Ryan is an Assurance Partner in the Health Industries practice at PwC. He has extensive experience providing assurance services to large multi-national companies in the medical device, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and therapeutics industries. < Back Ryan Dwyer Ryan is an Assurance Partner in the Health Industries practice at PwC. He has extensive experience providing assurance services to large multi-national companies in the medical device, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and therapeutics industries. Ryan earned his bachelor and masters degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Accounting and is a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Illinois Certified Public Accountants Society. In his free time, Ryan enjoys watching and playing sports, traveling and spending time with his wife and three children. Why I Serve? Ryan is honored to serve an organization dedicated to helping others by providing a wide range of comprehensive programs designed to positively benefit the community for the long-term. He is inspired by dedicated and motivated staff of “the house” to deliver on their mission and improve the lives of those they serve in the community.

Vachon Harper-Young is Senior Manager of Industry Verticals and Co-Head of BMO for Women, Black, Latinx and Native-owned Businesses which is currently a $300 million, five- year commitment to advancing an inclusive economic recovery through access to capital, free training and resources and organization partnerships. < Back Vachon Harper-Young Vachon Harper-Young is Senior Manager of Industry Verticals and Co-Head of BMO for Women, Black, Latinx and Native-owned Businesses which is currently a $300 million, five- year commitment to advancing an inclusive economic recovery through access to capital, free training and resources and organization partnerships. Vachon was responsible for launching the program in November 2020, developing and delivering business acumen training and collaborating with non-profits and government agencies that compliment the programs goals. She has been in banking for nearly 30 years in a variety of sales and management roles. Vachon earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Communications from Illinois State University and a MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. Why I Serve Cindy Ullrich who I worked with for a number of years at BMO introduced me to the Association House first through a invitation to the annual gala. I was so amazed with the depth of services offered and the many life changing success stories that when Cindy asked if I would serve on the gala committee I immediately said yes. I believe it has been nearly 10 years ago and without hesitation participated every year. I am honored to serve as a AHC board member.

Jeff is the Director of Financial Reporting for Reynolds Consumer Products. He has previously held positions in finance, controllership and public accounting. < Back Jeffrey Brubaker Jeff is the Director of Financial Reporting for Reynolds Consumer Products. He has previously held positions in finance, controllership and public accounting. Jeff has been on the Association House Board since 2015 and has previously served as the Board President and Chair of the Finance Committee. Why I Serve? Jeff is proud to be part of an organization that offers such a wide range of services that have a positive and lasting impact on the community. He is constantly impressed by the dedication of the caring staff who consistently go above and beyond to help those in need.

Students of our Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship got an inside look at careers in substance use recovery, peer mentorship, mobile crisis response, and more. This year, Association House partnered with Cook County Health to create and pilot a new Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship, helping make careers in behavioral health more accessible to people across Chicago. The pilot was created in response to a growing need for behavioral health workers—and a need to connect more people with career paths they may never have encountered before. For people interested in helping others, the field offers many opportunities, from substance use recovery and peer support to case management and mobile crisis response. But without a chance to learn what those jobs actually involve, knowing where to begin can be a challenge. The Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship was designed to help bridge that gap. Over five weeks, participants got a broad look at the behavioral health field. They learned about mental health and trauma, built practical workplace skills, earned Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid certifications, and gained firsthand experience with behavioral health programs and careers. Association House was uniquely suited to offer that big-picture view. Our building is home to a wide range of behavioral health services, allowing participants to see several sides of the field in one place. Through our partnerships with organizations including Family Guidance Center and UCAN, we also created opportunities for participants to explore careers and services beyond Association House. Behavioral Health Director Tanya Wade (right) helped design and instruct the pre-apprenticeship for these grads! “We really wanted participants to know what it looks like to be in behavioral health systems in any capacity,” says Tanya Wade, Director of Association House’s Behavioral Health division. “Wherever we couldn't show it in our building, we developed partnerships that could provide hands-on experiences and potential paths to employment.” Rather than preparing participants for just one type of job, the Pre-Apprenticeship gave them the chance to discover where their interests and strengths might fit. “What we heard over and over again was how much this program really helped our participants understand empathy, their mental health and trauma,” Tanya says. Participants were able to connect what they learned—and what they had experienced in their own lives—to possible career paths. Across its first year, the Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship graduated nearly 50 participants, earning certifications and gaining a clearer understanding of the career paths available to them. Several graduates went on to secure jobs in behavioral health or advance in their existing careers after completing the program and earning their certifications. For Gharin Stansbury, better known in class as “G,” the pre-apprenticeship led directly to a new career. When G began looking for work after college, he had never heard of behavioral health. After meeting Association House staff at a local job fair, he learned about the Pre-Apprenticeship and enrolled. The program introduced him to peer support, a field that quickly caught his interest. “The class was always exciting to go through,” G says. “Ms. Shawny and Ms. Tanya always brought so much good energy into the class.” He especially valued learning skills such as active listening and setting boundaries—skills he says he can use both at work and in everyday life. Our second graduating cohort of the Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship discovered new career paths together. While enrolled in the Pre-Apprenticeship, G was connected with Family Guidance Center through Association House. That connection led directly to his first job in behavioral health, where he now works as a Support Specialist in peer support. “I didn't have any background in this field at all, but I got a job through the connection with Association House,” G says. G’s story shows what can happen when people are given access to opportunities they may never have encountered on their own. He entered the program without knowing behavioral health was a career option. He left with a better understanding of the field, new skills, professional connections and a job in a career he enjoys. That is the larger promise of the Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship: putting education, experience and career connections into the hands of people who may not otherwise have a way into the field. By helping participants understand the work before choosing a path, the program can make behavioral health careers feel more visible—and more attainable—to a wider range of people. For G, the advice is simple for anyone considering that first step: “Go in with an open-hearted and open mind, ready to learn something.” As Association House reflects on the first year of the pilot, the experience has shown the value of creating new ways for community members to discover their potential—and for Chicago’s behavioral health workforce to welcome new talent, perspectives and lived experiences. ■

Last year, Mary celebrated 7 years on the Association House staff. While working with us, she became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The best investment we can make in our community is investing in the people who serve it. Every year, Association House staff participate in professional development opportunities that help them sharpen their skills, deepen their expertise and grow as leaders. This year, that commitment led to some remarkable milestones, from advanced clinical licenses to specialized counseling certifications that are already making an impact for participants. For Behavioral Health Supervisor Mary, professional development has been part of a much longer journey—one that began long before she joined the staff. A participant at Association House before becoming an employee nearly nine years ago, Mary continued pursuing higher education while working full time. She earned her associate's degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree in social work before completing nearly two years of clinical supervision and passing the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam on her very first attempt. Mary is one of the most familiar faces at the House. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout graduate school wasn't easy, but Mary says one advantage was already having years of real-world experience working with participants. "I was already doing the work," she said. "I had the experiential knowledge, I had the practical employment knowledge, and then I got the educational knowledge." Today, Mary's LCSW allows her to practice independently, review and approve clinical documentation, and begin building a private therapy practice alongside her work at Association House. But even with those new responsibilities, she continues seeking supervision and learning from colleagues—a reflection of the growth mindset that's guided her career from the very beginning. Her story has come full circle. After first walking through Association House's doors as a participant, she now helps lead the very kind of care that once supported her own recovery—proof that investing in staff growth doesn't just strengthen careers; it creates leaders who understand firsthand the impact compassionate services can have. That same commitment to growth and service inspired Visions Coordinator and Counselor Lawrence to pursue his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential this year. Lawrence brings something especially meaningful to his role: lived experience. Now nearly two decades into his own recovery journey, he knows firsthand the courage it takes for participants to walk through the doors of the Visions Substance Use Disorder Program. "Eighteen years ago, I made a conscious decision to say, 'In order for me to change my life, I have to change the way I think,'" Lawrence said. Lawrence is a source of inspiration for the substance use recovery participants he serves. Recovery transformed the course of his life. After becoming active in the recovery community and volunteering for four years at Association House, he eventually joined the organization as a staff member. Today, he helps participants navigate substance use treatment through a harm reduction approach rooted in empathy rather than judgment. Earning his CADC strengthened the work he was already passionate about, giving him another tool to support participants as they work toward recovery. But for Lawrence, credentials have never been the ultimate goal. "I don't want to be part of a system that just shuffles people through because of paperwork," he said. "I need to be able to make a difference, but I need to also see the difference that I'm making." Those moments come in many forms: a participant rebuilding relationships with family, maintaining sobriety, finding stable housing, or simply beginning to believe that a different future is possible. "When you see the gleam in their eyes, when you hear the sincerity in their voice, that's when you know something has changed," Lawrence said. Having broken a multigenerational cycle of addiction in his own family, Lawrence understands that every participant's success has a ripple effect far beyond the individual. "There is life within recovery," he said. Like Lawrence, Behavioral Health Counselor Jacqueline earned her CADC while serving participants in the Visions program, where she combines clinical expertise with a deeply person-centered approach to care. Although Jacqueline had long planned to become a therapist, substance use counseling wasn't originally the path she expected to take. While in graduate school, she entered the field through a specialized program and quickly realized she'd found her calling. "I almost fell into it, but ended up being really passionate about that specialization," she said. "I realized I have a lot of personal experience with it, and it's a lot more prevalent than people even realize. I think it's important to bring awareness to it." Jacqueline leads group substance use counseling in our Visions program. While studying for the CADC exam, Jacqueline was simultaneously putting those lessons into practice with Visions participants every day—a combination she says made both her work and her certification stronger. Today, her master's degree in counseling psychology and CADC credential allow her to approach participants from both a mental health and substance use perspective. She says those two disciplines are inseparable. "It's not one or the other—they work together," Jacqueline said. "Having both perspectives allows me to view each person more holistically." That philosophy shapes everything from the groups she facilitates to one-on-one counseling sessions. One lesson has stayed with her throughout her education: "Focusing on the person and meeting them where they're at," rather than trying to "fix" someone or decide what recovery should look like for them. Working at Association House, she says, makes that person-centered approach even stronger. "I think that's the best thing," Jacqueline said of the organization's holistic services. "People are able to explore resources for jobs, housing and continuing mental health care. It's a holistic program versus just focusing on substance use." Mary and other members of the Behavioral Health team celebrating at least 5 years of service with the House. Whether it's achieving independent clinical licensure after years of dedication or earning specialized counseling credentials that deepen their impact with participants, each of these accomplishments reflects something bigger than individual milestones. Professional development at Association House isn't just about checking a box or adding credentials after a name. It's about strengthening the people who strengthen our communities. Every certification earned, every new skill developed and every new perspective gained ultimately comes back to the participants who walk through our doors looking for opportunity, support and hope. ▪

This summer, LUCHA welcomed Haley Aldrich as part of the Illinois Housing Council Emerging Leaders Internship Program (ELIP), a new initiative designed to prepare the next generation of affordable housing professionals through hands-on experience with housing organizations across Illinois. A graduate student at the University of Chicago pursuing dual master's degrees in Social Work, Social Policy, Social Administration & Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management, Hailey came to Chicago with a passion for connecting homelessness advocacy and affordable housing. We recently sat down with Hailey to learn more about what brought her to LUCHA, what she's learned through the internship, and why she's excited about the future of affordable housing in Chicago: What excited you about LUCHA? Hailey: I moved to Chicago last August to pursue my master's at the University of Chicago. My background is in homelessness advocacy—I worked directly with people experiencing homelessness, particularly at the intersection of gender-based violence and housing instability, and later moved into legal and policy advocacy. I think there is room for the homelessness advocacy world and affordable housing developers to connect on a deeper level, learn from one another, and collaborate to expand access to affordable housing in a way that centers the communities they serve. A fellowship introduced me to the Illinois Housing Council, which led me to the Emerging Leaders Internship Program. I already knew a little about LUCHA through community organizing work, but once I learned more about LUCHA's history—and saw that "Housing is a Human Right" is literally part of its identity—it just felt like the right fit. Learning about LUCHA's partnership with Association House made it an even stronger fit. Bringing affordable housing together with organizations already providing direct services to residents is incredibly smart, and it's exactly the kind of collaborative model I believe in. Hailey at the Illinois State Capitol at an advocacy day with the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness What makes Chicago such an exciting place to do this work? Hailey: Chicago feels like a place where these conversations are happening in a really meaningful way. There's a shared understanding that affordable housing and homelessness require local, community-driven solutions. I was especially drawn to the University of Chicago's social work program because it emphasizes work at the individual, community, and policy levels. Community organizing sits right at that intersection, and that's exactly where I want my career to be. There's still plenty of work to do, but Chicago feels like a city that's willing to ask difficult questions and invest in finding better solutions. What has your internship looked like so far? Hailey: It's been a little bit of everything, which I really appreciate. I've been sitting in on weekly construction meetings and learning the technical side of affordable housing development—everything from funding sources and financial documents to understanding projects in both pre-development and construction phases. At the same time, a huge part of my work has been documenting LUCHA's institutional history. I've been interviewing residents, former executive directors, current and former board members, and longtime staff to better understand how the organization has evolved over nearly 45 years. Hailey and Christian (left), one of her LUCHA internship program mentors. What I find really interesting is that many affordable housing developers focus primarily on development itself, but LUCHA has always balanced that technical expertise with deep community organizing. Seeing how those two priorities have worked together over time has been fascinating. I've also had the opportunity to connect with Association House staff to think about how services can become even more integrated for LUCHA residents. Every week feels different, and I feel like I'm getting to experience every side of the work. Have any conversations stood out during your interviews? Hailey: One thing that keeps coming up is how long people stay connected to LUCHA. It seems like once people enter LUCHA's orbit, they tend to stay there because the organization approaches its work in such a thoughtful and community-centered way. It's been really inspiring to see how LUCHA continues to evolve while staying true to its mission. Where do you see momentum in affordable housing, and where is there still work to do? Hailey: I'm encouraged by organizations that are thinking beyond the standard 30-year affordability timeline and asking what housing can look like 100 years from now. Groups like the Here to Stay Community Land Trust are helping push those conversations forward, and I'd love to see more long-term thinking become the norm. I also think there's still an opportunity for affordable housing organizations and homelessness advocates to work more closely together. Those fields have so much in common, and if they continue aligning around shared goals, they'll become an even stronger force for change. Hailey and the rest of the LUCHA team celebrate at a community gathering event for our newest housing project, La Herencia. What advice would you give to future LUCHA interns? Hailey: Say yes to as many opportunities as you can. There are so many people at LUCHA and Association House who are incredibly knowledgeable and well connected. Every meeting, every site visit, every conversation is a chance to learn something you didn't expect. In just 12 weeks, I feel like I'm getting so much more out of this experience than I ever imagined. I'd recommend this internship to anyone interested in affordable housing or community development. ■ -- Learn more about LUCHA at lucha.org.