The goal that Justin and Tamara are leading TEF towards, as it grows, is to provide much needed resources in the “special needs” community. Educational advocacy, counseling and special needs ministry resources are among the priorities of TEF as it grows. Critical to the need of any community is the local church. We are endeavoring to make the local church a focal point of support and foundation for any family that we are blessed with the opportunity to serve. Churches need not, have a "special needs program," just people who love Jesus and are willing to extend that love and fellowship to someone in need.

Justin and Tamara can be reached via email at Justin.Reimer@TheElishaFoundation.org

Director and Vice-Chairman, Chris Wick.

Chris and his wife Ashley have been involved with TEF since January of 2008. Chris and Ashley are the proud parents of Tahlia, Mikaela, Braden and Karsten. Chris and Ashley are graduates of The Master's College and worked for Sunshine Child Care & Learning Centers and Legacy Private Academy in Southern California for five years. They have hearts for ministry and particularly for children. Chris currently works as a police detective in Redmond, Oregon, and was formerly a police officer with LAPD.

The Wick's were asked to be a part of TEF due to their sincere desire to serve families of people with special needs and to help TEF grow in its outreach abilities. They are deeply involved in the planning, praying, and support of TEF and help with maintaining and promoting the vision for the ministry.

Chris and Ashley will be heading out to begin a work in Slovenia in the very near future. We anticipate their work there will be critical to the Reach aspect of TEF's work. We are excited for what is in store for them!

Chris and Ashley can be reached via email at Chris.Wick@TheElishaFoundation.org

Director and Secretary, Cynthia White.

Cynthia has been with TEF since the initial concepts for the ministry started taking shape. Cynthia brings a wealth of health care education and experience as well as a vast business acumen. Her depth of love for children is evident in her involvement in various children's ministries and charities.

In the past Miss White has worked as Assistant to the Dean of the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Riverside. She has also taught management and human relations classes for the University of Phoenix. Her MBA carries a specialty in Health Care Management, her BS is in Vocational Education, and her AA is in Paralegal Studies. She has served on the boards of Secret Pal Angel Volunteers (an all volunteer group working with the frail and elderly in San Diego) and the Garden Grove Symphony in Orange County. Miss White is active in her church choir, enjoys sewing and other handcrafts, and can usually be found acting as an aunt or grandmother to one child or another in her life.

Cynthia can be reached via email at Cynthia.White@TheElishaFoundation.org

Matt has been married to his wife Heidi for over 12 years. She is a Registered Nurse, but is currently at home full time with their 3 children. They reside in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Matt has a passion for helping non-profits and is very thankful for the opportunity to serve with The Elisha Foundation.

Director and Financial, James Dirksen.

 James is the proud father of six children and the husband of Dana. Dana writes children's music based on the Westminster
 Catechism with their ministry Songs for Saplings.

 James brings an accomplished entrepreneurial background as a business owner in the software industry and is now employed by Symantec.

We recognize the need to encourage families who are caring for these special people. Our family retreats provide a balanced schedule of workshops and activities for the family, as well as for each individual, while providing a refreshing and fun environment for the entire family.

The objective of our Respite, Retreat and Reach is to provide focused times of educating and resource, along with group activities and couple activities. These times also provide opportunity for family character development. Principles, which are critical to the character of every individual and family, are emphasized, with the hope of continued growth and development of these attributes in the lives of these specially gifted families.

We are eager to reach out to families affected by any disability, with particular emphasis on families with special needs children or adults. Our ultimate goal is to equip these special families for a more intimate faith in Christ, passionately lived out with love.

The work of The Elisha Foundation extends through the emphasis of four primary means of ministry - Resource, Respite, Retreat and Reach.

Respite:
Raising a special needs child puts a strain on the family, and often times parents have other children to raise. A time for parents alone, or time set aside with their non-disabled child(ren) is invaluable. The Elisha Foundation provides opportunities for these parents to get that valuable time alone through various events which provide child care. Other means of Respite are available to meet needs that are more specific to an individual families’ needs.

Retreat:
TEF retreats consist of various resource specialists, guest speakers and other resources specific to the needs of each retreat. A well-balanced and limited set of activities for the entire group of guests, as well as for the individual families, will be focused and productive. Additionally, time for parents to retreat alone will be accommodated and encouraged. Through the focus of our staff and the combined experiences of the attendees, each family will gain new insights and refreshment to live life anew.

Reach:
Often times in third world, or former Eastern Block countries, the care for those with disabilities is substandard and negligent. Through the work of small teams of disability resource specialists and medical professionals, The Elisha Foundation aims to make a difference in the lives of children and adults living in languid conditions. Our efforts are focused on establishing indigenous ministries inside these countries to continue the work through local churches and ministries.

For example, the documentary film 'Bulgaria's Abandoned Children'  by Kate Blewett exposed the appalling neglect of 75 unwanted and disabled children in the state-run Mogilino Institute. Efforts by others are working towards improving the conditions for these children and many others in Bulgaria’s orphanages and streets.

In other countries disabled people are often seen as demon-possessed and many are chained to their beds. Their lives are carried out in abject filth and poverty, with no care or compassion.