About us
Our Team
Steven L Henderson, CPM is a retired Medical Device Product Development professional with over 35 years in industry and contributed to the release of hundreds of innovative products to improve patient care from Orthopedic implants to Cardiovascular Surgical instrumentation. His experiences range from building-up Start-up businesses to supporting efforts at Fortune 50 companies. Steve is currently a Program Director and Board Member of another Cincinnati based nonprofit organization who create free custom solutions for people with disabilities. He also continues to remain active providing mentorship to University of Cincinnati Engineering Students towards their professional development.
Brian A. Dickerson
Brian A. Dickerson is a retired police lieutenant from California. During his twenty-eight year career as a peace officer he held a myriad of assignments which were focused around the mental health related disciplines. Those assignments included; mental health community officer, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) liaison, mental health team supervisor, crisis negotiations team supervisor/manager, and department peer support team co-founder/manager. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice from California State University Hayward.
Babu Gupta, MD
Babu Gupta, MD is co-founder and Medical Director of NeuroPsych Center of Greater Cincinnati, and has been in practice as a psychiatrist for 30 years. He is passionate about providing the highest quality mental health care based on deep knowledge, clinical skills, and patient advocacy. He currently serves as Board Member for PLAN of SW Ohio, another nonprofit whose mission is to help families care for their loved ones with disabilities across their life span. Babu strongly believes that successful health care can only be achieved using a holistic approach, including addressing basic financial and housing needs, fostering a sense of community, and connectedness with others. Hence, he is excited to serve on the Board of Cardinal Hope House Foundation.
Tom Parker
Tom Parker has worked in mental health for over 30 years and nearly half of this time has been the Director of External Relations for the Lindner Center of HOPE. Before this journey, Tom served in various roles in the hospitality industry. The transition from “hospitality to mental health” was easy for Tom who enjoys helping others find peace and joy. In addition to being a licensed social worker, Tom is an ordained pastor in the Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ, another way Tom connects with and serves others. Tom is married to Kelley and his two stepdaughters and four grandchildren.
Jennifer Kinch
Jennifer Kinch is a wife of 35 years, mother of 3, and grandmother of 5. She is a retired YMCA administrator, who oversaw the “Before and After” school care program in the Northwest school district, along with summer camp director and summer camp counselor for many years. After the YMCA, she taught in several different school districts including: a small village school, inner city and private schools, and public schools in Ohio.
Jennifer’s experiences taught her how to manage with what she was given and look for other resources, such as writing grants, looking for donations, and working with the public assistance programs and medical care agencies when necessary. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (grades 1-8) from the University of Cincinnati and has over 50 extra hours in Language Arts, Math and reading. Jennifer is looking forward to seeing this charity’s vision come into action and working with the community to make it happen.
Megan Smyth
Megan Smyth is a Cincinnati native. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the College of Mount St. Joseph (now Mount St. Joseph University). She has worked in a variety of industries, including residential remodeling and finance, where she has developed and maintained detailed office management systems, databases, client contact protocols, marketing, advertising, compliance, and other record keeping. Megan also works part-time behind the scenes with another non-profit in the Southeast Indiana area. She is a busy wife and mother of three.
About us
At Cardinal Hope House Foundation, our mission is to create a supportive and inclusive community for individuals facing mental health challenges by providing safe and stable housing options. We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home, and our foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals with mental health conditions to live fulfilling lives through access to suitable housing and comprehensive support services. By fostering an environment of understanding and compassion, we aim to break down stigmas surrounding mental health and promote a society where everyone can thrive.
Our Story
We met and were married over 25 years ago after meeting in a nursing home rehab facility where Kevin had been Melissa’s grandmother’s physical therapist (assistant). We have 3 children and stay busy.
Melissa has a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling. She’s had a passion to serve those with mental health needs. Being a licensed counselor has been a perfect way to help people with their day-to-day lives. She went into private practice 4 years ago and has hit the ground running. She has seen first-hand the need for Transitional Housing and helping her clients reach their full potential.
Kevin has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Broadcasting. Later he earned an Associates of Applied Science in Physical Therapy and is a licensed PTA. He has worked in a variety of settings and currently works in home health. He’s had an interest in real estate and at one time was a real estate agent. As a real estate investor, he understands the need to solve housing insecurity and is excited to blend health care and real estate.
Together we combine our background, experiences, and focus to deliver a housing option that will serve our clients specifically and the community at-large.