Our Mission.SpringSpirit exists to provide pathways for youth to realize life opportunities through sports, education, and mentoring programs based on Christian principles.
|
Our Story
Melissa and Kenny Baldwin
Co-Founders and President
The foundation of SpringSpirit began several decades ago in San Antonio as Kenny Baldwin, President and Founder, grew up and played baseball in a neighborhood much like the one SpringSpirit serves today. He was given the opportunity to attend Rice University on a baseball scholarship and then played professional baseball before spending twenty-eight years as a successful consultant in the oil and gas industry. Kenny credits his success to strong coaches, great teachers, loving mentors, and faith leaders who encouraged him throughout his life. It is his greatest desire to create these same opportunities and relationships for other under-served youth through SpringSpirit Baseball.Our Team
Administration
Kenny Baldwin
President/FounderRachel Owens
(Chief Operating Officer)Jeanne Grube
(Controller)Yesenia Merchan
(Operations)Brian Dennison
Pitner Campus DirectorAna Mendoza
Campbell Campus DirectorMarc Laney
Senior Director of DevelopmentKakki Lange
Development ManagerPitner Campus Team
Juan Ramirez
Assistant Director a Pitner CampusKatie Whalley
Development CoordinatorLaura Smith
Director of EducationConnally Mooring
Mentoring and Literacy CoordintorBlanca Gallegos
Whole Child ProgramKevin Witt
Athletic DirectorGabriel Castillo
Competative Baseball CoachCampbell Campus Team
Ana Mendoza
Campbell Campus DirectorSergio Razo
Recreational Sports Manager for Campbell CampusAdrian Lucero
Recreational Sports CoordinatorSaid Perez
Adult MinistryOur Community
Spring Branch is a vibrant, growing and dynamic part of Houston. Among the local churches, schools, businesses, non-profits and mix of residents there exist many interested stakeholders that are working to see the community grow and thrive. There is a level of passion and commitment shared for the overall development of Spring Branch. The 1970’s marked a significant change in Spring Branch with the building of apartment complexes. During the 1980’s the City of Houston sought to build public housing in the area and was opposed by concerned homeowners and civic leaders. During that same decade, Houston’s economy declined rapidly and area apartments were vacated to families looking for inexpensive housing. The change in occupants is significant because it changed both the demographic and socio-economic status in the region. Beginning in 1980 to recent times, U.S. Census figures show a rapid and growing increase in the number of Latin American immigration to the community. The clear characteristics, noted both in the past and present, is the abundance of inexpensive multi-family housing and the excellent education provided by SBISD.Our Board
Carlos AbelloMike GilbertMark McAdamsSteve ScottKenny BaldwinJay GrahamBrooks McGeeAimee SnootsMelissa BaldwinMark HamiltonStephen McNairRichard SpitzerLance BerkmanBill HermanPhilip McRaeSteve StephensRyan BishopDoug HodoJohn MeredithTrey StrakeKeith BookeHoward HouseJeff MiersDrew TaggertDavid BuckEric HudsonDavid MilichLeslie TeelSteve BuckleyWill HuthnanceDavid MillerKen TheutLinda CastanedaSean KeenanMichelle MoutonBrian ThompsonDavid CecilSteve KimMary Tere PeresquiaBeth TilneyGus ComiskeyDuncan KlussmannTony PileggeMarlen TrujilloJeff DietertPeggy KostialDavid PluchinskyTim TullyBill Dor'eBob KurtzJon PratherJesse TutorGary EdwardsDan LangPaul PrimaveraLuke VammenChristina FederMark LangeLuis RojasTrey VickOur Core Values
- Teamwork: We rely on the talent and experience of every member of our staff to meet our mission goals. We will work as one team to achieve our common and individual goals. We will communicate openly, share ideas and support each other.
- Respect for the Individual: We strive to create a workplace where employees learn from others and each person’s unique skills, gifts and experience are recognized. We will demonstrate grace, compassion and patience with colleagues, volunteers and participants.
- Integrity: We believe that trust is built on honesty and ensuring that our behaviors match our words. We will act ethically, legally and according to our Christian principles in all situations.
- Focus on the Family and Community: We are committed to improving the lives of the families and youth of Spring Branch. We will serve them willingly and with humility. We will listen to the community in order to understand the specific ways in which we can help and we will deliver quality programming.
- Perseverance: We will be consistent and dedicated in our mission. We will serve with a positive attitude and remain focused when we encounter obstacles.
- Operational Excellence: We are committed to building a team of competent, caring individuals who will represent the values of SpringSpirit.
- Teamwork: We rely on the talent and experience of every member of our staff to meet our mission goals. We will work as one team to achieve our common and individual goals. We will communicate openly, share ideas and support each other.
Jeanne Grube
Hometown: League City, TX Hobbies: Photography, and Puzzles Dream Vacation: Anywhere with a beach Houston Restaurant Rec: Ginger and Fork Favorite Sports: Houston Astros Favorite Athlete: Jose Altuve Favorite Music: Country Music or anything by Kenny Chesney Why I Love SSB: Using sports as a way to bring mentorship and ministry to the kids, as well as bringing the community together. |
Laura Smith
Hometown: Houston, TX Hobbies: cooking, gardening, going to concerts, yoga, and traveling. Favorite sports teams: Longhorns and Astros. Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams Favorite Music: Americana Houston Restaurant Rec Good Company Seafood Dream Vacation: Hawaii Why I Love SSB: It is a place full of hope and promise ! |
Alison Young
Hometown: Houston Hobbies: CrossFit, gardening, cycling, baking/cake decorating, hiking, reading Favorite Quote: "Everything will be all right in the end. If it is not all right, it is not yet the end." --Patel, Hotel Manager, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Why I Love SSB: It is spiritually and emotionally fulfilling to see that, every single day, we are making a real and profound impact on kids' lives. |
Blanca Gallegos
Houston Restaurant Rec: Del Friscos Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan Things I love: flipping homes, running, cycling, cooking, event planning, gardening, traveling Favorite Quote: Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world. Why I Love SSB: I love collaboration to uplift the community in a holistic way. |
Connally Mooring
Nickname: Conn Hometown: Houston, TX Houston Restaurant Rec: Island Grill Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys or UT Football Things I love: cooking, tennis, walks with friends, reading Dream Vacation: Australia Favorite Music: Whatever music is on the radio. Why I Love SSB: How motivated the entire staff is towards a common goal. |
Michael Kidd
Hometown: Brownsville, Texas Nickname: Kidd Things I love: playing/watching baseball, swimming, playing chess, traveling, and the Lord. Dream Vacation: Rome, Italy or Varadero, Cuba Favorite Music: Contemporary Christian, Christian Rap, Today's Top Hits Favorite Sports Team: St Louis Cardinals, and Rice Owls Houston Restaurant Rec: Chuy's or the original Carrabba's Why I Love SSB: The freedom to live out our faith and serve our community through the life-changing pillars of sports, education, and ministry! |
Yesenia Herera-Merchan
Nickname: Yessie Hometown: Houston, TX Things I love: Trying new/ different food, Word games/ puzzles and watching my kids play ball. Dream Vacation: Turks and Caicos Favorite Sports teams: NY Mets, Houston Astros, NY Giants, Houston Texans. Favorite Athlete: Jocelyn Alo, Jose Altuve, David Wright Favorite Music: All types of music Why I love SBB: It gives young athletes a platform and the motivation to strive to go to college or bettering themselves by acknowledging God first. |
Rachel Owens
Hometown: All over! (military) Houston Restaurant Rec: Good Company Cantina Dream Vacation: Anywhere in the mountains. Things I love: reading, and pilates Why I Love SSB: I The opportunity to make a difference in a child's life Email: rachel.owens@springspirit.org |