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Meet our High School staff that's creating long-lasting change in the lives of our students. Learn more about our High School team. High School Staff Mr. David Pieper (He/Him/His) Principal Read More Ms. Gabriela Arriaga (She/Her/Hers) Registrar Read More Ms. Amiracle Harris (She/Her/Hers) Substitute LB1 Teacher - Diverse Learner's Department Read More Ms. Martha Aguirre-Miranda (She/Her/Hers) FLP Aide Read More Mr. Santiago Duran (He/Him/His) School-Based Counselor Read More Mrs. Terra Metz (She/Her/Hers) Math Teacher Read More Ms. Danielle Saguiped (She/Her/Hers) WIOA/YES Mentor Read More Ms. Michelle Greene (She/Her/Hers) FLP Supervisor Read More Mrs. Tiana Thomas (She/Her/Hers) Assistant Principal Read More Ms. Sabrina Benchaabane (She/Her/Hers) Substitute Teacher - Psychology & Science Read More Mr. Matthew Noack (He/Him/His) Social Studies Teacher Read More Mr. Ernesto Bautista (He/Him/His) After School Instructor Read More Ms. Kendra Hogan (She/Her/Hers) Post Secondary Mentor Read More Ms. Lucy Myerscough (She/Her/Hers) English Teacher Read More Ms. Janely Salgado (She/Her/Hers) RSP Mentor & Aventa Lab Coordinator Read More Ms. Myriah Pair (She/Her/Hers) LBS Read More Ms. Jemina Lyle (She/Her/Hers) School Culture & Climate Coordinator, YS3 Mentor, STLS Liaison, Student Advisor Read More Ms. Demia Fisher (She/Her/Hers) Culinary and Health Instructor Read More Mr. Maurice Render (He/Him/His) Dean of Students Read More Ms. Sonia Bernate (She/Her/Hers) FLP Aide Read More Ms. LaKim Lockett (She/Her/Hers) YMP Mentor & Aventa Lab Coordinator Read More Mrs. Maribel Ortega-Vazquez (She/Her/Ella) Compass Mentor, Academic Advisor & Department of Student Support Services Coordinator Read More Ms. July Bayasgalan (She/Her/Hers) Social Worker Read More Ms. Maria Roman (She/Her/Hers) Receptionist, Attendance Clerk Read More Related Content Curriculum Learn More Mentoring Learn More Family Literacy Program Learn More After School Programs Learn More

Meet our Workforce Development team that's creating long-lasting change in the lives of members of our community. Learn more about our Workforce Development team. Workforce Development Staff Filiberto Rios (He/Him/His) Division Director Read More Luz Hernandez (She/Her/Hers) Senior Financial Careers Facilitator Read More Zola Zeigler (She/Her/Hers) Intake and Data Entry Specialist Read More Tenoch Ang (He/Him/His) Lead Culinary Training Facilitator Read More Dean Martin Career Navigator Read More Hind Mustafa Elbanna (She/Her/Hers) Technology Training Program Supervisor Read More Sherri Richardson (She/Her/Hers) Senior Financial Careers Facilitator Read More Related Content Referral Form Learn More BankWork$ Learn More Tech#Ready Learn More Kitchen Learn More

Meet our Community Health team that's creating long-lasting change in the lives of members of our community. Learn more about our Community Health team. Community Health Staff Filiberto Rios (He/Him/His) Division Director Read More Myra Rodriguez (She/Her/Hers) Community Health Supervisor Read More Related Content Mental Health First Aid Learn More Health Education Learn More Food Pantry Learn More HIV Testing Learn More

Sinai & her son Emmanuel share a hug at her culinary graduation ceremony. Emmanuel, 3, is a pretty famous kid at Association House. He’s one of the most familiar faces in the building—always smiling, always in motion, waving to staff and participants wherever he goes. Every Halloween, he’s reliably in the running for best dressed. He’s been part of our community for nearly his whole life. While his mom, Sinai, worked toward her high school diploma just a few floors up, Emmanuel spent his days in a place filled with care, structure, and play—growing up alongside the very people that were helping shape his future. Sinai's journey with education had a tough start. A high school freshman at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, she felt little motivation to take school seriously while it was entirely virtual: she soon dropped out. Emmanuel came just a few short years later, and Sinai found her priorities had changed overnight-- she wanted to give her son everything he deserved . "I had no credits at all from school. I was starting from nothing and I was 17. But when I heard about Association House High School it seemed like I could get it done ," she shared. What made the difference was Association House High School's Family Literacy Program (FLP)-- which provided all-day child care for Emmanuel starting from when he was only 6 months old. For Sinai, our high school's flexible schedule , reduced credit requirement , and extended graduation timeline was indispensable-- but she says the people she met in the building made an even greater difference. "All the teachers really got to know my son, and they understood how important he was. They all call him papi . At a regular school, you'd never get to have your kid around. I'm the type of mom who wouldn't want my kids to be around anyone else but me-- I just trust everyone here," Sinai said. With the peace of mind that her son was in good hands, she was able to focus on her education and secure her diploma this past June-- but FLP also allowed her to have quality parent-child time during her hectic schedule. "All of the kids & moms went to a pumpkin patch together, a kids' museum , we'd take the babies on a walk around the neighborhood," she said. "It felt so good to graduate, but honestly, I knew right away I was going to miss it. I can talk to everyone there about anything. " Sinai and Emmanuel (left) with the other families in FLP at Goebbert's Farm and Pumpkin Patch. After graduation, Sinai wasn't the only one who missed the House . Emmanuel moved on to a new daycare program in the months that followed, but it proved to be a difficult transition. "He told me, 'No, I don't like it here. Take me to my school.' I felt so bad for him because we couldn't go back, so I talked to Ms. Greene, my son's teacher in FLP-- and she told me about the culinary program." Sinai always had an affinity for cooking, sharing a passion for Puerto Rican & soul food, but the Culinary Career Training program at Association House seemed like an exciting way to take it to the next level. Plus, FLP was available to students of the career training programs too, just like it had been in high school . Emmanuel was thrilled to be back. Emmanuel was very impressed with his mom during graduation! For 9 weeks, Sinai learned the ins and outs of new cuisines , kitchen safety , and job search skills for a career in food & hospitality. She credits her outgoing classmates, and the expertise of her instructor, Chef Tenoch Ang, with motivating her throughout the course. "Honestly, everything we did was my favorite part," she said. "When I was still in the high school, I'd smell what the culinary students were cooking in the hallways and be like, that smells sooo good. I was so excited when I got in there." Now, after graduating from the culinary program, Sinai's on the hunt for her first job in the industry, and on the hunt for a new daycare for Emmanuel that can compete with his FLP family. "I'd love to work at a hospital as a chef," she told us, with excitement and confidence in her voice. "Or maybe in a hotel? Whatever picks you, that's what it is. It takes time, but the right thing will come. " In the background of our call, Emmanuel’s laughter carried through the room—as bright and unmistakable as ever. ■ -- Learn more about enrolling at Association House High School here , and get details about the Family Literacy Program .

It's time! Join us for an unforgettable evening at Faces of Hope  on June 11, 2026, at Lacuna Lofts.  Together, we will celebrate Association House and the people who power our mission to advance each person's full participation in the life of their family, community and society. Together, we’re creating pathways to better health, education, economic opportunity, and expanding access to affordable housing through our partnership with LUCHA. Be part of the celebration and secure your spot today! Early Bird tickets are available through April 30. Plus, advance raffle ticket purchases for our Miami Getaway Prize Package are on sale today too! Escape to white sandy beaches with a stay at the McAlpin Hotel—a Hilton Grand Vacations resort. Enjoy up to five nights for up to four guests, perfectly located on iconic Ocean Drive in Miami Beach’s world-renowned Art Deco District. With only 100 chances to win , don’t miss out. Secure your entry today— $100 for one ticket or boost your odds with three tickets for $250 . See you this June for another epic night! Get all the details at associationhouse.org/facesofhope .

For our Auxiliary Board, making time to give back to the city they call home is about more than fundraising or raising awareness: it's about becoming a better citizen, and learning to lead with compassion above all. Each year, corporate volunteers from across Chicago join us at Association House High School for Career Readiness Day : a crash course in interview skills, resume building, and industry knowledge led by insiders. Our students gain new strategies to stand out in a job market that gets more competitive and challenging every day; and our industry-leading volunteers learn what's really on the minds of young people making their first steps into the working world. Many of our volunteers have gone on to join our Auxiliary Board-- a dedicated team of Chicago professionals who take the time to participate in experiences like Career Readiness Day, and help address fundraising gaps by engaging their professional network directly. We spoke with three members of our Aux Board -- Tayler, Zach, and Kristina-- about what keeps them excited about our mission, and why the work feels so important as we kick off the new year. What drew you to Association House, and what keeps you here? Zach : What drew me in is how unique the model is. The wraparound approach, where support doesn't end just because one goal has been achieved, rang true with what I felt was needed to combat poverty and inequality. But what keeps me here is that this place is relationship-centered. Before the numbers, everyone is a person first. Tayler : It's easy to stay invested because the House is so dynamic. The world changes, and the House changes with it. I helped with Career Readiness Day three years ago, and now on the Aux Board, I have a hand in so much more than just the high school. It's special to be part of a place that's so open and welcoming to you being involved -- somewhere that really wants you to learn the ropes. When did you first see the impact in real time? Kristina : Seeing students evolve — looking at their resumes from a year ago to now — it’s incredible . You see the confidence. You see the new experiences they’ve added. You see them applying what we talked about. Zach : Last ye ar, I met a senior who saved the arts program at their last school by lobbying Chance the Rapper for a $25,000 grant, and it worked. And she just mentioned it casually while we were doing a practice interview. We went off-book from there. I was like, "Every interview question you get from here on out — just bring it back to that story. Redirect to something you actually love to talk about. " I volunteered at her graduation ceremony later that year and she remembered me. That full-circle moment — that’s when you feel the difference. High school senior Sheri (left) picks up interview tips from Sandi at the Chicago Community Justice Foundation during Career Readiness Day. Why is showing up for this work so important right now? Tayler : There are so many issues you could point to. It can cause analysis paralysis. But partnering with an organization that’s actively doing something — that’s how you move from feeling sad about a problem to being part of the solution. Zach : I can’t fix national policy myself. But this work exists in a building, in a neighborhood, serving real people. That makes it actionable. The antidote is hope — but hope in the form of opportunity. You can’t do good schoolwork if you’re hungry. You can’t focus if you don’t have childcare. The wraparound model removes those barriers so young people can invest in their future. Why do small, individual donations matter so much? Tayler : When I think about my commute, it’s simple. I get in my car, and drive. One student told me she can’t use childcare services because taking two toddlers on the CTA is too difficult. So when we're putting our fundraising campaign together, and I hear that $25 covers transportation for a week — that’s a huge deal. If she can’t get here, she can’t graduate. Kristina : Being here in person, speaking with students, looking at their classrooms, I see what's important: books, computers, transportation. But without unrestricted support, placed in the care of people who know what students need best , those gaps can go unaddressed. This spring, our Auxiliary Board is fundraising for Association House High School, finding support for the things our students need most. A one-time donation of $25-$1000 can make a massive impact at every level of our high schoolers' experience. Will you join our Aux Board in opening doors for young people in Chicago?