Who We Are

Our Story

North Chicago Community Partners (NCCP) uses a holistic approach to bridge the opportunity gap and support children in North Chicago by leveraging resources from within and around the neighborhood. Since 2008, NCCP has provided an array of supports, from after school programming and family events to teacher care and annual physicals.

We know that all students deserve a chance to thrive, yet current models of education and social services do not adequately support low-income students and students of color. When communities and schools work together as one to address local needs, families become empowered, school culture is encouraging, and students are better prepared to learn and grow. Our vision is a country in which one’s race or zip code no longer predicts their educational outcome, and where children from every neighborhood receive what they need to achieve their fullest potential.

History

NCCP was created in direct response to the lack of support for the challenges facing the children of the city of North Chicago, an under resourced community just miles from some of the country’s wealthiest towns. In 2008, a principal gifted two women who dreamed of bringing resources into North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 with the chance to partner. Since then, NCCP has honed our implementation of the community school model and grown into a strategic partner of District 187 that consistently provides impactful programming. We leverage a team of 40+ staff members and pull resources from within and around the neighborhood.

Our Model

Facilitator. Coordinator. Matchmaker. Strategic Partner. North Chicago Community Partners wears a variety of hats as we walk alongside the public school district of North Chicago. Our model is a bottom-up, strengths-based approach to school improvement, with an emphasis on “whole child” care. We empower schools by connecting their needs and goals to relevant and high quality programing and partners. Ultimately, we strengthen communities by transforming schools into central resources hubs with our neighbors, for our neighbors.

This approach is a unique adaptation of the community school model. Traditional community school organizations match school needs to external partners. At NCCP, we also embed our staff and ongoing programs in the schools, leverage a large network of volunteers, and build private-public partnerships.

Pillars of a Community School

Integrated student supports
Expanded learning opportunities
Family and community engagement
Collaborative leadership and practice

Our Staff

For many of our team members, this work is personal. 74% grew up or currently reside in North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion Benton, Round Lake, or Park City, and 74% of our staff identify as people of color. The professional development of our employees, as well as our commitment to hiring and training a diverse workforce, remain our priorities. Passion and flexibility are qualities that unite all of us.

Jennifer Grumhaus

Cofounder and Executive Director

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Kelly Gallego

Executive Program Director

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Jessica Castrejon

Director, Community School Initiatives

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Alaina Garcia

Director, Program Impact

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Daisy Martin

Director, Human Resources

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Jessie Pike

Director, Program Impact

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Shirley Stevens

Director, Curriculum and Instruction

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Arlene Brown

Controller

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Elizabeth Beach

Senior Manager, Instruction

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Brittany Costa

Senior Manager, Volunteer Engagement

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Currie Larrimer

Senior Manager, External Engagement

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Marissa Amposta

Resource Coordinator

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Angel Cuezzi

Resource Coordinator

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Kathy Garza

Resource Coordinator

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Raeven Jones-Kelley

Resource Coordinator

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Anna Bradley-Luna

Manager, Operations and Outreach

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Victor Aguilar

Program Manager

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Tanais Angel

Program Manager

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Andrea Gutierrez

Program Manager

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Andrea Jaramillo

Program Manager

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Isabella (Bella) Stackhouse

Senior Program Associate

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Alondra Avelar

Program Associate

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Neicey Barnes

Program Associate

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Fito Calderon

Program Associate

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Karen Castrejon

Program Associate

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Courtez Dixon

Program Associate

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Heli Villasenor Garcia

Program Associate

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Jermaine Garrett

Program Associate

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Annecia Grant

Development Associate

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Bayleigh Hoyt

Program Associate

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Sarah Lev

Digital Marketing and Communications Associate

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Debie Lisbey Bonato

Program Associate

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Mauricio Martinez

Program Associate

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Paulina Martinez

Program Associate

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Sylvie Oommen

Program Associate

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Jalen Pitts

Program Associate

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Mishaun Riddle

Program Associate

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Stephanie Salgado

Program Associate

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Yasmin Salinas

Program Associate

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Katie Sedin

Program Associate

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Frankie Winslett

Program Associate

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Our Board

Our Board of Directors are essential members of the NCCP team. They serve as strategic advisors who inform our long-term vision. Our board members come from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, representing our funders, partners, volunteers, and community leaders.

Mary Gorter Krey

President

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Jennifer Grumhaus

Executive Director

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Tony Hoban

Treasurer

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Lee Concha

Director

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Graham Cook

Director

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James P. Gorter

Director

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Gloria Morgan

Director

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PK Parekh

Director

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Jesus Ruiz

Director

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Steve Schutt

Director

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Kimberly Taylor-Smith

Director

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Melanie Uteg

Director

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Allison Waggoner

Director

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