Our Mission
Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center (GECRC) offers out-of-school programming that empowers under-resourced K-12 students to meet state and local standards for academic and social-emotional learning; involves students in activities that enrich learning; and connects families to schools and other resources necessary to support student success and well-being. GECRC programs make space where students, their parents, educators, and community members can develop mutually enriching relationships that support and inspire learning and growth.
Our Pillars
Mutually Empowering
To be mutually empowering is to be relational and pursue mutual benefit. We are inherently relational. We acknowledge the beauty of mutually beneficial relationships in which all parties grow and gain power through our interactions with each other.
Resourceful
To be resourceful is to be dynamic and adaptable in our approach to service. We are resourceful. We seek to dynamically adapt to the needs of our students and their families as we support their enrichment and connect them to additional community resources.
Advocates
To be an advocate is to be caring, helpful, supportive and invested. We are advocates. We are deeply invested in those we serve and advocate for students and families out of a holistic care for their wellbeing.
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 first program in CCSD89 Glen Crest Middle School opened in 2020, and our most recent program opened in CCSD89 at Park View Elementary in fall of 2023. 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.
At "Dare to Dream," GECRC's 20th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser, attendees celebrated the community that built the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center over the past 20 years. It was a beautiful summer night that included an auction, raffle, international food trucks and live music at the Glen Ellyn Boathouse. We are so grateful to all of the sponsors and donors who made "Dare to Dream" possible. We raised more than $50,000 that will go directly to supporting our after-school and summer programs.
An enormous thank you to all of our sponsors, to everyone who attended the event, bid on items and donated. We are so grateful.
Tremendous gratitude to our generous board members and their families who donated their time, treasure and talent to making this event an enormous success.
GECRC’s amazing community of students, families, volunteers, board members and staff all enjoyed the GECRC Family Fun Day on June 11, 2022 in celebration of GECRC’s 20th anniversary. Around 100 individuals were in attendance to enjoy face-painting, snow cones, games, a raffle and more at Churchill Elementary. An enormous thank you to the countless individuals and organizations that made that day possible.
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Staff
Lisa Hepner, MSW Director of Program and Volunteers
For questions about programming, contact: lhepner@gecrc.com
For bio, click here.
Lizzy Doty Associate Director of Program and Volunteers Program Coordinator, Park View Elementary
For bio, click here.
Gayle Rueter Administrative Assistant
admin@gecrc.com | 630-479-9920
Emily Lobdell Communications Coordinator and Volunteer Outreach Coordinator
For bio, click here.
Stephanie Chávez Classroom Coordinator, Churchill Elementary
Angelli Dorado Classroom Coordinator, Churchill Elementary
Laura Gromala Classroom Coordinator, Churchill Elementary
Hamna Khan Program Aide, Churchill Elementary
Gillian Wang Classroom Coordinator, Churchill Elementary
Kendra Winters Classroom Coordinator, Churchill Elementary
Cheryl Sammer Program Coordinator, Lincoln Elementary
Patrick McDevitt Program Aide, Lincoln Elementary
Maggie Humbert Program Aide, Park View Elementary
Mayra Kulik Classroom Coordinator, Hadley Junior High
Katie Reed Classroom Coordinator, Hadley Junior High, Glenbard West
Meghan Sedlacek Classroom Coordinator, Glen Crest Middle School
Cho Pyone Burmese Translator
Executive Board Members
- Alan Taylor
- Board President
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, Ray Graham Association - Catherine Voigt
- Board Vice President
Grant Writer/Nonprofit Consultant - Kim Laubinger
- Treasurer
COO, Laubinger and Associates, LLC - Becky Gasaway
- Secretary
School Psychologist, CUSD 200 - Rebecca DePorter
- Director Director of Human Resources Center Point Properties
- Jennifer Dietzler
- Director Community Liaison
- Jodi Herbold
- Director Attorney, Clingen, Callow & McLean, LLC /dd>
- Penny Linneweh
- Director Retired professional, Linneweh Ltd
- Erica Nelson
- Director Business Leader Faculty Member, Lake Forest Graduate School
- Janis Pfister*
- Director Retired D41 Literacy Coach
- Evelyn Rodriguez
- Director Vice President, Glen Ellyn Bank & Trust
- Karen Winter
- Director Office Manager, Wheaton Yamaha Music School
*Remembered