Executive Director
Cheryl Torres
Cheryl joined our team in January of 2018 as the new Director and has experience in fostering attachment in families. Cheryl has a BA in Psychology from Rockhurst University. Upon graduation Cheryl served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps as a counselor of older adults with chronic and severe mental illness. The following year, Cheryl served as a foster mother to medically fragile infants and children from severely neglectful homes. Cheryl was then hired as a foster care caseworker in August of 2005. Cheryl served Casa De Esperanza Des Los Ninos as a Foster Care Worker, Training Foster/ Adoptive Parents and Adoption Coordinator over 6 years.
Cheryl is married for 14 years to Jason and has 5 children. Peter, Nathanael, Andrew, Joseph and Abigail.
Cheryl cherishes the opportunity to provide a sanctuary for amazing families who do so much for their children. All of the effort is worthwhile when she sees one kid smile and build a wonderful memory with their family or make a new friend!
Coordinator of Hospitality & Animals
Kristen Sohn
Kristen joined our team in February 2019 and has experience in professional maid services, childcare and animal husbandry. Kristen has two teenagers: a son, Kaleb, and a daughter, Kathryne. Kristen has a big heart for animals and has had lots of pets, farm animals, and rescue animals during her life. Her favorite animal is a dog, but horses are a close second.
Kristen enjoys being apart of Elijah’s Retreat and being able to make a difference in the lives of the amazing children. All of the hard work is worthwhile to her when she sees the impact it makes on these wonderful families! This place has given Kristen a purpose and, many new friendships and this opportunity has been a very fulfilling part of her life.
Administrative Assistant
Priscilla Muniz
Priscilla joined our team in April of 2023 as the new Administrative Assistant. Priscilla has an AA in Psychology from Tyler Junior College and is pursuing her BS in Psychology. Priscilla worked for our local Children’s Advocacy Center for five years where she gained her experience and passion for working with children and families of all walks of life.
Priscilla has three children: Julian her oldest; Jay her middle son; and Joey her youngest. Her three boys keep her very active and spending time together browsing for new books is one of her favorite things to do with them.
Priscilla is excited to join our team and looks forward to working with our staff to keep Elijah’s Retreat going and growing to be able to provide more families facing autism the opportunity to be themselves and create life-lasting memories.
Coordinator of Equine Services
Katie Raney
One of the newest members of our team, Katie, began assisting and leading our mini-equine sessions at Elijah’s Retreat in 2022.
Before life at the Retreat, Katie pursued a career in education and has over 15 years of teaching experience. After receiving both her BA and MA in English, Katie taught English at the high school and college levels, infusing her classes with a love of Shakespeare
and poetry.
She loves to learn new things and in the past year has learned to start flowers and vegetables from seed, muck horse stalls, and play the ukulele (as long as the songs stay in the key of C).
When she’s not corralling her own four children (Lincoln, Brody, Callahan, and Meara), she’s rounding up the Retreat’s three horses (Honey, Harvey, and Mary) and winning their affections with carrots and ear rubs.
Coordinator of Maintenance & Construction
Brian Raney
Welcomed to our team in 2021, Brian functions as our Swiss-army knife, handling whatever situations come up at the Retreat.
Brian serves as the volunteer\homestead coordinator at the Retreat.
Prior to coming to the Retreat, Brian served as a minister for 12 years. He has decades of experience working with parents and children. He has earned a Bachelor’s of Biblical Counseling.
He enjoys sports, fixing things and hanging out with his family.
With 4 kids, he stays busy but strives to make time to help others as much as possible.