Adriana has been working with SWOP since 2012 as a leader and became full-time SWOP staff in 2015 as Community Organizer. Since then, she has become the IL Statewide Parent Mentor Program Administrative Director. In her role, Adriana connects immigrant families on the southwest side of Chicago to trustworthy citizenship and DACA legal services for free and low cost as well as citizenship classes. Adriana also supports leadership development efforts and is part of the Parent Mentor Organizing team which supports 20 local schools to build parent engagement. Adriana is the lead vocalist for the local band “Quinto Imperio” whose music focuses on the lived experience of the Latino immigrant community.

Alfredo Alviar started at SWOP in November 2022 and is the Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator. His job is to promote resources and opportunities to advance in the workforce to community members. In his free time, he enjoys running and has done 15k marathons

Alina started at SWOP in August of 2014 where she began as an Office Assistant and continues to work in the same position. Alina spends her time filing, processing checks and doing reports for all the programs involved in SWOPs work. In her free time, Alina loves spending time with her children and takes pride in being a mom.

Ana Laura started as a Parent Mentor in September of 2011 and began working as a Parent Mentor organizer in 2015 before becoming the Parent Engagement Institute Lead Program Support Manager. She assists in preparing the curriculum for the Parent Mentor Program and works on assisting parent mentors on the implementation of the program. Ana Laura loves to paint, design, and create things in her free time, and it helps her de-stress.

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Armando has been working with SWOP since September 2020 as a Case Manager and spends his time at his job finding resources and opportunities for individuals who deal with an abnormal amount of risk factors in their life to insure, they have the chance to live a successful life. He also organizes events and uses them to engage the community as well as work with victims of violence to help them get the resources they need to feel supported. Armando used to like to do a lot of hip-hop breakdancing and creative art.

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Asim has been a part of SWOPs CP4P team since October of 2021 as an Outreach Worker to help individuals reincorporate themselves back into society when they come home whether that is acquiring a GED or job. In his free time, he likes spending time with his grandchildren and making sure that they are living in a way that they can be proud of.

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Briana Washington started at SWOP as a Chicago Connected Organizer in August of 2020 and has since become a Digital Equity Organizer. Her work involves reaching out to families that are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as well as providing digital literacy classes. In her free time, she likes to make candles, write poetry, and play video games.

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Calvin began working with SWOP in February 2020 as a Case Manager for CP4P. His primary role since then has become System Program Director where he works with the schedules, managing the Case Managers and Outreach Workers, aiming to maintain the overall professionalism of the office. In his free time, Calvin loves going to karaoke and has a passion for coaching youth football and mentoring.

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Carlil originally was introduced to SWOP in high school through the VOYCE Project in January 2010 and joined as a Community Organizer for SWOP in November 2018. His roles have him focusing on the youth organizing and public safety aspects of SWOPs work. Carlil is also Executive Director of his own nonprofit organization, Good Kids Mad City Englewood, and enjoys bowling.

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Carlos originally began working with SWOP in November of 2019 as a Teen Reach Coordinator, returning as an Outreach Worker for SWOP’s community violence intervention team, CP4P, in July of 2023. In his position, he facilitates conversations between leaders in different communities while also working with at-risk youth to guide them in pursuing opportunities aimed at benefiting them and teaching them new skills. In his free time, Carlos enjoys playing different sports.

Carlos began working with SWOP as a Chicago Connected lead in August of 2020, having been familiar with SWOPs work years prior, but began working as the Communications Organizer in April 2022. Carlos’s work revolves around the upkeep of content for the SWOP website and social media platforms. In his free time, Carlos enjoys drawing, gaming, and singing.  

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Chris has been working with SWOP since July of 2016 where he continues to work as the Director of Operations. Chris spends his time working around fundraising, HR policies and the background work of the organizing process so that others can focus on organizing. Chris describes himself as a huge St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.

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Corey Trainer began working with SWOP on February 1^st, 2024, as an Outreach Worker for SWOP’s community violence intervention program, CP4P. In his position, he will be working closely within the community to bridge gaps, build relationships and actively assist others with living their lives in a way they can be proud of.  In his fre time, Corey enjoys working out and he has always had a close relationship with animals.

Daniel has been working as an Outreach Worker for SWOP’s anti-violence team, CP4P, since April 2023 and speaks on his passion to help those in his community that have been directly or indirectly affected by violence. He feels this work is necessary because he worries about what our community would be like without programs and people like CP4P. Daniel compares his commitment to being like that of a firefighter because he is always on call when it comes to the services and needs of his community. 

Dantay has been working with SWOP since February 2020 as a Teen Reach Program Coordinator but has since become a Youth Organizer. He describes his job as connecting with youth via 1 to 1’s, providing support as well as giving them opportunities through career pathways, training and connecting them with others who can assist them. He is also in charge of bi-weekly SWOP kickbacks. In his free time, Dantay likes gaming, streaming, and making funny videos.

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Diego began working with SWOP on November 3^rd, 2023, as the HR/Grant Coordinator. In his position he administrates the care of SWOP’s employee's needs from hiring to onboarding and accompanying them through their time with SWOP. In his free time, Diego enjoys hiking and attests to his time of walking the St. James’ Way in Spain of over 500 miles in 33 days.

Doris began working with SWOP on November 16^th, 2023, as CP4P’s Victim Advocate. In her position, she works closely with victims of violent crimes and being a resource for both victims and their families. She will also be working closely with CP4P’s Outreach Workers to build connections with the community so that she may better serve them. In her free time, Doris enjoys spending time in the gym and is a mother to twins.

Edith has been working with SWOP since August 2006 as the Director of Finance. Edith budgets and runs the finances for SWOP and handles the organization's administration. Edith enjoys spending time with her family, reading and teaching others about her religion in her free time

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Elena has been with SWOP since October of 2022 and works as SWOPs bookkeeper. Elena supports SWOP through financial statements, budgets, and overall funds that go through SWOP. In her free time, Elena loves spending time with her family and watching movies together as well as cooking.  

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Enrique has been working with SWOP as a member of CP4P since March 2021 as an Outreach Worker but has become a Case Manager since then. Enrique describes his job as going out and reaching out to at-risk individuals to get them the resources they need to change the path they are on. He also works to get them the mental health, housing and schooling opportunities that they would need in order to pursue their own paths. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, watching sports, and playing chess.

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Harry has been working on SWOPs board since 1996 during its founding but began working as an official member of SWOP in July 2013. Harry currently works as SWOPs Director of Vacant Property Reactivation where he spends his time managing the reclaiming southwest housing process which includes surveying the community and researching vacant properties to acquire and reoccupy them. He also assists in offering rental assistance as well as outreach in explaining community members' rights when facing eviction. In his free time, Harry enjoys fishing and riding his bike.

Ignacio began working for CP4P in January 2021 as a Case Manager. He likes to focus on outreach work and assisting at-risk individuals in getting jobs, getting off the streets and keeping them out of trouble. In his free time, Ignacio enjoys working out and taking naps.  

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Imaltzin began working with SWOP in August 2020 and became an Organizer under the Chicago Connected program in February 2022, since then having become a a New Americans Initiative Organizer & Digital Equity Organizer. As an Organizer, Imaltzin teaches digital literacy classes in Spanish and connects eligible families to the Affordable Connectivity Program. In her free time, she enjoys the art of macrame and cares for her three cats.

Imelda has been working with SWOP since February 2007 and currently works as a Community Organizer. Imelda describes herself as someone who organizes and builds power via relationship building and outreach within the community. In her free time, Imelda enjoys going to church and continuing to build relationships with other people.  

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Jasmine was familiar with SWOPs work in her teen years and began volunteering with some of their initiatives until she became an official staff member in September 2016. Jasmine’s current position has her focus being organizing issues around public health. Jasmine owns a modest record collection with a particular distinction for Stevie Wonder’s “Song from a key of life” .

Jeff has been Executive Director of SWOP since 2002 but has been organizing in the Chicago area since 1989 and utilizes his time as director working on organizing issues across the spectrum of the organization.  In his free time, Jeff enjoys reading.

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Jessica has been working with SWOP since November of 2018 where she came in as the Southwest System of Care Organizer and while she still works on the Southwest System of Care, she is now the Director of Healthy Southwest. She leads a collaboration of 6 neighborhood schools and more than a dozen social services, to coordinate resources and services for families in schools. She also leads a collaborative of 8 community lead organizations and support them in building hyper local collaboratives in their own southwest side community areas, identify issues of importance in their areas and developing strategy to address those issues. She also supports the navigation of teams of community navigators and public health ambassadors who act as the pillars of this work. A fun fact about Jessica is that she has been to Paris on a sabbatical where she met with community leaders and learned about their work. She also enjoys reading and cooking.

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Joel began working at SWOP in 2011 as a Youth Organizer working in VOYCE to address the school to prison pipeline in Chicago Public Schools. Joel currently works as a senior community organizer focusing on helping lead the workforce development initiative, youth organizing and police accountability work. When not working, Joel spends his time as a father of 3 boys and a young girl and enjoys doing D.I.Y projects with his wife.  

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Jose began working with SWOP on January 3^rd, 2023, as an Outreach Worker for CP4P. He aims to promote, facilitate and provide resources and education to those in need. He also wants to assist people in understanding what CP4P provides for their community and guide future generations down a different path in life that isn’t street life. A fun fact about Jose is that he is very creative. He loves to draw, paint, do art and loves sports.

Keana first began working with SWOP around 2009 and although she maintained many different positions, she currently works as a Case Manager with SWOPs anti-violence team. Her job involves working with 2^nd chance citizens to get acclimated back into society by giving them the resources and opportunities that they need. A fun fact about her is she is afraid of sunflowers.

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Magdalys started at SWOP officially in September of 2022 as a Parent Mentor Program Financial Assistant but had been working with SWOP as a Parent Mentor since 2005. She assists SWOPs financial manager with the organizing of funds statewide for Parent Mentors. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, singing, and attending concerts.

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Mayra has been working with SWOP since September of 2007 and officially became staff in 2019, working as a Parent Engagement Institute Program Support Manager &

SWOP Ladders of Opportunity Director. She works with the parent engagement institute that manages the Parent Mentor Program statewide and oversees 6 partner organizations. In her free time, Mayra enjoys spending time in nature and exploring new talents.  

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Priyanka became a part of SWOP in August 2022 as a HCEZ Health Equity Organizer. In her position, Priyanka focuses on leading and conducting program activities connected to the Southwest Chicago's 13 neighborhoods, ensuring the vision of the Healthy Chicago Equity Zone (HCEZ) work is informed by community resident input. Direct collaboration with Community Leads and community-based organizations as well as supervision and strategy for and with Public Health Ambassadors and PHA team leads with the goal to execute on the objectives of the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and ensure that there is an increase in overall health equity outcomes across the Southwest Chicago region. In her free time, she loves traveling, playing tennis, and using photography and writing to express herself.

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Quabeeny first learned about SWOP when participating with Teen Reach in 2008 and became SWOP staff as an Employment Organizer in November 2021. He primarily focuses on conducting intake with job seekers, goal setting and connecting them with a work partnership that fills their criteria. A fun fact about Quabeeny is that he works full-time and goes to school part-time.

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Rafael has been working with SWOP since December 2020 as a Case Manager/Resource Coordinator with SWOPs anti-violence team, CP4P. He strategizes opportunities for at risk young people and shows them the support they need to follow a path that leads to a successful life. In his free time, Rafael focuses on self-healing and sports.

Rafi began working with SWOP in March of 2003 as part of the Ceasefire program and currently works as the Site Director of CP4P. Rafi likes to view himself as a problem solver as he assesses the needs and situations of the community in order to figure out how best to navigate CP4P to reach the needs of the community. In his free time, Rafi likes to skydive.  

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Raul began working with SWOP on November 16^th, 2023, as SWOP’s Financial Audits Assistant. In his position, he will be assisting with the day-to-day auditing of grants, checking guidelines and ensuring that all aspects of future grants are in order. In his free time, Raul enjoys watching movies and playing sports.

Tamir has been working with SWOPs anti-violence team CP4P since October 2022 as an Outreach Worker, focusing being a consultant, encouraging a full, healthy lifestyle by using leadership development and mentoring and this is promoted through the method he calls “Fitness Through the Martial Arts”. He also manages a session called “School to Work” with young participants from the academic world and introduces them into the world of work via life skills. Tamir is an avid fan of martial arts, loves to skate, and DJs.

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Ruby first started at SWOP in November of 2019 where she managed and continues to manage the finances of the Parent Mentor Program on the statewide level although she was familiar with SWOP years prior. In her free time, she likes to do a lot of D.I.Y projects and enjoys baking, cooking and photography.

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Sam began volunteering with SWOP in July of 2016, but officially became an employee in February of 2020 as a Data Manager and has become Assistant Administrative Director of CP4P since then. His job primarily is to manage the database that his team uses to catalog their work, help supervise the team and facilitate the work with Cook County’s SAVE program as well as whatever task is needed to help make sure the team’s work is supported. His favorite activity to do is travel to see his siblings and hangout at the lake front.

Sherri got her start at SWOP in 2015, working with the Parent Mentors as a coordinator and currently works as a Community Organizer with the Parent Mentor program. In her free time, Sherri loves to travel and loves to watch mystery shows.

Tara began volunteering with SWOP in October of 2013 as a Parent Mentor and currently works as the Parent Mentor Program's Data Projects Manager. Tara has retained the skills to organize events but spends most of her time collecting data for the Parent Mentor program and working with the salesforce database. In her free time, Tara runs her own photography business and loves watching movies and listening to music.

Tenesha began working with SWOP on February 1^st, 2024, as a Parent Engagement Institute Program Support Manager. In her position, she oversees various member institution schools connected to SWOP on the local level, aiming to bring success to each school she connects with. In her free time, she loves dancing, listening to music and specifically loves praise dancing.

Trina has been working with SWOPs anti-violence team, CP4P, since September 2021 as an Outreach Worker. She describes her work as going out in high-risk neighborhoods to reach high-risk individuals to assist them in getting back into school, work or seeing if they need any mental health assistance for both male and female community members. Trina enjoys spending time with her grandkids, doing hair and is a licensed cosmetologist.

Yulissa began working with SWOP on November 1^st, 2023, as an Outreach Worker with the aim of taking on a teaching and guiding role to those around her. She wants to use this opportunity to grow and show others the different paths and opportunities available to them. In her free time, Yulissa loves spending time with her nephews.