Interns
Matthew Hoffman
Fundraising / Grants Intern
Hello, my name is Matthew Hoffman I am a Senior at Western Illinois University, and I study in RPTA (Recreation Parks & Tourism Administration). I will be a Fundraising intern this spring with CCWF and I am excited to help this program. I love working with the public and making a difference in others life. Some hobbies of mine are I like to Frisbee golf and go for hikes.
Judy Martinez
Education Intern
Judy Martinez is enrolled in Aurora University working on her second Bachelor’s degree in Social work. Her first bachelors degree is in general studio art from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). She also attained an Associates degree in Graphic and web design from Waubonsee Community College. She is focusing on adoptions and fostering within the social work field, She is currently working in a Daycare center as a lead teacher in a toddler room, which inspired her to want to further her education and want to help her community. She enjoys being around children, watching them grow and learn with new experiences; as well as learn new skills herself. Her goal is to work in the field of adoptions and fostering to be able to help the children that need someone to help them out to get ahead in life. In her spare time, when she gets a chance, she likes to spend time with her friends and family, especially her nieces and nephews.
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Jasmine Moore
Administration Intern, Junior Board Member
Jasmine is a recent graduate of Aurora University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She is currently working towards her Masters of Public Administration at Aurora University. Jasmine has various experience in Administration for educational theatres working with Paramount Theatre School of the Arts and New Place Theatre, both local to Aurora, IL. She feels beyond grateful to have the opportunity to work with Changing Children's Worlds Foundation (CCWF) and hone her skills as an Administrator. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys reading and binge-watching Marvel movies.
Junior O Alvarenga-Beltran
SPSS Intern
Junior O. Alvarenga is a senior at the university of New Orleans, studying Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Sciences and a minor in Accounting. He wants to continue his education and gets a master in statistic. He is excited and focused to contribute his knowledge to CCWF's mission.
Katie O'Connell
Education Intern
Katie O'Connell is currently a student at Aurora University, pursuing her Master of Social Work. Her specialization is in school social work, but she enjoys working with individuals of all ages. Her goal is to eventually become an LCSW, with the hopes of being able to help people of all types improve their wellbeing. She has experience working at non-profits with vulnerable populations, including domestic violence support and mental health case management. She is inspired by CCWF's mission and all that they do for their community. She hopes to be able to contribute to positively impacting the future of children and parents at CCWF. Her personal interests include spending time with her friends and family, health and wellness, and babying her dog.
Brianna Phillips
Education Intern
Brianna is an Illinois State University Alum, with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. She is now pursuing her Master's degree at Aurora University, studying Social Work. Her specialization is School Social Work, and her hope is to be working with kids throughout her career. Brianna is also currently working full-time, at a Juvenile Detention Center. She has a soft spot for children of all ages, and wants to help in any way, as much as she can. With any freetime that she has, she loves spending her time with her family and friends, working out and watching sports, and eating good food. She is very excited to begin her adventure here, at CCWF, and cannot wait to see all that she learns and experiences with them!
Michael Gregg
Education Intern
Michael Gregg is a Senior at Aurora University working to get his bachelors and masters to sharpen his skills and expand his understanding of the social work world. Being a hard worker and someone with ADHD he understands the necessity of giving back to the community and helping those in need and hopes to contribute much to helping teens and young adults. He also writes fiction in his free time.
Peggy Hansen
Education Intern
Peggy Hansen is currently enrolled at Aurora University pursuing a Master of Social Work. She is interested in becoming a Licensed Social Worker with emphasis on working with children and their parents and assisting them in building a strong future for their lives. Peggy is working on transitioning from the business field to the social work field, as well she is an ESL teacher and teach children English online to children in China. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking and spending time with her adult children.
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Samantha Culbertson
MSW Education Intern
Samantha Culbertson is a senior at Aurora University in the Master of Social Work Program with an emphasis in child welfare. From an early age her interest in parent-child groups was piqued by her mother's involvement in similar work. Previously an intern for Alive Center, she looks forward to continuing her work with youth and families to help build more effective relationships. She also volunteers at Feed My Starving Children and domestic violence shelters. Her dream is to travel to Africa where she will work with women and children in at-risk and impoverished areas.
Tracie Coleman
Education Intern (Military)
My name is Tracie Coleman. I am in my fourth year at Aurora University getting my bachelor’s and master’s in social work. I would like to work with school children and their families, or I would like to work with military families. In my downtime spending time with my family is something I love to do. I enjoy reading and watching movies. I love to travel seeing new places and learning about new cultures.
Volunteers
Amy Eccher
SPSS
Amy Eccher came to CCWF as a volunteer looking to match her analytical skills and business background with her desire to add value to a great cause. Amy brings passion for analysis, and an enthusiasm to be involved with CCWF. She enjoys providing data insights and new learning that demonstrate the positive impact that CCWF is having in the community.
Amy is the founder of StatCAT Consulting, a company specializing in advanced analytics and market research. She provides insights on many household brands such as Harley Davidson, Callaway and McDonalds. She designs surveys, conducts analyses, and interprets complex statistical and data issues. Her consulting and insights provide strong, analytically founded solutions in many areas of research. Amy has taught in the area of quantitative psychology and conducted numerous statistical training courses.
Amy and her husband live in Geneva with their 3 shih tzu puppies. She has 2 adult daughters and appreciates when they are home and the house is full. In her spare time, Amy loves going to plays and concerts. She enjoys cooking, and therefore also running.
Sudha Ganapathy
Salesforce
Hi I am Sudha Ganapathy, certified Salesforce Administrator with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from India. I would take this opportunity to work on NonProfit Success Pack from Salesforce so CCWF can benefit from it. I am excited to be part of the Changing Children’s World Foundation through which I can contribute to the community. I love travel, photography and painting.
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Jackie Greager
Social Media / Marketing
Jackie Greager is a junior at Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business, currently studying marketing with a minor in international business. She is in the 5 year program, expecting a Masters in Marketing in 2023. She hopes to expand her marketing skills by working with CCWF, while simultaneously making a positive impact on the world. In her free time, Jackie enjoys watching movies, traveling, and shopping.
Laura Hearst
Graphic Design
Lor Hearst is a graphic designer that is inspired by bold colors, new school style, and pop art. She uses her style to create a unique perspective that is both eye-catching and enhances the best features of the product or design
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Antonita King
Education
As a mother of two wonderful sons, Antonita finds joy in motherhood and in her volunteer role despite living with multiple disabilities.
Heather Lengyel, M.A.
Marketing
Heather is a publishing professional who specializes in intellectual property, contracts, subsidiary rights, and content licensing and sales for the U.S. and international markets. Having spent her career with university presses and academic and professional book publishers, she currently manages international content partnerships and licensing opportunities for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s educational business.
After growing up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and earning her B.A. at the University of Michigan, Heather made stops in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Maryland, to earn her master’s degree and further her publishing career. Heather has lived in Geneva for over 10 years, where she is the steward of a Little Free Library, the proud recipient of the 2019 CCWF Champion of Empathy Award, and involved with the Chicago Women in Publishing organization. She is passionate about her rescue dachshunds, as well as Michigan Wolverines sports, yoga, volunteering, California wine country, advocating for people with disabilities, good food and great wine, and traveling with her husband.
Mario Alejandro Mendoza
SPSS
My name is Mario Alejandro Mendoza. I am currently doing my master's degree in Mathematics at the University of New Orleans. I love helping others and contributing to the community. I have a passion for data analysis and statistics. My dream job is to work for an organization that uses data analysis skills for the benefit of the community and the environment.
Christina Padilla
Event Planning / Fundraiser
Christina Padilla is a senior at National Louis University studying psychology. She wants to continue her education through the Master’s level with a focus on clinical mental health counseling. She loves watching movies, drinking coffee and creative writing. She’s very excited to join the CCWF family to reach her educational and career goals.
Jigisha Patel
Salesforce
My name is Jigisha Patel and I am 3x certified Salesforce Professional who is passionate about giving back to society. Being a mother of two kids, I was inspired by your values and mission. I hope my education and previous experience will be helpful and I will make a difference to your organization. I am grateful for this opportunity to work with changing children’s worlds foundation. In my free time, I like to spend time with my kids and family.
Patricia Reardon
Volunteer Coordinator
Patricia Reardon is a retired teacher from the Dominican Republic. She moved to the United States to attend college, where she received her PhD in chemistry and later her elementary teaching degree. She worked as a research chemist and then moved on to teaching. She taught middle school science and more recently Spanish bilingual kindergarten before retiring in 2019. As an educator, she’s an advocate for children and their families. She is excited for the opportunity to work with CCWF. She raised three children and now has three grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, read, sew, attend theater performances, and go for walks.
Chirag Shah
Videographer
Chirag Shah is the President of his own IT Consulting Firm CSAS Enterprises Inc and has 20+ years of experience working in the Fintech Industry. Chirag has a double Masters Degree in Computer Science & Chemical Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL. Chirag is also a professional photographer and loves to capture memories through his camera lens. Chirag is a believer giving back to the Community and working with Changing Children’s World gives the perfect opportunity to fulfill that desire. Chirag would like to use his passion for photography and volunteer his time at Changing Children’s World. In his free time Chirag likes to play football, travel and experience different cultures.
Fasi Siddiqui
Salesforce
Hi my name is Fasi Siddiqui and I am a Certified Salesforce Administrator, with a BS Degree from California State Polytechnic University. I have a passion to serve and appreciate my opportunity to help community through my commitment to the Changing Children’s worlds Foundation. My experience in successfully building teams will prove to be a great asset as I look forward to helping make a difference.
Mallory Woods
Spanish Translator
Mallory Woods is an undergraduate student at Kent State University, where she studies Spanish translation, economics, and teaching English as a foreign language. She has studied abroad in Costa Rica, Spain, and the Czech Republic and has experience interning with an Ecuador-based non-profit. Upon graduation, Mallory aspires to teach English abroad before attending a graduate program for interpreting. At CCWF, she is excited to grow as a translator and learn more about language services in the non-profit sector. Mallory is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with CCWF and looks forward to learning more about its goal of promoting empathy and creating peaceful communities.
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