Lifting Little Voices 2021: Planning For Change

Grace Araya is the Director of Community Systems Statewide Supports at Illinois Action for Children. She leads a team that provides training and technical assistance to early childhood collaborations across the state. Her work is focused on strengthening local communities’ ability to develop and implement community-wide, collaborative strategies that improve outcomes for children and families.

Dr. Rebecca Barbato, MD is a pediatric specialist with over 19 years of experience serving children and families in the Chicago area. She provides primary care services for children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. She operates her medical practice at Loyola’s North Riverside Family Health Center.

Dana’s vast career in non-profit management and Head Start has provided her with professional job opportunities that include positions as Early Childhood Education Program Manager, Director of Training, Executive Director, Quality Assurance Director, and Professional Leadership & Development Consultant. Dana received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Hampton University, and a Master’s degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. Dana is currently an Early Childhood Education Program Manager with IFF in Chicago.

As a practicing psychologist, Jackie’s focuses on program development for family systems and child development in the context of poverty. Jackie earned MA and PhD degrees in Human Development from the School of Education at University of California, Los Angeles. Jackie Moore is a member of the E-Team in Oak Park and the School Board President at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

Jill Pacyna has been a Reflective Prekindergarten teacher for 19 years, as well as an Engaged Parent Advocate, and Dedicated Equality Activist. Jill holds a BS in Early Childhood Education and an MA in Reading with an ELL Endorsement.

Bob Tucker joined the Chicago Community Loan Fund in June 2015 as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Programs. He leads internal operations and provides strategic leadership to ensure CCLF executes its business plan and fulfills its mission to provide flexible, affordable and responsible financing and technical assistance for community stabilization and development efforts and initiatives that benefit low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. He was a Village Trustee on the Village Board of Oak Park, Illinois, from 2011-2019.

Raheem Young works as a Youth Interventionist with Oak Park Township and co-founded a non-profit called Welcome to Fatherhood where he works with dads to help them cope with some of the pressures and stresses of fatherhood. Raheem is a husband and father of three. He created Welcome to Fatherhood to assist other dads in their fatherhood journey by sharing with them his challenges and triumphs.