Our Story

Louie’s Kids is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that raises funds to help treat childhood obesity, which afflicts 25 million American children today. Louie’s Kids works to find the best treatment options to meet the needs of each child. We find the fix that fits, one kid at a time.

Founded in 2001 in Alexandria, Virginia and operated today out of Charleston, South Carolina, Louie’s Kids serves economically disadvantaged kids nationwide.

Our Mission

To empower kids to make changes, both physically and mentally, for a healthier & more productive life.

To strengthen the future of the communities we serve by making children better, healthier citizens.

To provide excellent stewardship to those funders who invest their time and treasure in the children we serve.

To provide our employees with challenging and rewarding careers in facilitating healthy changes in children.

Staff

Louis

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Louis Yuhasz was the child of a morbidly obese parent – affectionately named “Big Louie.” Louis’ father weighed 550 pounds at the time of his death in January 2001. Louis founded Louie’s Kids – his very personal crusade to educate as many of the 25 million children suffering from childhood obesity. Today Louis and his staff work with hundreds of children each year in dozens of communities across the country. An esteemed member of the Charleston, South Carolina community, Louis devotes an enormous amount of time, energy and personal resources to Louie’s Kids among other local non-profits. With numerous philanthropic awards and national recognition for his non-profit, Louis is poised to reach an even larger national audience with his message of change and can-do attitude. Louis has multiple degrees in hospitality management and culinary arts and in his spare time enjoys yoga, running and gardening.


Andrea

Andrea is a native of RI. She completed her undergraduate degree in Communications at Boston University. After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles, CA where she worked as an Event Coordinator in the Media Relations Department at HBO for six years, handling all of the Press Events and premiere parties for all of HBO Programming. Andrea then made the move to NYC where she worked as the Director of Event Marketing at MTV Networks. Here she developed and executed destination events and rock shows for advertising sponsors throughout the country. After five years, she made the difficult decision to leave NY and come to Charleston, where she met Louis Yuhasz. She was introduced to Louis, and immediately knew she wanted to be part of this amazing organization and help to make a difference in children’s lives. After one meeting with Louis, she joined the Board of Directors and has recently taken on the role of Director of Regional and National Sponsorships. Andrea has lived in Charleston for four years and is married with a two year old son.

Laura

Laura is a native of Summerville SC. She completed her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition at Clemson University. Laura began as a volunteer with Louie’s Kids in the summer of 2008 and took part in the first Louie’s Kids Fit Club and has since become the Nutritional Coordinator. Laura is certified as a personal trainer through NESTA and has worked as a private trainer and as a group exercise instructor. This past year she has begun to train and compete in figure competitions. She is an avid runner, having completed numerous 5K and 10K runs, in addition to a half and full marathon. Laura enjoys cooking and teaching others how to convert recipes into healthy recipes. Her passion is working with young children to educate them on how to be healthier through better nutrition and an active lifestyle. Laura is eager to continue her work here in Charleston with Louie’s Kids and also hopes to be involved in spreading the good work of Louie’s Kids to other metropolitan areas.

Millicent

Millicent C. Jordan, LPC has over 15 years of experience in the treatment of childhood/adolescent mental health disorders including ADHD, Asperger’s Disorder, Depression, Bipolar, Grief Issues, Divorce Issues, Behavioral Problems, Effective Parenting, & Anxiety Disorders. She is also the owner of Ashley Therapy Associates. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Counseling from Webster University. Millicent is also the Clinical Director for Louie’s Kids, a nonprofit agency who help children who are obese learn healthy life styles, physically and emotionally. The Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina named Millicent a Women of Distinction among the ten honorees for 2010. She was also honored as a Successful Alumni from Webster University in 2011. She frequently speaks to schools and news broadcasts on various Mental Health topics.

Murray

Louie’s Kids, a Charleston based non-profit organization, shares the genuine passion of Murray Young to fight against child obesity. As a trained counselor and the Behavioral Coach for Louie’s Kids, Murray leads the group therapy portion of Fit Club’s after-school sessions. Based on the principals of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Murray introduces the children to the importance of Behavior Modification; identifying issues and emotions connected to their struggles of being overweight or obese. Murray Young is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern whose past experience are telling signs of her genuine passion to be in the “helping profession.” Her education began at the University of South Carolina with a degree in Experimental Psychology primarily focusing in Elementary Education. Murray later moved to Charleston, SC to further her education at the Citadel earning Masters of Arts in Psychology. She has experience working in a mental health facility, college counseling center, and a treatment facility for children victims of abuse.

Tatiana

Tatiana Francis was born in Miami, Fl and raised in Summerville, SC. She received her Bachelor’s of Science degree from Charleston Southern University and will graduate with her Masters of Arts in counseling from Webster University in May, 2012. Tatiana has worked with children since she was old enough to have a job, and loves every minute of it. She spent several years as a Pre-K teacher, and currently works with children with special needs. Helping children heal, grow and learn is what she strives to do. Her personal philosophy about counseling is “a good counselor doesn’t give you the answers but rather forms a trusting relationship with you in order to help you gain insight, process experiences, and become the YOU, that you want to be!”

Board Members

  • Mary A. Zapatka, Chair

    Owner/Operator, The Square Onion

  • Douglas C. Blalock, Vice Chair

    Owner, Bayview Aviation, LLC

  • Andrea Felber, Secretary

    Partner, Perception Wines, MTV Past Director of Event Marketing

  • Fred Wszolek, Treasurer

    Partner, WWP Strategies

  • Linn Lesesne, Immediate Past Chair

    Director of Marketing, Charming Inns and Circa 1886

  • Deborah A. Bowlby, MD

    Director, Pediatric Endocrinology, MUSC

  • Thomas J. Parsell, Jr.

    Attorney at Law | Owner, Hospitality Management Group, Inc.

  • Brad Weingartner

    Insurance and Investment Professional, Intermodal Transportation

  • Gayenell Magwood, RN, PhD

    Associate Professor College of Nursing, MUSC

  • John M. Moloney

    Sr. Director of State and Local Government Operations, Boeing

  • Jennifer Bilbro

    Founder/CEO Out to Eat with Kids