Ad Book 2017

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In Memory Of
Patricia Makris
Executive Director 1978-2010
Pat Makris placed her handprint on the hearts and minds of many. She was
involved with and dedicated to her family, friends and community. Pat Makris
was an exemplary leader and so much more than that. She was a visionary,
mentor and friend to many. She had a remarkable ability to see
strength, skills and potential in the people she interacted with. Pat shared
her skills unselfishly with others and acted as a coach, consultant and ambassador.
Pat’s visionary skills helped her to build the foundation of The Children’s Center
since its inception in 1978. mediocrity was not an option in Pat’s world
and she developed many quality programs, sites and services for the underserved
in Cicero and Berwyn. Pat began with a small after-school program
serving 28 children and expanded services for families to include Head Start, Early Head Start, Preschool for
All, Preschool, Infant-Toddler Day Care, and multiple parenting projects.
Viewing the community in a broad sense was natural to Pat. She saw the community beyond the borders of
The Children’s Center. Pat viewed the community in a global sense and was involved with outside clubs and
committees. Pat was a member of the Berwyn-Cicero United Way, Cicero Rotary, Berwyn Kiwanis, NAEYC, a
consultant for DCFS and many more.
Pat imagined quality education for herself and others. She obtained her education at Our Lady of Charity, J.
Sterling Morton Hight School, University of Illinois, Western Michigan University and earned her MBA from
Roosevelt University. Pat understood that education was the key to unlocking doors, breaking down barriers
and improving the quality of services for children and families. She worked tirelessly to bring quality education
to the children she served at the center as well as encouraging and coaching the employees in her
care to obtain a higher education not only fo self improvement but to bring education to the agency.
Pat took time to develop lifelong relationships with family, friends and professional colleagues. She was interested
in people’s lives and celebrated joys and happiness as well as mourned loss. Pat was connected to
people in a deep and meaningful way; she lived her life with passion and had the extraordinary ability to
make all people feel valued, cherished and respected. Pat had great love and admiration for culture, languages,
art and opera.
Many people feel they lost a piece of their heart with Pat’s passing. Ultimately, her life’s contributions will
live on in the hearts and minds of many. The Children’s Center has moved forward these past six years and
continues to serve the children and families of Cicero, Berwyn and the surrounding communities with the
same values and convictions instilled by Pat Makris.
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2017
Patricia Makris Memorial Award
In January of 1981, the Reverend Diane C. Johnson accepted the call to be the Pastor
of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Cicero. Growing up in a small town-farming community
in Minnesota, Cicero was a big city to Diane. As she took on her pastoral position
and began getting to know her congregation and new community, she was encouraged to
contact Pat Makris from The Children’s Center. Diane was told she needs to meet Pat because
she is “a mover and a shaker”.
Diane made an appointment to see Pat. The way Pat was described, Diane was a bit
nervous. She found her to be friendly, open and down to earth. Pat gave her a tour of the
Grant Works site. Diane began coming to the annual dinners and met other staff and volunteers
at The Children’s Center. These ties to the Children’s Center were strengthened in
2001 when Clement Presbyterian Church, home of the Grants Work site, asked her to serve
as their part-time Pastor, splitting her time between Gethsemane and Clement. Diane C.
Johnson has always been dedicated, kind and helping in every way to The Children’s Center.
Inspired by the commitment and enthusiasm of Pat and others, Diane became involved
with the community. She joined the Girl Scouts, serving on the Board and working
on the cookie sales with troops. She became the President of the Board of the Cicero-Berwyn-
Stickney Food Pantry when it was incorporated in 1989. She was active in the Interfaith
Leadership Project and the Neighborhood Center of Cicero. She serves on the Board of Directors
for Family Service of Cicero, Rotary Club of Cicero-Berwyn-Stickney, and Riverside
Branch of AAUW. At church, she has touched the lives of many young people through Bible
School, youth group activities and summer camp, and teaching confirmation classes.
This “all” brings us to the present; Reverend Diane C. Johnson is the Pastor of the
Gethsemane Lutheran Church. In addition to her relationship with The Children’s Center of
Cicero-Berwyn, she has involved herself in the Cicero community for over 36 years. She has
dedicated time to local organizations involving children, families in need, and seniors.
We are proud to present the
2017 Patricia Makris Memorial Award
To Reverend Diane C. Johnson
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Hold My Hand”
Master of Ceremonies
Program
Patricia Makris Memorial Award
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History of the Agency
Founded in 1978, The Children’s Center of Cicero-Berwyn is a private, not-for-profit
corporation chartered in the State of Illinois to provide child care services. The agency
is designated a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service and is registered
as a charitable trust. It is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors and is
staffed by qualified persons with education, training and experience in early childhood.
All day care programs are licensed by
the Illinois Department of Children and Family
Services. The programs serve children and
adults residing and working in Cicero,
Berwyn and surrounding areas.
The Children’s Center of Cicero-Berwyn provides
educational day care and child development
programs. These efforts are funded
through the support of individuals and community
organizations. Grants are from the Illinois
Department of Human Services, Illinois
State Board of Education, Town of Cicero, City
of Berwyn, Community Economic Development Association,
Cicero and Berwyn #708 Mental Health
Boards, Rotary of Cicero, U.S.D.A. Food Program and
the Community Chest of Cicero.
Responding to the community needs, our first site,
Grant Works, opened in 1978, serving twenty-eight children. Since, then other sites
have been opened for programs serving children six weeks to ten years of age and
their families. We work closely to provide support for School Districts #98, #99, #100
and #201. In addition, Family Literacy workshops and lending libraries are provided.
Parent and child drop in centers have been opened to provide activities, workshops
and seminars. Currently we are serving over 950 families.
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1978 Grant Works
1447 S. 50 th Court
Cicero, Illinois 60804
708) 652-1202|
1982 Red Feather
5341 W. Cermak Road
Cicero, Illinois 60804
(708) 652-1201
1988 Patricia Makris Child Dev. Center
2831 S. 49 th Avenue
Cicero, Illinois 60804
(708) 652-1284
1991 P.A.C.T
(Parent and Child Together)
6223 W. Ogden Avenue
Berwyn, Illinois 60402
(708) 795-7228
2000 C.O.R.E
(Community Outreach and Education)
5341 W. Cermak Road
Cicero, Illinois 60804
(708) 222-4503
2001 Head Start II (Home Visiting)
6223 W. Ogden Avenue
Berwyn, Illinois 60402
(708) 222-4519
2010 Children’s Center at Concordia
3144 S. Home Avenue
Berwyn, Illinois 60402
(708) 222-4517
2011 Clyde Park (EHSII)
2724 S. 61 st Avenue
Cicero, IL 60804
(708) 222-4508
1992 Children’s Center at Morton
2324 S. Austin Boulevard
Cicero, Illinois 60804
(708) 652-1220
1995 Riverside Drive
7022 Riverside Drive
Berwyn, Illinois 60402
(708) 788-4548
1999 Early Head Start
(Home Visiting)
2324 S. Austin Boulevard
Cicero, Illinois 60804
(708) 652-1220
2012 MIECHV
(Maternal Infant Early Childhood
Home Visiting)
5341 W. Cermak Road
Cicero, IL 60804
(708) 780-3987
2016 PRAIRE OAK
1427 S. Oak Park Ave
Berwyn, IL 60402
(708) 795-2442
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Board of Directors
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The Children’s Center Staff
“Hold My Hand” Dinner and Fundraiser 2017
Lurlean Chodora, Executive Director
Olga Aceves
Geralyn Cochara
Cecilia Trepaud-Garza
Maria J. Martinez
Maria Rodriguez
Rina Agozzino
Nereida Colon-Rivera
Margaret Gasteier
Tisha Martinez
Alma Roque
Jessica Amaya
Sianny Corral
Blanca Gomez
Victoria Martinez
Miguel Rueda
Juliet Aguilar
Delia Cortez
Reyna Gomez
Cindy Matias
Miguel Rueda, Jr.
Omar Al-Ali
Beverly Dawson
Celia Govea
Christina Meza
Marilyn Ruiz
Hanan Al-Ali
Rosalba Diaz De Leon
Bina Habibi
Georgia Milosovic
Cynthia Salgado
Judith Angel
Deborah Diaz
Maria Heredia-Morales
Anna Monroy
Maria Salinas
Lorena Antunez
Sandra Diaz
Irma Hernandez
Irma Nevarez
Esmeralda Salto
Jessica Araujo
Lorena Dominguez
Paula Hernandez
Cristela Nieto
Maria J. Sanchez
Rosario Arias
Vianey Dominguez
Stacy Hernandez-Anaya
Laurey Olson
Minerba Sanchez
Mary Arnold
Junely Escobar
Melissa Huerta
Tracy Patton
Brenda Sandoval
Josefa Arroyo
Crystal Estrada
Giselle Jimenez
Maria Peralta
Monica Saucedo
Belen Avalos
Yunuen Estrada
Michele Johnson
Ana Perez
Janet Silva
Mercedes Bajana
Martha Fabian
Jarlely Juarez
Brenda Perez
Yesenia Sierra
Teresa Burak
Jacqueline Figueroa
Lisa Kherwish
Cynthia Pergram
Michael Smith
Carla Cabrera
Irene Flores
Rosaelva Kitzer
Joshua Piet
Laura Sutor
Joe Cahajla
Cynthia Focareto
Kathie Kokenes
Rubi Popoca
Claudia Uranga
Copitzi Campos
Maria Franco
Sandra Kokenes
Patricia Prieto
Maribel Vargas
Linda Campos
Aida Fuentes
Jennifer Kosenesky
Lucia Ramirez
Maria Vega
Elizabeth Cardenas
Maria G. Galvez
Aileen Landau
Samir Ramirez Vargas
Martha Velasquez
Maria Castro
Sonia Galvez
Diana Ledesma
Linda Ramos
Isabel Vicente
Eva Ceja
Elizabeth Gamino
Azucena Lopez
Jeanella Regalado
Hidaya Yassin
Edith Chacon
Angela Garcia
Catalina Luna
Linda Rios
Guadalupe Yepez
Suzanne Chlapecka
Lila Garcia
Carmen Mares
Jessica Robledo
Michelle Cinkay
Margarita Garcia
Leticia Marquez
Beatriz Rodriguez
Christine Clarke
Roxanne Garcia
Diana Martinez
Elisa Rodriguez
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Thank you for
39
years of service!
FROM: GRANT WORKS
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Congratulations zooming
through 39 years!
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5310 W. 25th Street
Cicero, IL 60804
708-656-1433
124 N. Broadway
Melrose Park, IL 60160
708-344-4792
NEW LOCATION
6227 W. 26th Street
Berwyn, IL 60402
708-667-5210
5447 St. Charles Rd.
Berkeley, IL 60163
708-547-0547
28 S. Van Buren
Batavia, IL 60510
630-761-9690
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The Congregation of Gethsemane
offers it's best wishes to
the children, families, director,
staff, board and volunteers of
The Children's Center of Cicero-
Berwyn. May you continue your vital
mission in our communities for many
more years to come.
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The Congregation of Gethsemane offers it's best wishes to the children, families,
director, staff, board and volunteers of The Children's Center of Cicero-
Berwyn. May you continue your vital mission in our communities for many
more years to come.
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From: Ixchel
Best wishes to
The Children’s Center!
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pillars
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