Our Mission
Our mission is to help children from low-income families acquire the necessary skills in academics and social interaction to move successfully through grades K-12 and into adulthood. We do this by providing after-school and summer programs which emphasize literacy and community involvement, using the talents of teachers, volunteer tutors, GECRC Staff and a variety of local organizations.
Our History
The Glen Ellyn Community Resource Center opened in April 2002 with the support of the county-run DuPage Prevention Partnership and initially served children residing at Parkside Apartment Complex. In the fall of 2003, we moved to a classroom space offered by Faith Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn and became a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation in order to better serve the greater Glen Ellyn community.
In 2006, we opened an after school program site at D41 Abraham Lincoln Elementary School as the Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center (GECRC). In the 2013-2014 school year, we began serving additional D41 students at Hadley Junior High and expanded again in 2016 to Churchill Elementary. Our newest program at CCSD89 Glen Crest Middle School opened in 2020. We are currently among the area’s most active nonprofits, supporting a growing number of low-income children attain core literacy and social-emotional skills; assist ELL (English Language Learner) students as they integrate into the community; and assist parents/caregivers in providing educational support for their children.
Staff
Leah Harding, Executive Director
For questions about programming, contact:
lharding@gecrc.com | 630-479-9920
For bio, click here.
Jackie Reeves, Director of Program and Volunteers - Bilingual (Spanish)
jreeves@gecrc.com | 630-479-9919For bio, click here.
Lauren Mayerhoff, Lead Classroom Coordinator at Lincoln Elementary
lmayerhoff@gecrc.comFor bio, click here.
Maryam Ghouse, Volunteer Coordinator, Classroom Aide at Churchill Elementary
For bio, click here.Angeli Dorado, Classroom Coordinator at Churchill Elementary
Lizzy Doty, Classroom Coordinator at Churchill Elementary
Gabby Illut, Classroom Aide at Lincoln Elementary
Karla Kampen, Classroom Coordinator at Churchill Elementary
Erick Mendez, Classroom Aide at Churchill and Lincoln Elementary
Diane McKinnon, Marketing Coordinator
dmckinnon@gecrc.comDan Minkus, Park District Liaison, Volunteer Soccer Coach
dminkus@gecrc.comMarci Myers, Junior High Classroom Coordinator
mmyers@gecrc.comKatie Reed, Junior High Classroom Coordinator
kreed@gecrc.comGayle Rueter, Administrative Assistant
Cheryl Sammer, Classroom Coordinator at Lincoln Elementary
Gillian Wang, Classroom Aide at Churchill Elementary
Executive Board Members
- Celia Rodee
- Board President
Executive Director JPMorgan/Chase - Judy Cheney
- Board Vice President
Retired Professional and Community Member - Cleo Burtis
- Board Secretary
Community Member - Kim Laubinger
- Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer, Laubinger and Associates, LLC. - Christian Ambler
- Managing Attorney, Stone & Johnson
- Lisa Ciosek
- Community Member
- Rebecca DePorter
- Director of Human Resources, CenterPoint Properties
- BJ Meier
- Community Member
- Erica Nelson
- Business Leader Faculty Member, Lake Forest Graduate School
- Janis Pfister
- Retired Literacy Coach, Glen Ellyn D41
- Lisa Tylke
- Grant Writer, Nonprofit Consultant
- Denise Umubyeyi
- Co-Founder and COO, Five to Nine Online Software Platform
- Catherine Voigt
- Grant Writer , Nonprofit Consultant
- Bob Wahlgren*
- Banker, Humanitarian
- Karen Winter
- Administrator, Wheaton Yamaha Music School
*Remembered