Our StaffHeartland 180 Home|Heartland 180, Inc (2023)

Maximilian Mendoza aka "Mr. Max"

Maximilian is a native of the Kansas City Metro area. Youth and prevention programs are passions of his and he dedicates a majority of his time to such programs. He himself was a troubled youth who ended up in the juvenile justice system in his adolescence. Coming from a background of drugs and gang activities, system involvement was inevitable. While Max was incarcerated, his cousin was killed in drive-by shooting. This incident helped initiate his reform. He opened up to the opportunities provided; through the help of mentoring and the realization of his own self-value, he began working to reform his life. While working on his education and participating in activities that allowed him to help his fellow inmates, Max developed a passion for helping those like him.

Upon his release, Max continued his education in Social Work. Due to his criminal background, he had difficulties finishing his degree and finding work in that field. His determination did not allow that to stop him. He volunteered to work with youth at every opportunity he could find. He began doing his own community outreach, advocating for juvenile justice reform and speaking to youth groups about his mistakes and overcoming them. Through his volunteer work he eventually made a reputation for himself that eventually reached the Kansas governor’s office. In 2012, Max became a governor appointee to the Kansas Advisory Group, (KAG), on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In the first year of his term, he was sent to Washington D.C. for the Coalition for Juvenile Justice national conference. He learned about youth engagement training and returned to Kansas with the information for the KAG to receive a federal grant for the training and development of a state youth committee. He was appointed chairperson and remains active with that committee today.

In addition to serving on the KAG’s Youth Committee, Max also serves as the Chairman of the KAG's Membership Committee, on the KAG’s Executive Committee, and on the KAG's DMC/RED Committee (Disproportionate Minority Contact/Racial and Ethnic Disparities). He is also serves as a Kansas Secretary of State Appointee to the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee. Nationally he is a member of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and locally he is involved as a member of the Advisory Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, as a Board Member of P.A.C.E.S., as a Board Member of Keys For Networking and as a mentor to youth in his community.

Matthew Zimmer

Matthew (Matt) grew up in the Kansas City area and joined the Heartland 180 team in late September 2022. Matt's role is to oversee all weekly programming for Heartland 180. Matt brings 30+ years of experience of working with youth and their parents. Previously Matt has worked with urban youth in skid row Los Angeles and with youth in suburban and rural settings in Missouri, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. He has a deep passion to help urban families be as healthy as possible. Matt and his wife have three grown children living in Kansas, Idaho, and Oklahoma. When not working Matt enjoys great BBQ, reading, working out in the gym, riding bikes with his wife, and anything outdoors.

Stephanie Henderson

(Begins July 1, 2023)

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Having grown up all over the midwest, Stephanie experienced life from north to south in cities and outside of them. A wide variety of experiences showed her a large range of people who were not empowered to overcome the challenges in their lives as she has been. After working to discover her calling, Stephanie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health science with an emphasis on trauma and will be graduating with her master’s degree in mental health and wellness in the fall of 2023. Her heart is to help people holistically seek health and live into their best lives, breaking generational cycles and creating healthier families.

Stephanie and her husband Sean moved to Kansas City in 2022 with their two sons and are thankful to have found a community that offers the hope of space to grow for all of them, both individually and as a family.

Kayla Carter

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Hello! My name is Kayla Carter, and I am a H180 Youth and Parent and Family Support Service Facilitator at Heartland 180. I am a Wyandotte County native and am very proud of where I come from. As a Kauffman Scholar, I graduated from Sumner Academy of Arts and Science in 2016 and furthered my education at Baker University, completing a bachelor's degree in public health in 2020. Being a Kauffman Scholar granted me the opportunity to attend college at no cost to me. My mission is to provide guidance and opportunities to Wyandotte County residents that will prepare them for life’s obstacles and improve their overall quality of life. I am excited to serve the wonderful residents of Wyandotte County and see a positive change in our community.

Micah Latimer

Hi ALL! I am Micah Latimer, the lead program facilitator for H180 program. Being a happy person smiley and talkative person is who I love to be! I love making people Happy! I started with youth work in the Wyandotte area in 2020. I have a past background with incarceration and youth. I worked in multiple daycares and as well as a nanny for about 6 years and have run other juvenile youth programming as well. I currently the Support Services Director at YouthBuild have 3 children of my own, all girls. I enjoy being outside, I LOVE coffee, rainbows & Smiley face, thrift store shopping and I AM OBSESSED WITH CUPS. I enjoy building connections with students and learning about them and how something so simple can change their mindset on things.

Myles Wright-Garland

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Myles was born in Albany, Georgia but predominately raised in Overland Park and Olathe Kansas. Myles was raised in a very blended family and grew up with five brothers and 4 sisters. Shortly after graduating high school at Olathe South, Myles started his 12-year career in healthcare by obtaining his Certified Nursing Aide and Certified Medication Aide certificates. Myles worked in multiple nursing facilities with varies specialties but mainly worked with geriatric patients and those with Alzheimer/Dementia. Myles went on to secure his Phlebotomy certificate and began working in Dialysis where he also gained his Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician certificate. All the while Myles was also taking classes at JCCC to work towards obtaining his BSN. Although ultimately, he decided that was not his true intended path and took a sabbatical to find a career that better suited him and in March of 2022 Myles began his journey as a Lead Facilitator at Heartland 180. In his free time Myles enjoys taking his dog to the park and getting to spend time with any of his 18 nieces and nephews. Myles is an avid reader and a huge supporter of the LGBTQIA+, Black and Indigenous communities.

Tryone Weaver

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My name is Tyrone Weaver I am a graduate student from Emporia State University. I played football for 4 years for the Hornets and won a championship in 2012. I have been a Mentor, Life Coach, Sports Coach, and teacher. I have taught Growing Into Manhood and Strengthening Families and now I’m a lead facilitator in the H180 program at Washington High School. My main goal and purpose in life is to Influence Greatness with our youth.

Telesha Bennett

Meet Telesha! She is an Arkansas native and a PROUD FEMALE VETERAN!!! Telesha is a mother of 2 grown children. She moved to Wyandotte County almost 8 years ago and has been passionate about helping her community since her move. Telesha is a Community Health Worker and a Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association. Telesha currently volunteers in her spare time at Avenue of Life assisting where there is a need. Telesha loves spending time with her family, cooking and listening to good music.

Telesha is excited about being the newest member of H180 as aProgram Facilitator. Telesha’s goal is to let the youth know that they are not alone and that they have a safe and dependable circle with the staff at H180. “Life is better when your circle is strong!!”