Our Mission

About

Caritas Community is rooted in Augustinian values, we are committed to aiding and advocating for foster and at-risk children, offering them essential resources and compassionate support to ensure they are not just surviving, but thriving in a nurturing community.

Meet Our Team

Our dedicated team is composed of passionate individuals committed to making a difference in the lives of at-risk children and youth.

Dustin Gardner

Founder / President

As the Director, Dustin oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of Caritas Community, ensuring that our mission and values are upheld with dedication and compassion. Dustin along with his wife, Katelin (see below), have been volunteering with nonprofits assisting children in foster care for several years. Dustin will usually be the initial social point around Cedar City, as he also manages outreach and community connections.

Initially helping OCJ Kids in Phoenix Arizona with being a donation site for Christmas toys, Dustin quickly wanted to get further involved. The more and more he volunteered with OCJ it became clear that there weren't nearly enough people to help our children in foster care.

dustin@caritascomm.org

435-531-7882

Katelin Gardner

Co-founder / Treasurer

Excited to be here in Cedar City! With a Degree in Business, I hope to bring my accounting knowledge to the finance portion of Caritas Community with accuracy and ethical integrity. Dustin and I initially had the inspiration for Caritas Community because we saw the need and dedication at OCJ Kids (Phoenix) and wanted to have an impact on the at-risk children and youth by organizing resources and opportunities as well.

My personal mission is to inspire hope for those in the field of change for the youth who are at-risk, as it is typically a constant and tireless effort. I look forward to connecting with individuals, organization, communities, and personnel involved with the same inclination to serve the struggling youth, because they too, are worthy of great things.

katy@caritascomm.org

435-531-7881

Rachel Anderson

Secretary

For the past 12 years, I have been deeply committed to running PAWS Rescue Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping animals in need. When my daughter graduated from high school, I found myself with extra time and a desire to devote it to something meaningful that I was passionate about.

Initially, I hoped to become a CASA volunteer, but my work schedule made that impossible. Around the same time, I recognized an urgent need for foster homes to care for displaced, abandoned, and abused animals in my community. I stepped in without hesitation, driven by the belief that both children and animals need advocates to speak up for them. It quickly became clear that this work was my calling.

Now, I am honored to have the opportunity to expand my advocacy efforts beyond animals to include children by joining the board of Caritas. I am excited to contribute to making a lasting impact in the lives of children who so desperately need to be seen, heard, and supported.

Stacy Schlieder

Vice President

My background includes being a Learning Support Assistant and Relief Teacher at a Christian Home School Center for 13 years, during that time three of my four children attended, and experience in Management and Inventory Management.

For the past 11 years, I have been a Dog Educator and Behaviorist. Absolutely love helping people and their pups with the real life challenges, that a brick and mortar doesn’t. 

Currently,  I’m working on another passion, Our War Veterans. I’m being educated on being a PTSD dog educator. Very excited to work with the Veterans and helping them with their companion dogs. 

I am very proud and excited to join the Board of Caritas. I look forward to adding my support to helping meet the children’s missing needs and more. 

Advisory Board

We would like to issue a special thank you to our Advisory board:

Don Kirk Nasland (Retired)
Janene Nasland (Retired)
Jason Segneri (Atwell Surveying)
Christine Segneri
Gary Webb (OCJ Kids)
Tammie Webb (OCJ Kids)