Meet the Team

Ann attended the University of Chicago, majoring in Ecology and Evolution.

Ann and her family moved to Rogers Park in 2009. She has worked in the neighborhood since 2010, joining a group that was launching Rogers Park’s farmers market, the Glenwood Sunday Market (GSM). Ann worked as the founding GSM manager for eight years as part of her work on the staff team of 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. She became a full-time member of the Family Matters family in 2019.

Ann is a year-round bike commuter, composting enthusiast, and volunteer sewist for Community Glue, a volunteer-led community repair clinic.

What does working at Family Matters mean to you?
At Family Matters, there is a sense that anything is possible. My work here fulfills my desire to collaborate deeply and creatively with the community.

Did you know?
I was born on the same day that Sally Ride traveled into space, becoming the first female astronaut. My dad is a hobby astronomer so this piece of trivia is deeply ingrained in my personal history. I believe that is what sparked my interest in science, a passion that continued through my college career and beyond.

Email

ann(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Brooke received her BA in Global Studies from North Park University in 2013. She was born and raised in St. Louis and believes that growing up with four sisters has been one of the most formative ingredients of her personality and values.

Brooke currently resides in Lincoln Square with her spouse and two cats, Thatch and Otter.  She has a penchant for traveling- near and far. 

She finds sustenance in experiencing and observing the environment and animal and plant behavior. Her deep joy of walking has evolved into becoming a novice birder.

Brooke wrote her first poem when she was seven years old and she has continued to write poetry ever since. 

What does working at Family Matters mean to you?
I enjoy the opportunity to create, and participate in, meaningful spaces with youth, mentors, staff, and parents. And it’s a gift to call my colleagues “friends!” 

Did you know?

Brooke has played the violin since third  grade.

Email

brooke(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Carolina attended Loyola University and received her master’s degree in social work.

What does working at Family Matters mean to you?

Family Matters has a strong team and we all work together to support the youth and their families. Family Matters provides space to build healthy relationships with the staff and the community. 

Did you know?
Carolina enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. She also enjoys exploring new places, biking, and taking nature walks.

Email

carolina(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Chris has a graduate degree in Education and brings to Family Matters a wealth of leadership and expertise in that field. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to enhancing the student experience, creating links to the community, and supporting innovation. Chris has a deep passion for filmmaking, and under his tutelage the youth at Family Matters have completed a number of projects on social issues selected by the youth, including Making Waves, Silence the Violence, She Said, Jail or Yale, and Let’s Face It: Facial Recognition Technology Matters.

Chris is a father to two wonderful young adults, Briana and Jacob, and to an English Bulldog named Champ.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?
Informed by our foundational Principles of Leadership, Family Matters uses a social justice lens to support the children, youth, and families in Rogers Park. The opportunity to make tomorrow’s world better by developing leaders today is what drew me to Family Matters. I believe the investments of time, energy, and resources in our neighborhood youth will pay enormous dividends in the future.

DID YOU KNOW?
Chris was born in England and was raised in Canada by Jamaican parents.

Email

chris(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Haddie received a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Emerson College in 2022. She was a paraprofessional at Oakton Elementary School in Evanston for the 2022-23 school year, working with individual students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. 

Haddie was born and raised in Rogers Park and moved back into the neighborhood shortly after graduating. She is very outgoing and enjoys riding the CTA anywhere and everywhere that it will take her. She is very close to her family and loves to stay busy. 

What does working at Family Matters mean to you?

Working at Family Matters gives me the opportunity to learn from, and grow with, the community. It allows me to connect with people, hear their stories, and become more involved with the neighborhood. It excites me to be able to learn from youth, parents, and other staff team members, as well as to make mistakes together in a judgment-free zone. Family Matters is, as its name says, a true family that anyone would be fortunate to be a part of. 

Did you know?

Haddie has been taking pottery classes for over 14 years and has been attending the annual Family Matters Walk-a-thon since she was just six weeks old!

Email

haddie(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

I moved to Chicago from Mexico when I was 15 years old, and since then I have lived in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. I’m currently pursuing a B.A. in Accounting.

I have more than 20 years of administrative experience, and I was a community organizer for two years. I am fluent in Spanish, written and spoken, and I can hold a brief casual conversation in American Sign Language.

I have a 19-year-old daughter who is hard of hearing; her primary language is American Sign Language.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

I feel very blessed and excited to work at Family Matters. The work that Family Matters does on education connects to issues that are very important to me and to which I am committed. To me, education adds freedom to our lives.

DID YOU KNOW?

For 20 years, I practiced Mexican Folklore dance.  I enjoy going to the movie theater and especially appreciate historical epic films and biopics. I also enjoy traveling; my favorite place to go to in Illinois is Galena. 

Email

juana(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

The Family Matters family has been Kim’s family since its inception in 1987. Kim came to Chicago from Nova Scotia, Canada, having received her Masters of Divinity, and she has worked with neighborhood residents ever since her arrival.

Kim lives with two unique and deeply loved cats and her husband, Dan (and her two children, Haddie and Caleb, whenever possible). She prefers bare feet over shoes, and her greatest joys in life are spending time with family, weight-lifting, “flying” on aerial silks and the trapeze, working with people on the Principles of Leadership, learning from podcasts, and hearing people’s stories.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?
Family Matters encourages risk-taking and understands mistakes as opportunities for learning. It is forward-thinking and deeply committed to the community. Family Matters provides a supportive, brave, and proactive space for me to continually learn and grow. It consistently seeks to be blame-, shame-, and judgment- free. I believe that I am accepted and loved by the Family Matters family. The most dedicated, conscientious, creative, and caring people I know work and volunteer here. Every day at Family Matter brings me some measure of joy, and I give thanks daily that I am able to work in this place with these people. As a former Family Matters participant once said, ‘That’s what I love about Family Matters. It’s all joyous and stuff.” It is the place that I call home.

Did you know?
Kim has jumped out of an airplane.

Email

kim(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Patty received her BA in Spanish from NorthEastern University and Masters Degree in Bilingual Education from Quincy University. She has over 15 years of  teaching experience in bilingual classrooms. She was born and raised in Chicago in the Rogers Park neighborhood. 

Patty currently resides in the Old Irving neighborhood with her husband, her son Diego, and her spoiled Shih-Tzu Rosie. She enjoys traveling and  meeting new people from all walks of life. She loves coffee and spending time with family and friends. 

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

I love being back in my childhood neighborhood and being a part of such a great place as Family Matters. My vision of what education could look like for children is totally aligned with The Family Matters School: giving children and youth the opportunity to be themselves by exploring, asking questions, and growing up to be leaders. That is exactly what brought me here. I am excited to be a part of Family Matters.

DID YOU KNOW?

Patty lived in Texas for six years. Every summer she would drive 14 hours in one day, with her son and dog, to Chicago to spend time with her family and friends. 

Email

patty(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Tabitha received her B.S. in Hospitality from Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Before working at Family Matters, Tabitha worked in hotels, living in such cities as New Orleans, Boston, and Providence, with her most memorable experience being in New York, working at the Waldorf Astoria. If you ask her, she may tell you about the actors and diplomats she met.

Tabitha has a very dog-like cat named Nissa who allows Tabitha to live with her through gritted teeth. Tabitha volunteers at Islamic Oasis, tutoring refugee girls aged 8-16 years old.

What does working at Family Matters mean to you?
Family Matters is truly a place open to everyone. We do our best to make sure that all experience that they are welcomed and heard. That requires that we be open to accommodating each person’s individual needs.

Did you know?
Tabitha is obsessed with K-dramas and, as a result, all things South Korean. She is currently planning a trip to Seoul, Taiwan, and Tokyo to view the sights and experience the culinary wonder that is Asia. Can anyone say, “Omakase!”

Email

tabitha(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Trinida received her B.A. in Psychology, with a specialty in Applied Behavior Therapy  (ABT). She is a licensed teacher.

Trinida has been married for 34 years and has three adult children and one granddaughter.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

Family Matters  has an internal culture that promotes progressive and innovative teaching practices and a deep commitment to the mission of truth-to-self. I am proud to work at Family Matters because it provides youth and families with invaluable wide-ranging opportunities for personal and community development. The school provides community-focused  learning that addresses the needs of each child. 

DID YOU KNOW?

I am a graduate of Washburne, a well-known culinary arts school.  I love to observe and  paint trees. The giraffe is my favorite animal. My favorite color is green.

Email

trinida(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org