Our Mission
Sweet Dreams Foundation’s mission is to glorify God by spreading peace, hope and joy to families with medically fragile babies and children. Our purpose is to create a place in the baby/child’s home to be their safe-haven. With our Dream Bedroom and RooBaby Programs our goal is to create an atmosphere that will lift the spirit of the child where they can laugh, play, and let their inner light shine.
Our Team
Jennifer Richards
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
The vision began when I was 11 years old taking care of my grandfather as he was dying from lung cancer. Months of watching him lay in bed sparked an interest to help those who were seriously ill. It was very hard to take care of him and watch him in unbearable pain. My mom took care of the necessities to live and I relieve his pain through countless massages. The night before he passed, he gave me a kiss on the forehead and said God was taking him home. That night he passed. Thank you grandpa for sparking my mission in life.
Jessica Heckle
TREASURER
As a senior commercial property manager I wear a lot of hats. My favorite hat is my mom hat. As a mother of a disabled child, sweet dreams touches my heart in a special place. In 2017, my son was in a severe car accident. In my darkest hour, it was my village that helped me, prayed with me, and gave me the strength to keep going. This is why I want to be a part of Sweet Dreams. I want to be a part of the village that helps families find hope, happiness, and the strength to keep going.
Sara Fasig
SECRETARY
In my ongoing pursuit of making a meaningful impact in the world, my professional journey as a Project Manager has been dedicated to orchestrating impactful initiatives and supporting individuals with disabilities. I am thrilled to extend my commitment to positive change by joining Sweet Dreams. Here, I can seamlessly blend my passion and skills, elevating my dedication to a cause that resonates deeply with me — making a lasting impact on the lives of children facing challenges.
Lance Mishleau
BOARD MEMBER
STRATEGIC PLANNING
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Born in Wisconsin, I migrated to California 15 years ago with a passion for being part of teams achieving goals greater than any individual could accomplish alone. My journey with Sweet Dreams began several years ago when I first met Jennifer and was inspired by the mission to create dream bedrooms for chronically and terminally ill children. This cause became deeply personal when I donated a kidney to my 3.5-year-old nephew in Wisconsin in 2018. Reflecting on that time, I wish we had created a dream bedroom for him. Today, I am honored to help children feel loved, special, and supported in practical, tangible ways. In addition to my work with Sweet Dreams, I am the CEO of Holder Resources Inc., a timber and mining company headquartered in Folsom, CA. I also serve as a worship leader and musician, with a desire to combine my professional and personal passions to make a meaningful impact to those around me. With growing roots in the area, I am also a proud graduate of William Jessup University with a Master’s of Business Administration.
http://www.HolderResources.ca
http://www.HolderResources.ca
Alena Salenik
BOARD MEMBER
MURALIST | ARTIST
MURALIST | ARTIST
Art has always been a big part of my life. Growing up I loved to express myself in my drawings. When I heard of Sweet Dreams Foundation I had to get involved. Seeing the struggle these children go through broke my heart. Learning about each child and what they love I knew that I can express it with mural work in their bedrooms. I Love that my Love for Drawing can bring Joy to All the children that we give a Dream Bedroom to.
Lisa Barrier
BOARD MEMBER
EVENTS | FUNDRAISING
EVENTS | FUNDRAISING
As a passionate real estate agent with a heart for making a difference, I bring a unique blend of expertise and compassion to Sweet Dreams Foundation. By leveraging my experience as a real estate professional, and philanthropic work over the years, I understand the power of transforming physical spaces into havens of comfort and inspiration. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that every child we support has a dream bedroom that reflects their unique personality, interests, and dreams.
Cheryl Cavins
BOARD MEMBER
I am a native northern Californian having grown up in Santa Cruz county. I graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1992, with two degrees in Rhetoric & Communications and Spanish. I recently retired in August of 2023 from a successful 27-year cyber security sales career in the hopes of spending more time with family and helping others. I’m a mother of four children ranging from ages 12-30 years old who adores my two grandchildren, ages 1 & 3. I’ve been a longtime supporter of Sweet Dreams since its inception and am excited to join the board and continue blessing families in need. I’m also passionate about supporting local aged-out foster youth and in my free time, I enjoy being on the lake, wake surfing, yoga and traveling.
Howard Minster
BOARD MEMBER
I am married 23 years with 4 adult children, enjoying a great life at this time. I carry 6 Licenses in lending and insurance. I specialize in helping businesses and personal be in a position to survive a catastrophic life event and also help them bridge the gap of their retirements, my lending background, which has been about 30 years experience., has been in helping clients with unique situations, anywhere from hard money to A++ all over the country. I have my own business, therefore at this time in my life, I have the ability to give back my time to a few causes I can get behind. My main one is PGA HOPE, a program for veterans, to get them to use golf as a way of therapy and comroderry with those with similar disabilities, I was A VET in the Airforce and I am lucky not to be in the situation of many Vets, therefore I felt strong to give back and help those who are dealing with real life issues. My hobbies are GOLF!!!! MY other hobbies are my 15 month old granddaughter and spending quality time with my family.
I am married 23 years with 4 adult children, enjoying a great life at this time. I carry 6 Licenses in lending and insurance. I specialize in helping businesses and personal be in a position to survive a catastrophic life event and also help them bridge the gap of their retirements, my lending background, which has been about 30 years experience., has been in helping clients with unique situations, anywhere from hard money to A++ all over the country. I have my own business, therefore at this time in my life, I have the ability to give back my time to a few causes I can get behind. My main one is PGA HOPE, a program for veterans, to get them to use golf as a way of therapy and comroderry with those with similar disabilities, I was A VET in the Airforce and I am lucky not to be in the situation of many Vets, therefore I felt strong to give back and help those who are dealing with real life issues. My hobbies are GOLF!!!! MY other hobbies are my 15 month old granddaughter and spending quality time with my family.
Jacinta Turner
BOARD MEMBER
I graduated from Oakwood University with a degree in Nursing in 2012. I've spent most of my time out of school honing my skills in obstetrics and newborn care. I also spent some time teaching vocational nursing and working at a group home for girls. There were also many years I worked at a camp for kids in Grizzly Flats, California and I loved every minute!
I have a passion for women's and children's healthcare, and I look forward to working on the Sweet Dreams team to share some of my time and talents with the families we will serve. My undergraduate school had a motto, “enter to learn and depart to serve” and I seek each day to do just that.
I graduated from Oakwood University with a degree in Nursing in 2012. I've spent most of my time out of school honing my skills in obstetrics and newborn care. I also spent some time teaching vocational nursing and working at a group home for girls. There were also many years I worked at a camp for kids in Grizzly Flats, California and I loved every minute!
I have a passion for women's and children's healthcare, and I look forward to working on the Sweet Dreams team to share some of my time and talents with the families we will serve. My undergraduate school had a motto, “enter to learn and depart to serve” and I seek each day to do just that.
Karl Reiber, MD
BOARD MEMBER
PEDIATRICIAN
Both new and experienced parents alike encounter many challenges during the early days after a baby is born, through the toddler years and on through school-age and adolescence. As a board-certified Pediatrician, Dr. Reiber enjoys provides medical care for parents and young people through life’s normal transitions as well as helping them to navigate the sometimes daunting task of navigating the healthcare system for their medically complex children.
Since completing his training at UC Davis Medical Center in 2015, Dr. Reiber has provided care for a diverse population of children in the Sacramento area. He enjoys an active lifestyle with activities such as running and hiking, and encourages his patients to spend time outdoors.
PEDIATRICIAN
Both new and experienced parents alike encounter many challenges during the early days after a baby is born, through the toddler years and on through school-age and adolescence. As a board-certified Pediatrician, Dr. Reiber enjoys provides medical care for parents and young people through life’s normal transitions as well as helping them to navigate the sometimes daunting task of navigating the healthcare system for their medically complex children.
Since completing his training at UC Davis Medical Center in 2015, Dr. Reiber has provided care for a diverse population of children in the Sacramento area. He enjoys an active lifestyle with activities such as running and hiking, and encourages his patients to spend time outdoors.
