One Church. One City. One Purpose.
One Church
The Church Has Left the Building
Our movement began in 2015 when over 30 Kenosha churches worked together at a Convoy of Hope event. Based on our success and mutual goals, we decided to come together and work towards the collaborative purpose of restoring hope and transforming lives in our community.
This event led to multiple meetings with local Churches, government representatives, and business professionals. We listened and learned about the social and economic challenges facing our city. Throughout these meetings, we solidified and focused our collective energy in the areas of church unity, foster care, and neighborhood transformation – all areas that have been historically overlooked.
Words of Jesus
I pray that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent me.
John 17:21
I pray that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent me.
John 17:21
One City
One city. Countless ways to transform lives.
Kenosha has the potential to become a city that offers hope for today and tomorrow. Our community benefits from the family values of its small-town catholic identity, as well as the resources that come with being the third-largest city in Wisconsin.
However, Kenosha is not without its challenges. Current tensions include ethnic and racial division accompanied by high economic stress. Despite this, hope can be seen in the economic growth that comes with the development of new industries on the horizon. With unity among churches on the rise, the opportunity for gospel impact and greater hope is increasing. One thing is for certain, as the winds of unity continue to blow, the future trajectory of Kenosha has the potential to supplant the current narrative.
The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.
John 1:14
John 1:14
One Purpose
Focused on uniting, fostering and transforming communities.
1HOPE believes in the power of the Churches of Kenosha and their collective ability to unify, gather, pray, and serve together. United, we can ensure that foster children and families have the love and support they need, children are being mentored to become the next generation of leaders, and neighborhoods provide a better quality of life by transforming into safe and prosperous communities.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Galatians 6:9
Our Team
Ray Knight
Board Chair
Ray has served as a volunteer for 1Hope for the last three years. He currently is the Advisory Board Chair, a level one volunteer for the Foster Family Support Network, and he is a Neighborhood Advocate Volunteer for the Uptown Community as part of the Neighborhood Transformation initiative. Ray also currently is the Volunteer Community Outreach Leader for the non-profit Disaster Response Team.
Academically, Ray received a Bachelor of Science degree from the St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Keller School of Management.
Professionally, Ray has been working in pharmaceutical drug development for over 25 years. He currently has been with AbbVie of North Chicago for over 21 years working as a Director and Program Lead. Ray’s strengths include collaboration, leading large cross-functional teams, solving problems, communication, speaking in public and most importantly, building relationships.
Ray’s heart for this organization starts and ends with serving people in our community who are among the most vulnerable. 1HOPE provides Ray with a unique opportunity in a variety of ways to help and love on foster children and the families that care for them and to help and love on people in the community who have lost hope or who have fallen on difficult times.
Ray has lived in Kenosha for most of his life, has two beautiful kids and is enjoying learning to play the piano.
Karisa Jo Wenberg
1HOPE Executive Director
Karisa enthusiastically joins 1HOPE after working at KUSD as a special education teacher for 12 years, followed by a Dean of Students for 8 years at Bullen Middle School. Karisa earned her bachelor’s degree at UW-Oshkosh in Education, has worked for 20 years in Kenosha, and has built many relationships with community members.
During the pandemic, Karisa with some friends and family, felt called to take care of her students and their families. What initially started out as a “small” focus quickly turned into a network supporting families in the community that needed support. Karisa earned the “Spark” award for starting the “Circle of Kindness” group that built circles around those in need to help them during unprecedented times in their lives.
Karisa is from Fond Du Lac, WI and graduated from Goodrich High school. Karisa and her husband John currently reside in Kenosha and have been married for 12 amazing years. Karisa has 2 children; Jack Rose is currently a freshman at UW-Green Bay and on the Men’s Basketball Team and Ella is a 5th grader and loves to play sports and hang out with her friend and family. Karisa and John love to be outdoors and enjoy sporting events and spending time with family and friends as much as possible. The life motto for the family is “Everything happens for a Reason; God has a plan”.
Dave Isaacson
Board of Directors, Treasurer
Dave has more than 26 years of experience providing wealth management and financial consulting services. He is skilled in portfolio and asset management, financial and market trend analysis.
As Chief Investment Officer of Schenck Investment Solutions, Dave drives the investment performance delivery model and then communicates investment results and economic trends to business partners and clients. He is responsible for managing the firm’s investment management platforms and portfolios including review of capital market expectations and strategy, manager selection and monitoring, and portfolio construction.
Dave is a polished national speaker who presents regularly on topics ranging from the economy and investment markets to the economic ramifications of current events.
Prior to joining Schenck Investment Solutions, Dave served as Wells Fargo’s Senior Investment Strategist in the Midwest and oversaw the management of $23 billion of investments under management at US Bank.
Mr. Isaacson serves as the Treasurer of 1Hope Together, a Kenosha County community oriented foundation and serves on the Christian Life School advisory committee.
Pastor Roy Peeples
Board of Directors, Neighborhood Engagement Chair
Ruth Dyson
Board of Directors, Secretary
Ruth Dyson works alongside her husband, Pastor Bobby, who leads Lively Stone Church of God in Christ in Kenosha, WI. She started Diaper Depot & More in September 2020 with the assistance of 1HOPE along with Kenosha and the surrounding areas.
Ruth was born and raised in Kenosha and still resides in the house her parents purchased. Her first husband was in the military which allowed her to travel the U.S. Ruth had seven siblings where she is the sixth. Two brothers passed away, one in infancy. She has been married to Pastor Bobby for 18 years and between the two they have seven children and 13 grandchildren.
Ruth was taught to give back to the community while watching her parents, Horace and Rubenia Booth. Both were very active in the community and served the community as presidents of the NAACP, CYC Board members and her mom as a volunteer driver for Aging and Disability. Her grandmother Henrietta Hives, was the first black owned Rooming House/restaurant in Kenosha, WI. Ruth was elected as the first black female on the Kenosha County Board where she served two terms. She is also a five-year kidney cancer survivor.
Terri Thillens
Foster Family Support Network Manager
Terri, from the Appleton area originally, has lived in Kenosha for the past 10 years with her husband Bob, Tucker 14, Cam 6, and new puppy Rosie. Over the past three years, God has used Terri in many ways through the 1HOPE Foster Family Support Network to support foster families and foster children in Kenosha County. She began as a Family Advocate, working directly with multiple foster families and leading a small team of volunteers to provide wrap-around support. Later, she took on the role as a Church Ministry Leader for the Foster Family Support Network at Journey Church, leading, mentoring, and training a large team of Family Advocates to support foster families.
Terri is strong in her faith and lives out Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – we are so grateful for Terri choosing to shine her light through her new role at 1HOPE! In her free time, Terri enjoys family time, exercise, and watching her children in sports.
Nicole Kaebisch
Foster Family Support Network Manager
Nicole has been working with children and families for over 25 years, in a variety of ways. Nicole received her bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Psychology and Sociology, then returned to Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois to earn her teaching certification. Most recently, Nicole was an educator at Bristol School, and KUSD.
Nicole had many opportunities to help others as she moved around the United States while her husband served in the Navy for 20 years. Nicole supported families and children as a Training and Curriculum Specialist for Marine Corps Community Services Children, Youth, and Teen Program. She also had the opportunity to work as a Social Worker for San Bernardino County Department of Children and Family Services. Nicole comes with a passion for making a positive impact and helping others.
Nicole grew up in Tomah, Wisconsin and loves to stay connected with her family with frequent visits to that area. Nicole and her husband, Ricky currently reside in Paddock Lake and have been married for 26 years. Ricky is a retired Veteran of the U. S. Navy. They have been blessed with three amazing children; Rilye serves the community as a Sherriff’s Deputy in Juneau County, Wisconsin. Ella will be graduating from Concordia University in Mequon, WI with her undergraduate degree, and will be continue her education to pursue her doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. Reid is a freshman at Westosha Central High School, who loves to fish and participate in water sports. Their rescued dog, Sky, a 5-year-old labradoodle, brings so much joy and completes their family. Her family loves to spend time together playing games, enjoying lake life, and connecting with family and friends. The Kaebisch family values service to others and holds tight to their family motto, “Love and trust God, love others, speak kind words, and set an example.”
Our Sponsors
