Leadership

Mario F. Garcia, Executive Director
Mario F. García has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management with specializations in organizational development and training. Prior to taking the Executive Director position at Onward Neighborhood House in 2004, Mr. García led García Consulting where he offered advising and training related to board development, team-building, strategic planning and leadership. He has worked with a variety of community based organizations, government agencies, professional associations and local school councils. He is currently a member of Chicago’s Early Childhood Education CEO Roundtable, and a board member for the ACLU of Illinois.
Mr. García was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala and speaks fluent English and Spanish. He has a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago and an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Illinois State University.

Darica Charles, Program Director
Darica Charles has been with Onward Neighborhood House since 2005 and has held roles with increasing responsibility across multiple Onward House programs. She started in the classroom at the former West Town location as a School Age Coordinator, then Site Manager. When Onward House initiated the move from West Town neighborhood to Belmont Cragin, she took roles as Special Projects Manager, then Director of Youth & Community Services. In 2018, Ms. Charles was promoted to her current role as Program Director where she oversees the planning and implementation of Onward House’s services.
Prior to working at Onward House, Ms. Charles worked as a Kindergarten Teacher/Site Director for Mary Crane Center. Ms. Charles received her B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University.
Administration
Ernesto Delatorre, Director of Finance
Nikki Way, Director of Development & Communications
Virgil Hernandez, Human Resources Director
Nereida Barreno, Finance Specialist
Early Childhood Education & School Age Leadership
Dr. Kimberly Thier, Director of Special Education & Quality Assurance
Maria Deniz, Site Manager
Miriam Williamson, Education Coordinator
Kathy Alanis, Intake Coordinator
Tashi McIntee, Partnership Coordinator
Rosemary Solis, Family Support Services Coordinator
Teachers
Blue Birds 1 – Early Head Start
Marlene Ontiveros
Hortencia Rubio
Blue Birds 2 – Early Head Start
Rosita Feliciano
Little Bears 1 – Early Head Start
Martha Aich
Koalas – Head Start
Marteen Wrencher
Butterflies – Head Start
Magarita Acosta
Jan
Bumble Bees – Head Start
Nancy Avile
Kareena Machunas
School Age
Matilde Lebron, Penguins Classroom
Rocio Varela, Panthers Classroom
Ms. Crystal, Tigers Classroom
Home Visitors
Carmen Trejo, Home Visitor
Vanessa Avila, Home Visitor
Family Support Workers
Sofia Rebollar, Family Support Worker
Daisy Barrios, Family Support Worker
Thelma Tolentino, Family Support Worker
Adult Education
Roxana Montesdeoca, Support Services Coordinator for the Illinois Immigrant and Refugee Welcoming Center
Juan Martin, Computer Coordinator
Food Pantry
Guadalupe Zenon, Food Pantry Manager
Support Staff
Araceli Navarro, Paraprofessional
Brandon Avalos, Data Management Specialist
Edna Medrano, Food Aide
Maintenance
Norma Salinas, Custodian