Trusted Leadership. Quiet Faith. Lasting Impact.
Kelly Cheek doesn't enter a room loudly, but her presence is felt almost immediately. It shows up in the way she listens carefully, offers steady counsel, and follows through with quiet determination. After 35 years of marriage to her husband John, raising their daughter Kaitlin, building a career as a nurse and pharmaceutical professional, and now sharing life with their beloved dog Hazel, Kelly has learned something essential: trust is built through consistency, compassion, and faithfulness over time.
That steady trust is one of the greatest gifts Kelly brings to the Life Center.
Kelly was initially drawn to the Life Center by a simple yet strong desire—to support leaders dedicated to helping people who desperately needed hope. What started as an act of support quickly turned into a calling. Kelly saw firsthand that the Life Center was not just meeting needs but also restoring dignity, purpose, and possibility. That vision continues to inspire her passion today.
Her faith shapes her view of both the world and the Life Center’s work. Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness greatly influenced her perspective, showing the reality of spiritual warfare and the quiet struggles people face every day. These lessons are reflected in how Kelly leads—with discernment, prayer, and an understanding that real change often occurs below the surface before it becomes visible.
Kelly’s wisdom is practical, grounded, and deeply freeing. One piece of advice changed how she manages responsibility: Not every problem is hers to solve. For someone with a helper’s heart, this truth created space for healthier boundaries and increased trust in God’s role as the ultimate healer and redeemer. It’s a mindset that fits perfectly with the Life Center’s approach—walking alongside people, offering tools and guidance, but honoring their ownership of growth and change.
Looking back, Kelly would tell her 20-year-old self something many of us still need to hear: You don’t have to keep everyone happy. That clarity has shaped her leadership—calm, confident, and free from the need for approval. It allows her to serve with sincerity and courage, even when facing tough choices.
One of the most tender glimpses into Kelly’s heart comes from a memory that still carries weight. If given the chance, she would spend an hour with her best friend from middle school, urging her not to go to a party that changed everything. The loss still lingers. It is this lived understanding of how a single moment can change a life that drives Kelly’s deep commitment to prevention, hope, and intervention. She knows how much timing, guidance, and love matter.
When Kelly thinks about the people served by the Life Center, her hope is rooted in what makes this organization unique. The Life Center doesn't just offer quick solutions—it provides both immediate assistance and long-term tools for transformative growth. It meets people where they are and walks alongside them toward who they can become.
If you ask Kelly what she hopes people say about her, her answer is simple and clear: Just call Kelly—she’s someone you can trust to help. That same trustworthiness defines the Life Center itself. Strong leadership, grounded faith, and a deep belief in the power of love and kindness have made it one of the most influential nonprofits in our region. The impact is real. The transformation lasts. And none of it happens alone.
When you volunteer, give, or pray for the Life Center, you become part of this story—standing with leaders like Kelly who believe that hope, when nurtured, can change everything.
Kelly Cheek
Life Center Board of Directors