Adam M. Alonso
For over thirty years, Adam Alonso has been a tireless believer in the power of service to youth and non- profits. As a graduate student in social work he founded Corazón Community Services, now one of Cicero leading youth development agencies – and followed that with roles as Director of Youth Services at Casa Central and Illinois Action for Children, Director of Community Engagement for the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and Director of the State of Illinois’ Welcoming Center for Immigrants and Refugees – READ MORE HERE
Andrea Durbin
Andrea Durbin (also known as Andi) has been the Chief Executive Officer of Illinois Collaboration on Youth since 2012. A passionate and life-long advocate for young people, she leads ICOY’s work to children, youth, and their families thrive. She joined ICOY in 2009 as policy and advocacy director – READ MORE HERE
BJ Bechtel
BJ Bechtel is the CEO of Inner City Impact. He has worked with urban youth for over 25 years with Inner City Impact (ICI) in Chicago and Cicero. BJ leads the ICI team in working with communities – READ MORE HERE
Christie Billups
Dr. Christie Billups is an Associate Professor of Practice, Chair of the theology department, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Peace and Justice Studies, and Co-Founder and Director of the Br. Jeffrey Gros, FSC Institute for Dialogue, Justice and Social Action at Lewis University – READ MORE HERE
Susan Buechele
Dr. Susan Buechele, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, IBCLC (she/her) serves as the director of the LUC MNSON SBHC. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Loyola University Chicago in the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing – READ MORE HERE
KC Crino
KC Crino, MDiv, DMin, is an Area Director/Catalyst with One Collective, a global NFP which brings people together to walk along-side the oppressed and vulnerable. As a teacher/trainer/practitioner in Restorative Justice and Small Group Dynamics, KC has worked both domestically and in Latin America – READ MORE HERE
Michelle Desideri
Michelle is a former resident of Cicero and graduate of the local school districts. She obtained her Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Lewis University, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois and most recently a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional – READ MORE HERE
Mariela Estrada
Mariela Estrada, born in Guerrero, Mexico, is the Senior Director of Community Engagement with United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, where she along with a team of Community Engagement Managers support 18 Neighborhood Networks across the Chicagoland region – READ MORE HERE
Beka Flanagan
Beka Flanagan (she/ her/ hers) received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lewis University in 2011, and a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Dominican University in 2016 – READ MORE HERE
Marcela Hernandez
Marcela Hernandez (she/her/ella), MSW, LCSW, is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the LUC MNSON SBHC. She holds a Master of Social Work degree specializing in mental health from Loyola University Chicago – READ MORE HERE
Rachel Hogue
Rachel Hogue, MSW, LCSW (she/her), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at the LUC MNSON SBHC. She studied at the University of Michigan, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Social Work – READ MORE HERE
Joanna Mendoza
Joanna Mendoza is a youth career coach at SERCO American Job Center in North Riverside where she has been a youth career coach for three years. She has been working with families and community partners throughout her career for over twelve years and is – READ MORE HERE
Meghan Meyer
Dr. Meghan Meyer is an experienced school psychologist & school district administrator as well as a former board member for Youth Crossroads & former member of the Cicero Community Collaborative Health and Safety Committee – READ MORE HERE
Pastor Brenda Mitchell
Brenda Mitchell is a pastor, a gun violence survivor and Survivor Membership Lead Volunteer with the Illinois chapter of Moms Demand Action. In 2005 Pastor Brenda’s son, Kenneth, was shot and killed one week after his younger brother Kevin left for his third tour of duty in Afghanistan – READ MORE HERE
Sandra Oestmann
Sandy is a dedicated nurse leader with 18 years of experience in the healthcare industry, currently serving as the Inpatient Director of Nursing at Loyola Medicine-MacNeal Hospital. She holds a Master’s in Nursing Leadership from Aspen University and is certified in nursing leadership. – READ MORE HERE
Asia Ousley
Asia Ousley is a visionary leader, deeply committed to her community, workforce development,
and holistic wellness. As a proud Maywood native, she has made it her life’s work to serve as a
resource and advocate for community advancemen – READ MORE HERE
Michelle Parker
Michelle Parker is a Capacity Building Training Consultant specializing in workforce development and youth engagement strategies. With over 10 years of experience, Michelle has dedicated her career to equipping young people with the skills and resources they need to thrive in competitive industries – READ MORE HERE
Kevin Polky
With more than 34 years of experience under his belt, Kevin Polky is amply qualified to oversee Four Corners Wellness Center, ltd. as both the founder and executive director. He is a licensed clinical social worker, certified alcohol and drug counselor, certified school social worker, and executive coach – READ MORE HERE
Tina Ramirez Moon
Tina Ramirez Moon (they/them) is the Senior Program Manager of Healing and Resilience at the Healthy Communities Foundation. Tina weaves together common threads between individual, community, and organizational resilience, bringing practical insights from prior roles across the nonprofit sector and cultural organizing work. – READ MORE HERE
Jacqueline Rincon
Ms. Rincon MSN, APRN, FBP-BC (she/her/ella) is a Family Nurse Practitioner at the LUC MNSON SBHC. She has worked in community medicine for over 10 years and has a special interest in Adolescent Medicine and immigrant health services – READ MORE HERE
Jackie Wallen
Jackie Wallen is the Associate Vice President of School & Family Services at Volunteers of America Alaska. She earned degrees from Cedarville University, OH and Chicago State University, IL. Prior to VOA Alaska, she and her husband, Joel, served at Youth Crossroads for 11 years – READ MORE HERE