Staff

Kathy Kern - Executive Director
Kathy Kern received her BA (1973) and MA (1980) in Education from Northeastern Illinois University, and her CAS(1995) in Early Childhood Leadership from Concordia University. Kathy has taught at the elementary, high school and college level. In 1980, Kathy began her professional life in Early Childhood Education by developing and managing child care centers for the Norridge Park District and Ravenswood Hospital in Chicago. Since 2002, Kathy has been the Executive Director of Parenthesis Family Center. Under Kathy’s leadership, Parenthesis has expanded programming to suit community needs, refined its accounting infrastructure and developed a long term growth plan. Email Kathy at kkern@parenthesis-info.org

Bonnie Andorka - Director of Development
Bonnie Andorka received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University. For many years she was a primary school teacher and day care owner. Bonnie came to Parenthesis Family Center in May 2008 with 8 years of experience working in the nonprofit setting s a Community Relations Coordinator. Her area of specialization has been in family support, event planning and development. Under her leadership Parenthesis has increased its fundraising events, developed a new identity system, and enhanced its direct mail solicitations. Bonnie is married with three children. Email Bonnie at bandorka@parenthesis-info.org

Ann Puccetti - Program Director, Family Support Specialist
Ann Puccetti, LCSW, received her BA from Stonehill College in Massachusetts and her MA in Social Work from the University of Chicago. Most of Ann’s career has been in providing family support services to families in need, starting at Abraham Lincoln Center on Chicago’s south side. Ann has also worked at Catholic Charities, as director of their Basic Human Needs program, and later as a social worker in the Arts of Living program for teen parents. Ann joined the Parenthesis staff in 2004 as a Family Wrap specialist, and now serves as program director. Ann considers it a privilege to assist families in reaching their parenting goals. Ann is married with four children. Email Ann at apuccetti@parenthesis-info.org

Jill Fazio - Family Support Specialist
Jill received her BA from Illinois Wesleyan University and her MA in Social Work from the University of Chicago. She holds an LCSW. Jill has served as a Peace Corps volunteer, working in the South American school systems as a family social worker and assisted on a parent empowerment project with UNICEF. In addition, she has worked with the New York City GEAR UP program to counsel youth and their families, and has served as Director of Social Services for the Ida B. Wells Program for Pregnant and Parenting Students also in New York City. Jill became a part of Parenthesis Family Center in May 2010 as a Family Support Specialist. Jill works with the Mothering On Our Own Program as well as with the Family Wrap Program. Jill enjoys working with families in the community to teach and learn about the daily celebrations and struggles of parenting. Email Jill at jfazio@parenthesis-info.org

Peggy Wright - Family Support Specialist
Peggy received her BA in Social Work from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and Masters in Social Work from Loyola University in Chicago. Peggy has worked with families in a variety of settings including foster care/adoption, group homes, and early intervention. Peggy joined the staff at Parenthesis Family Center in 2006 as a part time Family Support Specialist with the Parenteen program. Peggy is a resident of Oak Park and has four small children. Email Peggy at pwright@parenthesis-info.org

Barbara Walters - Infant Teacher
Barbara Walters has been employed at Parenthesis Family Center since 1991. She came to Parenthesis when her youngest child entered school. Barbara has a degree in elementary education and psychology from the University of Iowa. Prior to joining the Parenthesis staff, Barbara had taught elementary school for over ten years. Barbara and her husband reside in Berwyn; they have three grown sons.

Linda Gary - Toddler Teacher
Linda has been employed at Parenthesis Family Center since 1997 as a Toddler teacher. Linda continues to pursue her Bachelor’s degree, taking classes in Education. Outside of Parenthesis, Linda is an Assistant Youth Leader in her church. She has two sons ages 22 and 18.

Sue Schreck - Administrative Assistant

Sue received her BA from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania where she majored in political science and social work.  Sue taught pre-school at Parenthesis for two years and is enjoying her new role assisting families in the Morning Drop-In Program. She also runs the Fall and Spring Consignment Sale as well as the Pre-School Fair. Sue has lived in the Oak Park community for the past twenty years and has a teenage daughter. Email Sue at sshreck@parenthesis-info.org

Krystyna Santana - Childcare Staff
Krystyna received her Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Triton Community College. She has chosen to pursue her dream of teaching in an Early Childhood classroom and is currently a sophomore at Elmhurst College, majoring in Education. As a member of the Parenthesis child care staff, Krystyna currently works with the preschool children enrolled in the Parenting On Our Own program.

Diana Gouskos - Childcare Staff
Diana joined the child care staff at Parenthesis Family Center in 2010. At present, she works with children in the Parenting On Our Own and Parenteen evening programs. Diana is pursuing a degree in Psychology at Concordia College.