Care to Learn promotes Melissa Rea to new leadership role

Melissa Rea will work with school leaders to support students.

Melissa Rea, who joined Care to Learn in August 2017, has moved into a new role that aims to strengthen school partnerships.

She will be the vice president of chapter services and work directly with superintendents of area school districts to grow the reach of the nonprofits’ chapters and make sure they are operating efficiently.

“Care to Learn’s chapters are the heart of our mission, and I’m honored to support the incredible educators and volunteers who work every day to meet students’ most basic needs,” said Rea, in a news release. “I’m excited to build on the strong foundation already in place, expand our ability to help more children, and ensure every chapter has the tools, training, and support needed to make a lasting impact in their communities.”

The Springfield-based nonprofit partners with more than 45 Missouri school districts. Founded in 2008, it was created to meet children’s emergent health, hunger and hygiene needs.

Rea has served in multiple roles including Springfield chapter services specialist, clothing closet coordinator, Springfield chapter services coordinator and director of chapter services.

Under her leadership, the Care to Learn Clothing Closet Program, an initiative to provide on-site closets full of clothing staples and hygiene products for students, has grown and is now available at every Springfield Public Schools site.

“Melissa brings a deep commitment to Care to Learn’s mission and a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our partner school districts,” said Krystal Simon, CEO of Care to Learn, in the release. “Her leadership will continue to be instrumental in strengthening our existing Chapters and helping serve even more students.”

In 2023, Springfield Business Journal recognized Rea with a 40 Under 40 award.