Kyle is a current student at Aurora University seeking his Masters in Social Work and received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology.  He has previously interned for Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County as a site based intern.  His goal in the social work field is to work with at risk children and their families in order to help create a better future for their lives.  In his free time, Kyle likes to spend time with his girlfriend, cook, and play paintball.

Intern

Dahlia has over 20 years’ experience in social services and with a variety of needs.  Dahlia has worked with diverse populations, persons with intellectual disabilities, child welfare experience, mental health, and substance abuse needs.  Dahlia provides Spanish speaking and culturally responsive services for individuals and families.  She works with and as a team, building upon personal strengths in your journey to a healthier self and family.  She can also help parents better understand how normal child/adolescent development, coupled with any complex traumas and experiences can impact their sense of self and family functioning. With her experience working with substance-related issues, in combination with her knowledge of treating mental health needs, she is adept at understanding the ways in which each can impact the other.  These skills further enhance her ability to create a plan for treatment that will assist with the greatest empowerment and life improvement.

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. 

Intern

My name is Hannah Isiminger, and I am from Aurora IL. I am currently attending Aurora University pursuing a Master of Social Work. My goal is to be a licensed clinical social worker, but I still have a lot of learning ahead of me! I am also currently a full-time employee of Total Spectrum, an applied behavior analysis therapy company for children on the autism spectrum. I am a senior registered behavior technician, and I love working with my kiddo's! I am excited to join the Changing Children's Worlds team as it is a very different perspective than my current job. I mainly work with children, but I feel that with this internship I will be able to better understand struggles parents go through while raising their children.

Intern

Xenia J Kozlov, ethnically Ukrainian, spent the most part of her life in Moscow, Russia. In 2002, earned Bachelors degree in Russian language and Russian literature at Moscow State Pedagogical University. In 2005, got Masters degree in Russian literature, thesis “Modern typologies of the artistic consciousness”. She has worked as a journalist, author and editor. In 2009, she attended Moscow Gestalt Institute but had to interrupt because of moving to the United States in 2011. In 2015, she entered New England College and in 2018, got BA in Psychology. Currently, the proud student of Adler University, Chicago, studying Psychology with focus on Gender and Sexuality. She is married and a happy mom of two sons. Orthodox Christian. Feminist. Her hobbies include: drawing, music, creating costumes, and photography.
 

Intern

Born and raised in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Khulan is currently enrolled at Aurora University pursuing a Bachelor of Business Marketing.  While at Aurora University, she worked on multiple projects on consumer behavior, social media marketing, and sales process plans. Khulan believes childhood is the most important stage, which shapes a person’s future. That is why she is excited about joining CCWF and be a part of a wonderful team while sharpening her skills. She is also interested in going back to her country where there is a lack of support from the government and makes a difference through the knowledge and skills that she gained from her CCWF internship program.

Intern

Suzanna Vasko is currently a graduate student at Adler University working within their Master of Arts in Counseling & Art Therapy program. Her undergraduate studies were focused around the importance of intersectionality and the intertwining, reciprocal nature between consciousness and creativity. As an artist, activist, and therapist in progress, her passions have always surrounded advocating for children & mental health in creative ways. Her hobbies include: coffee, comedy, painting, and experimenting with funky art materials.

Intern