.

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

Ashti Salih is a dedicated advocate for education, women’s rights, and gender equality. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Political Science, a Master’s Degree in Political Science, and a Diploma of Education in Fine Arts. With over two decades of experience, she leverages her academic and artistic skills to address pressing societal issues.

Throughout her career, Ashti has held key leadership roles, including as a member of Parliament, where she focused on education and women’s issues. She has also worked with organizations dedicated to promoting women’s political participation and empowerment. As Program Manager at the Asuda Organization, she managed education and legal programs for victims of gender-based violence, directly engaging with families to resolve women’s issues. In her role as Field Supervisor for the Reach Organization, she established networks to support women’s participation in Northern Iraq’s economy and politics.

At the Youth Activity Center, Ashti developed initiatives to enhance youth well-being and ensure equal participation for girls. Her early work with UNICEF as a trauma specialist highlights her deep commitment to art therapy and to ensuring equal access to education for traumatized children. Ashti brings over 10 years of classroom teaching experience, further reinforcing her dedication to education.

Fluent in Sorani Kurdish and Arabic, with proficiency in English, Ashti continues to champion women’s rights, education, and gender equality, striving for a more equitable future for all.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

Working at Family Matters holds deep meaning for me because we prioritize what truly matters: education, social justice, and equal opportunities for everyone. At Family Matters, we partner with youth, families, and communities to build strong relationships, foster honest communication, and create safe spaces where deep, courageous social change can happen.

What makes Family Matters so special to me is the way it gives both voice and action to create a more equitable society. Through transformative relationships, education, and leadership development, we make change happen. Together, we’re working toward a world where equity isn’t simply a dream – it’s a lived reality for all.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ashti has been creating art and has loved color since first grade.

Email

ashti(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

Eryn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies from Knox College in 2016.

Since 2018, she has held multiple roles in education, including 2nd-grade teacher, elementary school art teacher, college and career coordinator, and academic counselor. Across these experiences, Eryn has remained dedicated to collaborating with communities and guiding young people as they discover and pursue their passions. A children’s book enthusiast, she especially enjoys weaving literature and art together to create meaningful and imaginative learning experiences.

Outside the classroom, Eryn is a fervent supporter of public libraries, museums, and National Parks. She treasures time with friends, family, and her pup, Rio, and can often be found crafting, wandering through new museums, or curled up with a children’s book or a spooky story. You can also often catch her listening to Ethiopian Jazz with a big mug of tea in hand.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

Family Matters means community. It is a space where we come together to collaborate and nurture one another – creatively, respectfully, and with a shared commitment to growth and connection.

DID YOU KNOW?

I’m brushing up on my Mandarin and working toward becoming fluent again!

Email

eryn(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

Krina earned her bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in 2022. She moved to Chicago in 2023 to pursue a Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction at DePaul University. During her time at DePaul, Krina also worked as a Student Ambassador, welcoming students, sharing university resources, and contributing to a more connected campus experience.

Krina first joined Family Matters in 2024 as an intern with Partners in Learning, working directly with multilingual youth to create culturally responsive educational experiences. We are so pleased to now welcome Krina as a half-time staff member.

Krina deeply values education and is committed to creating opportunities that allow children and young people to explore their interests, express themselves, and grow with confidence.

Working alongside a local comic book shop owner and science enthusiast, Krina co-designed a STEM comic book class that brought together science, storytelling, and art to make learning engaging and accessible. She values the experience as an example of what can emerge when people with different knowledge and perspectives create something together.

Krina uses human-centered research and design to better understand how youth, families, volunteers, staff members, and community members experience Family Matters’ programs, resources, and communications. She collaborates with directors across the organization to identify needs, explore opportunities, and develop thoughtful solutions shaped by the people who experience them.

Outside of work, Krina enjoys journaling, photography, experimenting with new recipes and coffee combinations, and watching movies and series. She is passionate about sustainable fashion. Coming from a family with a heritage in textile design, she has a deep appreciation for textile printing, craftsmanship, and the stories carried through fabric.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

Working at Family Matters means being part of a community where learning begins with relationships and every person brings something valuable. It gives me the chance to listen, learn from different perspectives, and create opportunities with youth, families, community members, and staff. I value being in an environment where curiosity, creativity, reflection, and growth are shared experiences.  

DID YOU KNOW?

Krina can speak four languages!

Email

krina(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

Curiosity may have killed the cat  – and it lit a fire in my soul. As early as four years old, I used my parents’ walls as a chalkboard and the living room as a classroom, reading to invisible children. I see teaching not as a career; it is a “calling”. 

As a native Chicagoan, I chose purpose over prosperity. Throughout this journey, I’ve been seeking to meet the needs of the community through teaching and learning. I have taught in public, charter, and now, private schools. I have degrees from Alabama State University (BA) and Concordia University Chicago (MAT) and endorsements from the University of Chicago and National Louis University.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

Working at Family Matters means my purpose and work are fully aligned. 

DID YOU KNOW?

I’ve been afraid of dogs for most of my life. AND, I recently fell in love with a poodle named Lucy. “I Love Lucy!”

Email

tasha(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org

I was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, where I learned many life lessons and built lasting friendships. My parents were born in Jamaica and immigrated to the USA as teenagers. My parents, my children, and I all attended Evanston Township High School. 

My father was hardworking and taught me, from a young age, the importance of providing for my family. I grew up around our family auto body shop where I loved spending time with my father and brothers and learning the trade. I was always drawn to the colors of the cars we painted and loved seeing the finished results. 

My mother and grandmother played a significant role in my life and taught me to be loving and respectful. As a child, I developed a deep passion for cars, art, music, and food. Food is important to Jamaican culture and I loved watching my grandmother cook. I would often assist her as she prepared meals for my siblings and me.

I have an amazing wife, two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren whom I cherish and enjoy spending time with. We are all foodies and I am passionate about cooking for my family. My wife and I have a big family and we love bringing everyone together. We often host BBQs and holiday dinners where we serve both American and Jamaican dishes.

I find great pleasure in exploring new places, meeting new people, and sharing my experiences with others, especially youth. I believe that by introducing cooking, art, and music to children they can learn the importance of creativity and self-expression as an outlet for the difficulties they may face. Growing up, I faced challenges as a young minority male. I aspire to share my story with youth and to support them in bypassing unnecessary hardships. As a mentor, I will listen to them, and encourage them to dream big and take action toward a bright future.

WHAT DOES WORKING AT FAMILY MATTERS MEAN TO YOU?

Working at Family Matters is a breath of fresh air! And it’s a humbling experience. 

DID YOU KNOW?

I’ve painted and worked on cars my whole life. 

Email

terry(at)familymatterschicago(dot)org