Jill joined JUMP for Kids (then Kinship of Pella) in 1997 after graduating with an elementary education degree from Central College. She serves as the director for JUMP and is responsible for making and supporting JUMP matches. Her favorite part of the job is meeting new mentors and mentees and she is still excited about the life changing impact of mentoring—for both mentor and mentee. Jill lives in Pella with her husband, Jay, a teacher at Pella High School and their children. The McKinstrey family enjoys mentoring two JUMP for Kids mentees. Jill’s challenge to you: please consider making a difference in the life of a child by becoming a mentor.

Sheryl Hanthorn was part of the advisory team that helped develop the local mentoring organization that is known today as JUMP for Kids.  Sheryl has served as a member of the board since the organization’s foundation in 1989.  Sheryl retired after a 25 year career as a K-8 school counselor for the area Christian Schools.  Through her work she saw first-hand the value and blessing that mentoring provides.  Sheryl’s husband retired in the last few years from the technology field.  They have 3 married children, 9 grandchildren, and the family is continuing to grow through marriages and birth.  Larry and Sheryl enjoy volunteering within their church and community and traveling to meet up with friends and enjoy new adventures.

Nick Kuennen began mentoring in 2006 and has served on the JUMP for Kids board since 2011.  He and his wife, Sarah, live just outside of Pella with their 4 kids: Brynn, Carew, Elle and Wren. Nick works as the CEO of Sincera Health and is currently serving as an elder at Trinity Church.  In his spare time he enjoys spending time outside being active with Sarah and the kids. 

Nick joined JUMP for Kids as a mentor in 2016, and joined the board in 2017. Nick lives in Pella and works at the Pella Middle School as an Academic Support Coach. He also coaches football and track as well at the middle school. Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, Hope, and their daughters Addison and Emeri. They enjoy spending time outside, hiking trails around Lake Red Rock, camping, and anything else they can find to do together as a family. Nick loves sports and watching sports and cheering on his favorite teams the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Northwestern College Red Raiders.

Erin Gaul and her family began mentoring in 2022.  Erin joined the JUMP board in 2024.  Erin and her husband, Kevin, have 3 adult boys -  James, Thomas, and Stephen.  Every member of their family attended or is attending ISU! Erin is the early childhood team lead for St. Mary Church in Pella and enjoys working with the youth of the parish in faith formation and Children’s Liturgy.  In her free time Erin enjoys cooking, crafting, swimming, walking, biking, and spending time with her family putting together puzzles, playing board games, and working on projects in the wood shop.