The Board of Directors for the Least of These are ordinary, everyday people with a commitment and passion to make a difference in the world. They have a heart for the people they are serving and an abiding love for the Lord Jesus Christ.


Tyler Kangas
President
  
Tyler Kangas is the president and co-founder of The Least of These. As a small-business owner, he brings valuable experience and insight to the management of the organization. In addition, Tyler is the graphic arts specialist and web site manager. He oversees the design of the promotional materials, including the web site; works as staff photographer; and produces TLOT’s informational DVD on Haiti.

Beyond the practical aspects of TLOT, Tyler cares about people and serving the Lord. As a teenager, Tyler did street witnessing in Quebec on the Gaspe Peninsula. For several years, he and his wife Kathy were foster parents and childbirth educators, while also raising a family. Then in September 2003, he started accompanying Kathy on mission trips to Haiti, bringing donations to orphanages and Christian ministries there. Most recently, Tyler and Kathy have adopted a Haitian daughter, Magnalie.

“The Least of These is an exciting venture for us,” says Tyler, “and although the needs are often overwhelming, it is gratifying to know that even small endeavors go a long way. It is a privilege to me to serve God in this organization and to work with such a competent Board of Directors.”

Tyler and Kathy live in South Grafton, Massachusetts and have four children—Amanda, Landon, Annsie, and Magnalie. They attend HighPointe Church in Thompson, Connecticut.


Kathy Kangas
Vice President

As vice president, Kathy Kangas manages the day-to-day operations of The Least of These, but she is also the visionary behind the missions organization. In 1999, after reading the book Revolution in World Missions, by K.P. Yohannan, Kathy committed herself to helping people in need by starting a ministry called the Homebound Missionary. As the work of the Homebound Missionary grew, and the needs she saw became greater, the ministry evolved to become The Least of These. (How It All Began).

However, Kathy’s heart has always been to care for people. She served as the Director of Childbirth Education Services of Worcester County, which taught childbirth classes and trained midwives; co-authored a book on childbirth; and studied midwifery.
“The Least of These is proof to me that the Lord uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things,” says Kathy. “When I am on the plane heading to Haiti, I can’t believe God is using me in this wonderful way. During the whole trip, I am full of worship and praise that God would send me, a nobody with no special talents, to Haiti to help change people’s lives. It overwhelms me when I think of what I get to do. I even forget my fear of flying. Everyday, I am in awe at what He is allowing us to do for His glory, and I am thankful.”


Monica Robinson
Treasurer

Monica Robinson is the treasurer for The Least of These, and also volunteers as the staff bookkeeper. She became involved with the organization through her friendship with Kathy and Tyler Kangas. With an associate’s degree in accounting and experience managing the financial end of her family’s business, Monica was a valuable addition to the Board of Directors.

“What keeps me involved with TLOT,” says Monica, “is seeing the love that Kathy and Ty have for the people in Haiti. As I become more involved, I have a greater understanding of the need there and really want to see TLOT’s vision become a reality. With that vision comes hope—the hope that each person impacted by this organization will gain the understanding of how Jesus can change their lives in practical ways.”

Monica and her husband Robert live in Putnam, Connecticut with their three daughters, Madilyn, Gabrielle, and Sidney. They attend HighPointe Church in Thompson, Connecticut.


Vernon Uhlinger Jr.
Secretary

Vern Uhlinger also serves as Donations Coordinator and proactively seeks out businesses who would be interested in donating wares, services, or funds to TLOT. He is also the contact person for individuals desiring to make a donation. In his everyday life, Vern works as an inspector for an aerospace company that manufactures rocket and airplane parts. He also enjoys raising honeybees, making maple syrup, and riding his motorcycle.

Jean DiVincentis
Director

Jean DiVincentis brings experience and diversity to her role as a director for The Least of These. Like her friend Kathy, Jean’s career focused on helping people, and she has worked as a midwife, childbirth educator, and prenatal fitness instructor. Currently she is a homeschooling mom, serves as the director of the Heritage Homeschoolers Group Classes, and works part-time in a Christian bookstore.

Jean came to TLOT through her 20-year friendship with Tyler and Kathy. “Having worked with Kathy in the past and knowing of her current work in Haiti, I was immediately interested when she called me about joining the Least of the These. It’s always exciting to walk in what the Lord has called you to, and I’m blessed at this opportunity. Working with TLOT has clearly revived my passion for missions. And now that my family is growing up and heading out, I have more time to concentrate in an area I believe He has put on my heart. There truly is a ‘time for every purpose under heaven.’ ”

Jean and her husband Tony live in Linwood, Massachusetts. They have five children—Marc, Melissa, Jessalyn, Micah, and Andrew—as well as six grandchildren. The DiVincentis family attends True Light Christian Church in Milford, Massachusetts.