Our Team.
Lynda Sargent
Founder & President/CEO
Lynda Sargent was born and raised in the West End neighborhoods of Rock Island. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from St. Ambrose University.
She retired from her work as an Accountant with Unity Point Health at Trinity Rock Island in 2012 to focus on shepherding the vision the Lord has given her for Heart of Hope Ministries.
She is a devoted Servant of the Lord, and the Community in which she serves. She has been given a sincere and caring heart for those in need within our community.
She eagerly looks forward to what the Lord’s divine purpose has ahead for Heart of Hope Ministries.
She is the proud mother of two daughters.
Meecheeca McNeal
Chair, Board of Directors
Meecheeca is a faith-filled wife to her husband Melvin, and together they have three amazing daughters who are daily reminders of the goodness of God. She is also a Rock Island native who passionately believes in the vision of Heart of Hope, and celebrates the restoring agent that HOH has been to the community.
She holds a B.S. in Mass Communications from Illinois State University, and an M.S.Ed. in Counseling from Western Illinois University. She currently works as an Elementary School Counselor, and enjoys helping shape the hearts and minds of our most impressionable population: children.
Meecheeca’s greatest passion is sharing the Good News, the hope and love she has found in Jesus, with other people around her. Meecheeca enjoys the arts, and often encourages others in their relationships with God through creative writing, music and dance. She looks forward to sharing this same hope with many others.
Sue Kaiser Fritz
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Sue Kaiser began her career in Davenport, Iowa as an Accountant for a local CPA firm. She then worked in the Health Care Unit of John Deere. Sue retired in 2018 with more than 10 years in management at UnityPoint Health Trinity. Her last position was the Director of Project Management where she was involved in the $65 million dollar addition to the Rock Island Hospital Campus!
Sue loves the Quad Cities! This is where she raised her family and where her grandchildren call home! She served on the Board of Directors for Gilda’s Club in Davenport, Iowa for 13 years and is a dedicated supporter to many community organizations in the Quad Cities! She appreciates the Heart and Hope that Heart of Hope Outreach Ministry instills in the Quad Cities!
Sue Davison
Board Secretary, Board of Directors
A Rock Island native, Sue Davison brings decades of experience in social services and a deep passion for serving marginalized communities. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Illinois State University and an MBA from St. Ambrose University. Most recently, she served as Director at the Safer Foundation for 18 years, where she championed reentry efforts and chaired the “QC Advocates for Offender Success” coalition. Throughout her career, Sue has collaborated with Heart of Hope and deeply values its mission and integrity. Now retired, she feels called to give back by supporting the organization in a more direct way.
Sue has also been active in community and faith-based service, including eight years with the Davenport Noon Optimist Club and 15 years as a religious education instructor. She currently resides in LeClaire, Iowa, with her husband, and is a proud mother of two. She feels honored to contribute her time and heart to Heart of Hope Ministries.
Cellia Rodriguez-Staples
Director of Operations & Outreach Coordinator
Cellia was the program director for a faith-based residential program that reached, rescued, and restored women from lifestyles of addiction, homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Cellia has served in full-time ministry for the last 4 1/2 years.
She is originally from Chicago, IL and is a graduate of the Chicago Dream Center. Growing up on the streets of Chicago, Cellia has developed a burning desire to help the lost and the hurting whatever the cost.
Troy Scott
Food Pantry Coordinator &
Project Manager
Troy worked for 29 years combined in Manufacturing and in Management in the Production Industry. In August 2022, Troy, and his family began volunteering at the weekly Heart of Hope food pantry. He took a leap of faith as he felt a calling to pursue an opportunity that would allow him to serve in the community on a full- time basis, and accepted the position of Director of Programs at Heart of Hope, seeking to be actively involved as Heart of Hope seeks to develop and implement new endeavors and further serve the community.
Troy grew up in and continues to live in the Quad City area with his wife, Heather, and one daughter. He has two adult children and one granddaughter.
Jennifer L. Andrews
Community Resource Specialist
A Chicago native and proud Rock Island resident of 14 years, Jennifer joins us through what can only be described as divine intervention. With a strong background in customer service and exceptional communication skills, she brings both professionalism and warmth to every interaction.
Jennifer’s vibrant personality, coupled with her heart for the community, makes her the perfect person to help bring our Resource Center to life as a welcoming hub for connection, support, and empowerment. Outside of her professional role, Jennifer is also a licensed cosmetologist and a gifted spoken word artist, adding a creative and soulful touch to everything she does.
Samantha Iron Shield
Administrative Assistant
Samantha was born and raised in Davenport, IA, and resided in her tribe from 2015-2020, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, located in North Dakota. She is passionate about her education, graduating from Scott Community College and earning her AA degree in Business Administration. Samantha is still actively pursuing her education, hoping to be a model to her children. She is devoted to her family and loved ones.
Samantha joined the Heart of Hope Ministries team in September of 2023 and is proud to be a part of the team. Excited about this new chapter in her life, Samantha is happy to be a part of the mission to serve and support the community.
Bob Hotle
Member, Board of Directors
Bob was born in Moline and raised in Rock Island. He is an Augustana College graduate with a BA in Sociology. He said yes to Jesus when he was 27 and has strived to live out Mark 16:15-20.
After raising a family of 5 children and entering retirement, Bob has volunteered his time for over a year delivering food and toiletry items to the elderly and disabled for the Heart of Hope Food Pantry. Bob has been a faithful member of our team, and has a caring servant heart.
He LOVES to feed people, body and soul. He says "I have to fill the tummy first... to get at the soul.” Bob also works with teen boys through the Youth Hope Outreach Ministry in Moline.
David Staples
Member, Board of Directors
David Staples, a Chicago native, endured 29 years of wrongful incarceration before being exonerated by the Illinois Innocence Project. While incarcerated, he became a member of Augustana's Prison Education Program. After his release, he continued pursuing his education on campus at Augustana, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. As the first resident of the Giving Hope House and now a board member of APEP, David is currently in graduate school at Western Illinois University. Balancing two part-time jobs, he serves as the Ambassador for the Rock Island Downtown Alliance and a Community Engagement Advocate for the John Howard Association, working passionately toward prison reform and community justice. David also volunteers with Lives of Legacy, teaching the gospel to incarcerated youth every Monday at the Scott County Juvenile Detention Center.
Linda Barnes, MPA
Member, Board of Directors
Linda Barnes is a public servant and municipal finance leader with more than 35 years of experience in public administration and community engagement in the Quad Cities region. She retired in 2023 as Finance Director for the City of Rock Island, where she oversaw financial operations, budgeting, and long-term fiscal planning. In 2025, she was elected as Alderwoman for Ward 3 on the Rock Island City Council, continuing her commitment to transparent and responsive government. Linda holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois Springfield and has served numerous community organizations, including the United Way of the Quad Cities, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the Rock Island County NAACP, and the Rock Island Human Rights Commission.
With decades of leadership in public finance, governance, and community engagement, Linda brings valuable insight, integrity, and a strong commitment to mission-driven service in her work with nonprofit organizations.
T.Y. Stone
Member, Board of Directors
T.Y. Stone, a creator focused on cultural connection, clear communication, and real conversations. I build projects and content that bring people together across backgrounds, language, and experience.
His work sits at the intersection of identity, community, and media, with a practical approach that keeps things honest and usable. I care about how people relate to each other, how ideas spread, and how platforms can support understanding without noise. Everything I do points back to cultural connection and helping people feel seen, heard, and respected.