet every new challenge. New Leaf is grateful to God for blessing our organization through uniquely skilled and passionate individuals.

Tim is a resident of Dyer, Indiana and is married to Kim. They have two children, Sydney and Tyler. Sydney graduated from Ball State University and is working in Indianapolis, and Tyler attends Illiana Christian High School.
They are members of Bethel Church in Lansing, Illinois where Tim has served as chairman of the deacons, a cadet counselor, tech director, and on both the property team and vision team. He is currently the finance and facilities director. Tim has also served as the president of the board at Second Life Resale Shoppe in Crown Point. He currently serves on the Illiana Foundation Board, and as treasurer of Classis Illiana of the Christian Reformed Church.
Tim owns C&T Lawn and Landscape. He started it in 1993 with a partner to help pay for college. Tim found his life's passion and after college, continued to build the business to what it is today.
Tim was a client at New Leaf Resources and saw the value in the Christian counseling he received, so when asked to serve on the board he readily agreed. He included in his statement, "I am honored to help this great organization continue to provide hope, help, and healing to all those that need it".

Mary Boonstra is a retired Certified Public Accountant and serves as the Board Treasurer. She
is married to Peter Boonstra, and they have four adult children, one of whom is married. Mary
grew up in the Chicago area, and has lived in South Dakota, New Jersey, and Michigan before
returning to the area 24 years ago.
Now that Mary is retired, she fills her time with volunteering and mission trips. She and her
husband have recently chaperoned groups of high school students on trips to Uganda and the
Dominican Republic. She also enjoys reading, taking walks, and playing board games with her
family.
Mary has been a client at New Leaf Resources and later became a board member. She values
the organization’s Christian perspective on counseling and is honored to be a part of working for
the Kingdom in this way.

Thriesa Hubers is a retired teacher who has found a niche filling in gaps as a volunteer. Hailing from Alberta, Canada, she met her husband at Dordt College, taught for 2 ½ years in Liberia, and settled in DeMotte more than forty years ago. They enjoy spending time with their six children, five in-laws, and twenty-four grandchildren.
Thriesa enjoys worshiping through music, especially playing keys, piano, or organ on Community Church’s Praise team. She teaches high school Sunday School, loves to cook for crowds, and dabbles in creative arts like writing, textiles, and pottery. Friday afternoons find her leading a “What’s Your Story?” workshop at the local retirement center.
She loves the Lord, loves life, and lives to the fullest.

Ryan Davids is a resident of Crown Point, Indiana. He and his wife Rachel have three children, Zachary, Noah, and Matthew. Zachary is a freshman at Indiana University. Noah and Matthew are currently at Illiana Christian High School. They are members of Faith Church’s Cedar Lake Campus.
Ryan has a BS in Business and Accounting as well as an MBA in Finance, both from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington. He began his career as a CPA in public accounting at KPMG in Chicago. He has since served as a CFO, controller, and executive for a variety of different entities, primarily in the food and transportation industries. Ryan co-founded a software and transportation support company which he has recently sold. Throughout his career, Ryan has served on a variety of boards in addition to creating his own non-profit.
Ryan and his family understand, firsthand, the need for Christian counseling resources. Ryan considers it an honor to serve in this ministry.

Dr. Kathryn Huls was raised on a farm in Northwest Indiana. She attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she met her husband, Jack. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida and completed her internship year at LaRabida Children's Hospital in Chicago. While raising 3 amazing sons, now all married to wonderful Christian women, she worked in hospitals, schools, and most recently, a clinic setting.
Dr. Huls was recruited by a former director to ‘moonlight’ at New Leaf to provide supervision, conduct psychological evaluations, and see a few therapy clients through 2021.
It is now Dr. Huls' privilege to serve on the board of New Leaf, where she is thankful to be surrounded by a strong group of humble, talented leaders committed to the ministry.
Dr. Huls and her husband are members of Bethel Church in Crown Point. They enjoy leading a (very large) small group, spending time at Gun Lake with family, and walks enjoying God's beautiful creation.

Neil Zandstra is in his 24th year as a school counselor at Illiana Christian High School. He previously taught 5th grade at Highland Christian School. He has fond memories getting to know many students and cherishes the relationships he has made with them over the years. He is a graduate of Calvin University with a psychology and education degree, and received his MA at Purdue Northwest in school counseling.
He and his wife Johanna live in Schererville, Indiana. She works for Providence Life Services. They are members of Faith Dyer Campus, where they enjoy the preaching, music, and relationships they've developed there. They have one adult son, James Zandstra, who currently lives and works in Washington D.C. for a House of Representatives member as his Legislative Director.
"I hope to add wisdom where I can to the counseling staff and give positive encouragement to all who work at NLR. New Leaf has personally helped my family through challenging times, and I have used them as a resource for students from Illiana Christian over the years."

Judy has been involved with New Leaf Resources' ministry since the very beginning, when it was called ‘Christian Care Center’. Her late husband, Marty was one of its founders. She was also part of an intervention team through Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, and has now served as a board member since 2020.
Judy believes in the importance of encouraging people to find help through Christian counseling when things aren't going well.

Jayne grew up in the Detroit, MI area. She attended Calvin College where she met her husband Roger Boer, who grew up in DeMotte, IN. Jayne and Roger married after graduating from Calvin, and have lived in DeMotte ever since, attending First DeMotte CRC.
Jayne worked with young people for 30 years of aiding and teaching at DeMotte Christian School, and has come to see the many challenges facing young people today - including dysfunctional homes, emotional and disability challenges, and attacks on Christian values. Jayne believes New Leaf is a great resource for students struggling with these and many other challenges. Having watched Roger go through some very difficult health battles over the past year and a half has reminded her of the importance of having a place to go to receive professional counseling from a fellow Christian.
Jayne’s desire to serve God in whatever way He calls her is her greatest qualification to be on the Board of New Leaf. Her desire to help people and skill for organization are other strengths that she believes to be useful.
Jayne and Roger have 3 children, two married daughters and a son who is getting married in the spring of 2025. They have 4 grandchildren who fill them with delight.

Kristen Rappold and her husband reside in Crown Point along with their two sons. Their oldest is a junior at Arizona State University, and youngest is a senior at Illiana Christian High School. Their family attends Bethel Church in Crown Point. They have lived in Northwest Indiana for 25 years.
Kristen grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from Calvin University. Her master’s degree and Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology are both from the University of South Florida in Tampa. She has worked as a school psychologist for over 25 years, primarily at the elementary level.
She has had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees and Education Committee at Crown Point Christian School as well as the Parents Involved in Education (PIE) Board at Illiana Christian High School. Kristen has also served within Children's Ministry at Bethel Church and at her previous church.
“I look forward to serving alongside other talented individuals at New Leaf Resources. Through my professional and personal experiences, I have seen the significance of mental health for individuals of all ages. I value the Christian perspective and resources offered for individuals, families, and churches at New Leaf and believe that mental health services, along with God's love and grace, can provide healing to hurting and broken situations.”
Previous Board Members
Rev. Cal Aardsma
Marilyn Anderson
Jim Benes
Bruce Bere
Ken Blauw
Clarence Boersma
Lois Boonstra
Hal Brown
Angela Buikema
Trenice Bulthuis
Bruce Buursma
Rev. Dr. Leroy Childress
Russ Clousing
Kari Coffer
Dr. Arlo Compaan
Ken Cooper
Ken Cowan
Jack Davids
Jim Davids
Clarence Deckinga
Gerald Decker
Donna DeGraff
Dr. Alex DeJong
Rev. Alexander DeJong
Ralph DeJong
Hets DeRose
Liz Dorn
Dr. Marty Doot
Lisa Doot Abinoja
Chris Dykstra
Gene Eeningenburg
Jack Elzinga
Tim Eriks
Bud Fennema
Glen Fiala
George Gabrielse
Claire Griffith
Dr. Rick Hamilton
Donna Hamstra
Elsie Hannenburg
Tanya Harper
Jan Hoekstra
Pat Hoekstra
James Hofman
Robert Honig
Case Hoogendoorn
Lisa Hooker
Pete Huizenga
Mary Ideran
Dr. Mike Ideran
LaVerne Jordan
Dr. Dan Kallemeyn
Betty Kerkstra
Dr. Betty Klassens
Jeff Klein
Dean Koldenhoven
Deb Koster
Mary Koster
Shari Krajewski
Tad Lagastee
Clarence Laning
Dave Larsen
Bev Lich
Dick Lubbers
David Mackinnon
Marc Martinez
Ryan Matthysse
Liz Metcalfe
Carol Moxey-Mesman
Beverly Nelson
Rev. John Ouwinga
Tom Ottenhoff
Hilda Ozinga
Michael Reagan
Stephanie Rodriquez
Dave Rosendale
Rev. Joel Sheeres
Dave Schuuman
Brian Smith
Cheryl Smithgall
Marianne Tigchelaar
Ralph Troller
Donald Toby
Kathy Toby
Donald Van Beek
Jean Vanbeek
Ken VanDellen
Al VanDenBosch
Burt VanderLaan
Gayle VendeWerken
Bernie VanHowe
Carolynn VanNamen
Thelma Venema
Rev. Gerrit Veenstra
Brenda VenHuizen
Tom Visser
Wayne Vriesman
Cal Walstra
Dr. Fred Wezeman
Denise Williams
Barry Zalane
John Zeilstra
Rev. Joel Zuidema