< Back Dominic Elizondo delizondo@associationhouse.org Junior Culinary Training Facilitator What education or prior experiences do you have related to workforce development? I have always been in a kitchen. I remember when I was younger, cooking with my father on the weekends was one of the things that I looked forward to. I have been in the kitchen since. What about your work inspires you? I have several loves in my life. Two of my bigger ones are cooking and teaching. The opportunity that I was given here has combined those and afforded me the chance to live out my dream. What's a fun fact about yourself? I love to read and write. I have had several professions throughout the years and have gained a lot of experience over that time. It took me several decades to finally realize that this was my calling. Related Content BankWork$ Learn More NextJob Learn More Tech#Ready Learn More

< Back Tenoch Ang tang@associationhouse.org Lead Culinary Training Facilitator What education or prior experiences do you have related to workforce development? I graduated with an Associate Degree in Culinary Education and a Bachelor's degree in Commerce. I have over 30 years of experience working in the culinary field in many places such as the Salvation Army, Calphalon Culinary Center, Illinois Institute of Arts, and more. What about your work inspires you? Since I was 18, I have loved to cook, bake, and travel exploring the food of the world. Through cooking, I want to be able to be of service to the community. I love to teach and share my experiences to people who don't have the financial resources to take up culinary. What's a fun fact about yourself? I love learning different languages. I speak Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Taiwanese, Chinese Fookien, Pilipino or Tagalog, English and am currently honing my Spanish. I was a professional Folkloric Dancer when I was in college, and a martial artist with a specialization on jitkundo. During my free time or weekends, I explore the food of new restaurants. My favorite dish is paella. Related Content BankWork$ Learn More NextJob Learn More Tech#Ready 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 Training Facilitator Read More Casey Moulton (He/Him/His) Digital Navigator Read More Diana Guzman (She/Her/Hers) Data Entry & Intake Specialist Read More Dominic Elizondo (He/Him/His) Junior Culinary Training Facilitator Read More Edwin Serrano (He/Him/His) Building Trades Instructor Read More Hind Elbanna (She/Her/Hers) Associate Director, Workforce Development Programs Read More Beatrice Siler (She/Her/Hers) Senior Career Navigator Read More Walker Coleman (He/Him/His) Career Navigator - Clean Energy & Building Trades Read More Katy Damken (She/Her/Hers) Case Manager Read More Jose Vela (He/Him/His) Culinary Training Aide Read More Sherri Richardson (She/Her/Hers) Senior Training Facilitator Read More Dean Martin (He/Him/His) Career Navigator 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 Otis Brown (He/Him/His) Building Trades Instructor Read More Related Content Referral Form Learn More BankWork$ Learn More Tech#Ready Learn More Kitchen Learn More

< Back Zola Zeigler zzeigler@associationhouse.org Intake and Data Entry Specialist What education or prior experiences do you have related to workforce development? I have over a decade of experience working in a non-profit environment and doing data entry. What about your work inspires you? I like the services that Association House of Chicago provides for the community. I'm thankful to play a role in that process. What's a fun fact about yourself? I love poetry, going to the beach when the weather's nice, and things that bring out my creative side. Related Content BankWork$ Learn More NextJob Learn More Tech#Ready Learn More

< Back Luz Hernandez lhernandez@associationhouse.org Senior Training Facilitator What education or prior experiences do you have related to workforce development? I hold over 28 years of employment experience and I am fluent and bilingual in both English and Spanish. My professional work experience includes Human Resources, Recruiting/Staffing, Retail Customer Service, Non-for-Profit Services, Retail Banking and Mortgage Lending. I also have a Bachelor Degree in Business, a Associates Degree in Travel and Tourism. I started working in the financial services industry when I was 16 yrs old through a work study program and placed with one of the “Big Five” accounting firms in downtown Chicago which was an amazing life changing experience. What about your work inspires you? The work I do is rooted in a strong desire to help our participants because I could relate and connect with the participants we serve and firsthand understand their struggles. Throughout my life, I have seen many people with potential who just need a little training and guidance to increase their self-confidence and soft skills. As a workforce facilitator at Association House, I can provide those tools to help people help themselves build a better opportunity for their families through our workforce programs and improve lives and communities. Our workforce program are very valuable because when financial service staff speak multiple languages, it removes barriers to banking for community members who don’t speak English, and contribute to overall community health. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing tremendous resilience and have gotten great satisfaction from mentoring our participants and building their confidence and employability skills. It’s such a joy to see our workforce participants grow and develop not only their employability skills, but their self-confidence and ‘professional self’. All they needed sometimes is a little guidance to point them in a better direction. My passion includes encouraging youth and families to succeed in life and impulse them to take a stand and become leaders of their own life making wise choices. What's a fun fact about yourself? I was on the college Soccer and Basketball Teams. My favorite comfort food is Mexican Corn on the Cob with all the fixings and Thai food. My 1st BankWork$ class gave me a nickname of “Ms. Sunshine” because they said I always brightened up their class days. I’m originally from a small town in Michoacan, Mexico where I learned how to make traditional authentic “Buñuelos” by using my thumbs and knee. Related Content BankWork$ Learn More NextJob Learn More Tech#Ready Learn More

Our Auxiliary Board supports Association House's mission and community throughout the year. As a group of early to mid-career professionals, you will plan exciting fundraising events and give back. Auxiliary Board Grow Your Career & Give Back to Your City! The Association House Auxiliary Board combines professional networking with hands-on community outreach. Together, we volunteer, raise funds, and grow awareness in the wider community - all in support of the House's mission. Connect with passionate professionals & make a profound impact while you do it! Volunteer Give back to the families and children we serve through our annual toy drive, Back 2 School Fair, and fundraising events. Network Hang out with fellow young professionals at Trivia Night and Summer Soiree, our annual fundraising parties. Organize Step up when your city is in need. Rely on a network of passionate people to stabilize and uplift your neighborhood! Our Auxiliary Board raises $20,000 annually. Apply to Join That's enough to get 160 participants to and from our services every day for a year ; or, enough to give 85 participants basic care and emergency food packages every week for a year ; or, put 35 participants through specialized career training that will set them up for lasting success. Will you help us make an impact? Grow Your Network. Build Your Skills. Make an Impact! Being part of the Auxiliary Board is a great way to meet new people, try new things, and make a real difference in our community! Make connections! Meet Association House’s Board of Directors and connect with Chicago’s business and civic leaders. Learn something new! Build your skills in marketing, project management, leadership, and more. Take the lead! Explore new opportunities, take on exciting projects, and grow into future leadership roles. Make a difference! Help carry forward the legacy of one of Chicago’s oldest nonprofits and support the communities we serve. Meet The Auxiliary Board Your Responsibilities Here’s how you’ll show up for Association House and our community: Meet up: Auxiliary Board meetings every other month Give back: Hands-on volunteer opportunities, fundraising and networking events Get involved: Committee work that matches your interests and skills Fuel our mission: Make a personal contribution or help raise at least $250 for Association House. Upcoming Events Join Us! Young professionals are encouraged to express interest through the member application . If you have questions, please reach out to Dalia, Development Associate, at ddelafuente@associationhouse.org. Apply to Join "Partnering with an organization that’s actively doing something—an organization like Association House— that’s how you move from feeling sad about a problem in the world to being a part of the solution.” - Tayler, Auxiliary Board Member Our Sponsors We are deeply grateful to our 2026 event sponsors and in-kind supporters, who help make our work possible and drive our mission forward. Related Content Auxiliary Board Members Learn More Auxiliary Board Application Learn More Impact Learn More

An 8-week food prep training and subsidized employment program for returning and justice-involved citizens to prepare for positions in professional kitchens. Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship How does a pre-apprenticeship help? The Association House Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship program is your first step toward a career in compassion. With this free 5-week course, you'll open pathways toward Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS), Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CRSS), Mobile Crisis Response, or Behavioral Health Case Management careers. Whether you're looking for immediate employment, or want to expand your knowledge with a formal apprenticeship, we will help you make the connection. Students will complete the course with a Mental Health First Aid certification to safely intervene in a mental health crisis. Plus, you'll receive courses & workshops in the many behavioral health career paths available to you, enabling you to speak the language of the industry, and nail your interviews. A Compassionate Career is Within Reach! Recovery Crisis Response Case Work These are just a few of the high-impact, purpose-driven careers our program can unlock. If you feel a drive to help others and connect on a deeper level with the world around you, a behavioral health career could be the right fit for you and your future. Eligibility & Enrollment As of September 2026, we have completed our pilot run of the Behavioral Health Pre-Apprenticeship at Association House. Thank you for your interest in our program! Applications are paused at this time. To be the first to know about future opportunities to join this course, sign up for our newsletter. “This class gave me the confidence to ask the hard questions — including whether someone is suicidal and has a plan. It also helped me listen more deeply and connect people to the support that best fits their needs.” - Program Participant Related Content NextJob Learn More Workforce Staff 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

Explore the leadership team that's creating long-lasting change throughout our communities in Chicago. Learn more about the Association House leadership team. Executive Staff Juan Carlos Linares President and CEO Learn More Lillian Bui Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Learn More Rosa Y. Ortiz Senior Director of Community Development Learn More David Pieper High School Principal Learn More Jacqleen Musarra Vice President of Operations Learn More Jaime Garcia Senior Director of Human Resources Learn More Damaris Acevedo Director of Child Welfare Learn More Filiberto Rios Senior Director of Community Health and Workforce Development Learn More Julie Rodriguez Executive Vice President Learn More Margarita Rosas Chief Financial Officer Learn More Emily Marion Senior Director of Behavioral Health Learn More Tanya A. Wade Senior Director of Clinical Operations Learn More Auxiliary Board Board of Directors

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

Learn all about the boards of directors that help us grow in our community. Board of Directors Noam Avidov Learn More Becky Brueckel Learn More Jose Garcia Learn More Nancy Johnson Learn More Angela Mathew Learn More Bhavini Shah Learn More Helena C. Stangle Learn More Subhadeep Bhattacharjee Learn More Ryan Dwyer Learn More Vachon Harper-Young Learn More Karyn Lewis Learn More Paul T. Metzger Learn More Kathleen Smith Learn More Jennifer Tedjeske Learn More Jeffrey Brubaker Learn More Tangela Feemster Enyia Learn More Tadd Ingles Learn More Brooke Lyon Learn More Morgan Pierce Learn More Jourdan Sorrell Learn More Cynthia A. Ullrich Learn More Executive Staff Auxiliary Board

< Back Rosa Y. Ortiz Senior Director of Community Development