11/18/2025

Sonya Thesing Is Helping the Hous Foundation's Mission to Get More Kids in Extracurriculars

The veteran nonprofit leader continues her advocacy work at a new organization

As nonprofit leaders navigate burnout from emotionally draining work and leave the sector, Sonya Thesing has continued to advocate for children through another nonprofit leadership role.

After five years as the executive director of Huckleberry House, Thesing is now helping to lead the Hous Foundation, a nonprofit that provides $500 scholarships to enable children to participate in extracurricular activities. The program operates in Ohio and Maryland, where the nonprofit’s co-founders live. Gus Niewenhous and Kelly Cullum started the foundation after their sister and her two children lost their lives to domestic violence.

Launched in 2022, the Hous Foundation originally supported other nonprofit organizations before starting the scholarship program in 2024. Thesing joined the Westerville-based organization as its first executive director in January 2025 to help it expand the initiative.

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