< Back Monica Gonzalez ​ Coming soon...

< Back Damaris Acevedo Director of Child Welfare Damaris currently oversees the Child Welfare Division, which provides quality services for more than 200 active family cases, including foster care, intact family services, and adoptions. She is a Licensed Social Worker with an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services license and is 402 & CCA certified. Since 2005, Damaris has worked in the Child Welfare Division and began her tenure as a foster care case manager. Damaris attended the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Jane Addams School of Social Work, where she received her Bachelors of Social Work; and received her MSW from Dominican University. Damaris also obtained her LCSW in 2017. Damaris is passionate about helping families, and her commitment is to ensure we treat every participant with dignity and respect regardless of what brought them to our program. She says her work is difficult but very rewarding. ​ ​

< Back Tanya A. Wade Clinical Director Since 2014, Tanya has served as our Clinical Director where she monitors program performance, provides clinical supervision and direction, and ensures participants receive high-quality clinical services and care. Tanya is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and originally joined Association House as a Continuity of Care Coordinator in May 2013. Tanya graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. In 1998, Tanya moved to Chicago and received a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago. Tanya then honed her clinical skills as a trainer, diagnostician, and therapist within Child Welfare and Community Mental Health. Tanya works at Association House because she has a personal commitment to clear the path for participants and staff alike to realize their full potential. She believes that Association House leads by example; opens doors, encourages ideas, nurtures healing, and empowers change. ​ ​

< Back Filiberto Rios Director of Community Health and Workforce Development Filiberto serves as Director of Community Health and Workforce Development Programs. He oversees community health education and intervention initiatives, as well as workforce development and technology training programs. He has over five years of experience developing and implementing programs to assist underserved, racial and ethnic minority, and at-risk urban populations. Filiberto originally joined Association House in 2006 as an Americorps Volunteer. Filiberto holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Spertus Institute. I strongly believe that Association House continues in the settlement house tradition of working toward a healthier community. I am proud to work with a dedicated team, who work to empower and elevate residents in areas of education, mental health, and employment. ​ ​

< Back Jaime Garcia Senior Director of Human Resources Jaime oversees Association House’s Human Resources Department. He manages everyday operations, plans, develops, modifies, and consults human resources policies and procedures to benefit the administration, federal/state employment regulation compliance, and recruitment. He joined the organization in 2003 as a part-time Human Resources Clerk and with much dedication, Jaime gained tremendous experience and knowledge, leading him to where he is today. He attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management. Jaime also has an MBA from National-Louis University along with a certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from DePaul University. He is also an active member of the Greater Chicagoland Not-for-Profit Human Resources Directors Group. He is inspired by the mission of the organization and the services that the staff provide to individuals and families in the community. ​ ​

< Back Lillian Bui Senior Director of Development and External Affairs Lillian Bui (she/her) proudly serves as Development Director, setting fundraising and external affairs strategy for a team responsible for raising more than $2 million in private funds annually. Lillian brings 15 years of experience in non-profits of all sizes and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), an international credential earned by demonstrating mastery through education, professional practice, and performance. Before Association House, Lillian served as the first full-time development staff person at the AZA-accredited Pueblo Zoo. There, she completed an eight-year capital campaign and grew the program from a one-person shop to a four-person team inclusive of fundraising, marketing, events, and membership. Her collaborative and strategic approach drives organizational efficiencies and growth. She believes in the power of vision and transparent communication and is dedicated to helping others reach their goals. An ambitious and avid learner, Lillian holds a Masters of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Lake Forest College. Humboldt Park holds a special place in Lillian’s heart, as she began her professional career as an AmeriCorps volunteer with City Year Chicago at the former Lafayette Elementary at the intersection Augusta and Washtenaw. As a fundraiser, she is passionate about growing programs that address the economic, educational, and racial disparities that keep people from reaching their fullest potential. She believes in building relationships and treating all people with dignity. ​ ​

< Back Michael Barnes YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago ​ ​ ​

< All Staff Ms. Michelle Greene mgreene@associationhouse.org FLP Supervisor How long have you been a supervisor? I have worked here as the supervisor since October 2021 but I've worked with children and in a school setting since 2016. What inspires you in your position? What inspires me is knowing that my job takes away one of the many barriers that come along with being a teen parent while trying to finish school. I love being able to provide parents with resources that they aren't always aware is available to them and help them realize they are their child's first teacher. What is one fun fact about yourself? I'd like to think I'm a professional at Karaoke. Related Content Afterschool Programs Learn More Mentoring Programs Learn More Curriculum Learn More

< Back Ronald W. Kurz ​ Ronald received his Bachelor’s in Economics from Miami University and an MBA in Finance from Northwestern. His livelihood has been as a stockbroker for A.G. Becker, Smith Barney, and RBC. Most recently, he has begun a one-man investment management shop. Why I Serve? Ronald was introduced to Association House as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Evanston. The Director, Hank Murray, turned out to be his high school Youth Minister. He lured Ronald in because he found that the work they were doing in job training, job placement, and life skills was the most important thing you could do. Fifty-four years later, Ronald is still invested in the House because it continues to get people into life-sustaining positions. ​ ​

< Back Jourdan Sorrell ​ Jourdan Sorrell is the Senior Manager of External Affairs at Comcast Corporation. In this role, he leads Comcast's foundation giving and a broadband internet adoption program with school districts and other organizations sponsoring families internet at home for the company's Greater Chicago Region. His work focuses on initiatives that ensure everyone has connectivity and builds their digital skills to participate and excel in an increasingly digital economy. Before Comcast, Jourdan served as Director of Public Policy for Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore, 4th District. In this role, he provided policy guidance on the 2020 Census, contract compliance, criminal justice reform, and real estate development. He also worked in the Cook County Clerk's Office, LINK Unlimited Scholars, and the Chicago Community Trust. He is active in civic organizations such as the 100 Black Men of Chicago and the United Way of Metro Chicago's Corporate Social Responsibility Executive Committee. He serves in nonprofit leadership roles as Board President of the South East Chicago Commission and founding President of the Rotary Club for Social Impact and Equity. Jourdan earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame. Why I Serve? Association House of Chicago is a key nonprofit partner that helps provide social services and improve the quality of life for Chicago’s Black and brown community. I believe in the organization and how it shows up for people, and proud to serve on the board to advance its goals and objectives. ​ ​

< Back Juan Carlos Linares President and CEO Juan Carlos Linares is the President and CEO of Association House of Chicago, where he is inspired by the team’s dedication to serving the thousands of participants that rely on the House annually, and its 124-years history in stabilizing the lives, households, and communities it serves. Born in the Humboldt Park community and raised in Bellwood, Juan Carlos is an attorney and has held leadership in nonprofit, government, and civic roles over his 21-year career, and is also a part-time educator. From a mixed-immigrant household– his mother from Peru and his father from Guatemala– Juan Carlos himself participated in social service programs, sustained in his youth through food pantries and attending bilingual early education programs. These experiences motivate Juan Carlos to lead the House in celebrating its history, fostering its growth, and serving its communities toward strong, stable, and equitable futures. ​ ​

< Back Pat Brown ​ Pat attended University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and received her Master’s in Journalism. She also holds a certificate from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business for completing the Ellen Gabriel Fellows Leadership Development Program. Before retiring, Pat was the Executive Accelerators Managing Director at Deloitte. She also served as the Deputy Global Research Director for the CFO Program and is a facilitator for the program’s CFO Transition Lab™. Prior to joining Deloitte, Pat held various communications and marketing positions with other professional services firms and financial institutions. In those roles, she supported a range of practice areas and business development, working at local, national, and global levels. ​ ​