Executive Director Report
Rita Kahn: Executive Director
Letter from Executive Director:
We have lots of exciting new staffing changes happening at HOPES this Fall! I look forward to great things ahead as we grow our program capacity, rebuild our volunteer network, and continue to make strides in the use of technology to support student growth.
As of September 1, Erica Walker was promoted into the newly created position of Program Director. In this role, Erica will maintain and builds strong relationships with shelter, community and enrichment partners, oversee program data management, and lead expansion efforts within and outside shelters. I am so pleased to have Erica Walker’s expertise in this inaugural role for HOPES. Also as of August 1, we have two Program Managers. Mel Whitehouse has been promoted to Program Manager for K-5th grade program, and Alex Galvan to Program Manager for Literacy Leaders, our 6th - 9th grade program. This will significantly increase our capacity to bring HOPES programs to more sites and children. I am thrilled to have the talents of Mel and Alex leading our program development and site coordinator teams. In addition, Alex Kirchner has been promoted from Development Administrator to Development Manager after taking on an expanded role including our grant management program, social media, corporate fundraising and events. Alex has demonstrated an amazing capacity for growing and leading our most essential development efforts. I am also thrilled that our VISTA member, Phil Katz, will be continuing his service with HOPES for another year in the role of Program Technology Coordinator. This past year, he implemented our Lexia reading system, partnered with CPS to make hotspots available to our families, aided shelters partners in gaining wi-fi access, and is now piloting a HOPES virtual tutoring platform. We are so grateful for his many contributions and thrilled to have him with us for another year of service.
We also have two new additions to the HOPES staff team. We are excited to welcome Jennifer Harden-Finn as our Volunteer Manager. She brings a diverse set of skills with her including community outreach, marketing, staff training and management, and fundraising. She has extensive experience building and growing community partnerships including North Avenue Business Association, OPRF Chamber of Commerce and Austin Coming Together (ACT). She is described by her past co-workers as a fearless advocate for social justice. The Outreach and Family Engagement Administrator position has been accepted by Deborah Perez, who just completed a year of AmeriCorps service with Chicago HOPES for Kids. In her year of volunteer service with HOPES, Deborah designed and developed programming for K-12 youth with a focus on special projects that promote leadership, community and social justice. She also created bilingual newsletter content for families. She has a passion for arts-based therapy and is excited to bring that passion to the HOPES parent program.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Chicago HOPES for Kids and children experiencing homelessness.
Best,
Rita Kahn
Executive Director
Chicago HOPES for Kids
We have lots of exciting new staffing changes happening at HOPES this Fall! I look forward to great things ahead as we grow our program capacity, rebuild our volunteer network, and continue to make strides in the use of technology to support student growth.
As of September 1, Erica Walker was promoted into the newly created position of Program Director. In this role, Erica will maintain and builds strong relationships with shelter, community and enrichment partners, oversee program data management, and lead expansion efforts within and outside shelters. I am so pleased to have Erica Walker’s expertise in this inaugural role for HOPES. Also as of August 1, we have two Program Managers. Mel Whitehouse has been promoted to Program Manager for K-5th grade program, and Alex Galvan to Program Manager for Literacy Leaders, our 6th - 9th grade program. This will significantly increase our capacity to bring HOPES programs to more sites and children. I am thrilled to have the talents of Mel and Alex leading our program development and site coordinator teams. In addition, Alex Kirchner has been promoted from Development Administrator to Development Manager after taking on an expanded role including our grant management program, social media, corporate fundraising and events. Alex has demonstrated an amazing capacity for growing and leading our most essential development efforts. I am also thrilled that our VISTA member, Phil Katz, will be continuing his service with HOPES for another year in the role of Program Technology Coordinator. This past year, he implemented our Lexia reading system, partnered with CPS to make hotspots available to our families, aided shelters partners in gaining wi-fi access, and is now piloting a HOPES virtual tutoring platform. We are so grateful for his many contributions and thrilled to have him with us for another year of service.
We also have two new additions to the HOPES staff team. We are excited to welcome Jennifer Harden-Finn as our Volunteer Manager. She brings a diverse set of skills with her including community outreach, marketing, staff training and management, and fundraising. She has extensive experience building and growing community partnerships including North Avenue Business Association, OPRF Chamber of Commerce and Austin Coming Together (ACT). She is described by her past co-workers as a fearless advocate for social justice. The Outreach and Family Engagement Administrator position has been accepted by Deborah Perez, who just completed a year of AmeriCorps service with Chicago HOPES for Kids. In her year of volunteer service with HOPES, Deborah designed and developed programming for K-12 youth with a focus on special projects that promote leadership, community and social justice. She also created bilingual newsletter content for families. She has a passion for arts-based therapy and is excited to bring that passion to the HOPES parent program.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Chicago HOPES for Kids and children experiencing homelessness.
Best,
Rita Kahn
Executive Director
Chicago HOPES for Kids
