Kristen Mighty, PhD, MPH
Executive Director
Dr. Mighty, a Broadview native, joined the Quinn Center team in 2018 with an extensive background in public health, budget growth and management, data-driven assessment, and professional collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders. She earned two Bachelors of Science degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds both a Doctorate in life sciences and a Master’s degree in public health from Northwestern University. Over the past two years, she has established vital financial and grant management infrastructure and has led the effort to strengthen and expand youth programming, adult education programming, and senior outreach and support programming. As a servant leader, she is passionate to serve the community she grew up in and utilize her lived experiences to provide the needed personal and professional development of community members. She strives to empower community members in order to inspire them to be courageous enough to pursue their dreams. Contact Kristen at director@quinncenter.org.
Executive Director
Dr. Mighty, a Broadview native, joined the Quinn Center team in 2018 with an extensive background in public health, budget growth and management, data-driven assessment, and professional collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders. She earned two Bachelors of Science degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds both a Doctorate in life sciences and a Master’s degree in public health from Northwestern University. Over the past two years, she has established vital financial and grant management infrastructure and has led the effort to strengthen and expand youth programming, adult education programming, and senior outreach and support programming. As a servant leader, she is passionate to serve the community she grew up in and utilize her lived experiences to provide the needed personal and professional development of community members. She strives to empower community members in order to inspire them to be courageous enough to pursue their dreams. Contact Kristen at director@quinncenter.org.
Martha Ramirez
Program Coordinator
Martha began her work at the Quinn Center in September 2019, though she has been serving youth in the Proviso community since 2010. Her background includes working with youth in education and social services in the Chicago area. She has worked with youth in group homes, hospitals, community centers, and schools with a focus on families and children in diverse communities. She attended B.U. Wheelock where she majored in Social Work. She is excited to serve the families and children in our community and be part of creating lasting and meaningful change in here at Quinn. Contact Martha at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Program Coordinator
Martha began her work at the Quinn Center in September 2019, though she has been serving youth in the Proviso community since 2010. Her background includes working with youth in education and social services in the Chicago area. She has worked with youth in group homes, hospitals, community centers, and schools with a focus on families and children in diverse communities. She attended B.U. Wheelock where she majored in Social Work. She is excited to serve the families and children in our community and be part of creating lasting and meaningful change in here at Quinn. Contact Martha at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Jesenya Amaya
Program Coordinator
Jesenya began her work at the Quinn Center as a volunteer in Fall 2018 and formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is a member of our sister parish Sacred Heart and lives and works in the Proviso community. Jesenya formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree at Dominican University and majoring in Education, as well as pursuing her certification in Family Engagement through HarvardX. She plans to continue serving her community and working towards The Quinn Centers’ mission of achieving social justice throughout the diverse Proviso community. Contact Jesenya at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Program Coordinator
Jesenya began her work at the Quinn Center as a volunteer in Fall 2018 and formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is a member of our sister parish Sacred Heart and lives and works in the Proviso community. Jesenya formally joined the staff in Summer 2019. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree at Dominican University and majoring in Education, as well as pursuing her certification in Family Engagement through HarvardX. She plans to continue serving her community and working towards The Quinn Centers’ mission of achieving social justice throughout the diverse Proviso community. Contact Jesenya at qcprograms@quinncenter.org.
Elizabeth Young
Development Coordinator
Liz began her work at the Quinn Center in November 2019. Prior to joining the Quinn Center, Liz coordinated the local implementation of a national anti-poverty, social justice program on behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which included managing marketing/PR, communications, grant evaluation and administration, fundraising, and program development projects. She also has an extensive background in community service and social justice education after spending six years working in Campus Ministry at a local Jesuit high school. Liz holds B.A.s in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Social Justice & Community Development from Loyola University Chicago. Contact Liz at qcdevelopment@quinncenter.org.
Development Coordinator
Liz began her work at the Quinn Center in November 2019. Prior to joining the Quinn Center, Liz coordinated the local implementation of a national anti-poverty, social justice program on behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago, which included managing marketing/PR, communications, grant evaluation and administration, fundraising, and program development projects. She also has an extensive background in community service and social justice education after spending six years working in Campus Ministry at a local Jesuit high school. Liz holds B.A.s in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Social Justice & Community Development from Loyola University Chicago. Contact Liz at qcdevelopment@quinncenter.org.
Megan McDermott
Intern, Senior Programs
Megan is a 2020-2021 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow working to combat loneliness and isolation through community programming in the Maywood area. She has been involved in Quinn Center programs for about one year and is currently working on virtual groups and outreach to seniors. Additionally, Megan is a second year medical student at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, where she leads a student organization dedicated to connecting students with volunteer opportunities at the Quinn Center. Megan completed her Bachelors in Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville and has an extensive background in community organization and international service. Contact Megan at seniors@quinncenter.org.
Intern, Senior Programs
Megan is a 2020-2021 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellow working to combat loneliness and isolation through community programming in the Maywood area. She has been involved in Quinn Center programs for about one year and is currently working on virtual groups and outreach to seniors. Additionally, Megan is a second year medical student at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, where she leads a student organization dedicated to connecting students with volunteer opportunities at the Quinn Center. Megan completed her Bachelors in Biology at Franciscan University of Steubenville and has an extensive background in community organization and international service. Contact Megan at seniors@quinncenter.org.
Megan Gjertsen
Intern, Senior Programs
After graduating from Trinity Christian College with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, Megan began medical school at Loyola University Chicago. She started volunteering at the Quinn Center in 2019 as a tutor for elementary and middle school students. She feels incredibly humbled to continue her work at Quinn, engaging with a population that is so dear to her heart—the senior population. She has a strong background working with seniors and developing senior programming and looks forward to using those skills and growing even more while serving at Quinn. Contact Megan at seniors@quinncenter.org.
Intern, Senior Programs
After graduating from Trinity Christian College with a Bachelors of Science in Biology, Megan began medical school at Loyola University Chicago. She started volunteering at the Quinn Center in 2019 as a tutor for elementary and middle school students. She feels incredibly humbled to continue her work at Quinn, engaging with a population that is so dear to her heart—the senior population. She has a strong background working with seniors and developing senior programming and looks forward to using those skills and growing even more while serving at Quinn. Contact Megan at seniors@quinncenter.org.
Alecx Hernandez
Dominican Volunteer, Taller de Jose Companerx
I recently graduated from Dominican University in River Forest with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Music. I finished a semester early and studied my last semester in Spain. I grew up in Little Village and Pilsen, and I moved to Cicero a few years ago. This year I am a Dominican Volunteer serving with Taller de Jose as a Compañerx at the Quinn Center. This opportunity will allow me to "walk with" people and families of the Maywood community by translating documents, serving as an interpreter, volunteering, attending court cases (etc.), and most importantly, connecting people with local resources such as Food Pantries, counseling, emergency services, employment opportunities, financial assistance, and more. I am thrilled to have this amazing opportunity that prepares me for my future goal of moving close to the Mexican American Border and "walking with" migrants. Contact Alecx at qccompanera@quinncenter.org.
Dominican Volunteer, Taller de Jose Companerx
I recently graduated from Dominican University in River Forest with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Music. I finished a semester early and studied my last semester in Spain. I grew up in Little Village and Pilsen, and I moved to Cicero a few years ago. This year I am a Dominican Volunteer serving with Taller de Jose as a Compañerx at the Quinn Center. This opportunity will allow me to "walk with" people and families of the Maywood community by translating documents, serving as an interpreter, volunteering, attending court cases (etc.), and most importantly, connecting people with local resources such as Food Pantries, counseling, emergency services, employment opportunities, financial assistance, and more. I am thrilled to have this amazing opportunity that prepares me for my future goal of moving close to the Mexican American Border and "walking with" migrants. Contact Alecx at qccompanera@quinncenter.org.
Yuriana Mora
Dietetics Intern, Loyola University
Yuri is a 2020 - 2021 Loyola University Dietetic Intern. Passionate about Public Health, other leaders have inspired her to continue making a positive impact in people’s lives. She has been a pharmacy technician, helping people treat their sickness and disease for the past 17 years. Now she wants to use nutrition science knowledge to find ways to help people stay healthy, while incorporating a holistic approach to prevent negative health outcomes.
Dietetics Intern, Loyola University
Yuri is a 2020 - 2021 Loyola University Dietetic Intern. Passionate about Public Health, other leaders have inspired her to continue making a positive impact in people’s lives. She has been a pharmacy technician, helping people treat their sickness and disease for the past 17 years. Now she wants to use nutrition science knowledge to find ways to help people stay healthy, while incorporating a holistic approach to prevent negative health outcomes.
Lily Kim
Dietetics Intern, Loyola University
I am a recent graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics. I am a Loyola dietetic intern, along with my peer, Yuri. We are both in the Dietetics Certificate Program, working to finish our internship and become registered dietitians. I am passionate about local community involvement and public health needs. I look forward to getting to know more about the community at the Quinn Center and hope to grow from this experience.
Dietetics Intern, Loyola University
I am a recent graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics. I am a Loyola dietetic intern, along with my peer, Yuri. We are both in the Dietetics Certificate Program, working to finish our internship and become registered dietitians. I am passionate about local community involvement and public health needs. I look forward to getting to know more about the community at the Quinn Center and hope to grow from this experience.
Kathy Aldana
Programming Intern, Concordia University
My name is Katherine Aldana but I go by Kathy. I was born in Los Angeles, California but raised in Chicago, Illinois. I am a mother of two beautiful children named Jade and Maeson. I currently attend Concordia University of Chicago and will be graduating this fall with a major in Criminal Justice and minor in Sociology. I look forward to working with each and every one-off you and hope to finish this year off strong!
Programming Intern, Concordia University
My name is Katherine Aldana but I go by Kathy. I was born in Los Angeles, California but raised in Chicago, Illinois. I am a mother of two beautiful children named Jade and Maeson. I currently attend Concordia University of Chicago and will be graduating this fall with a major in Criminal Justice and minor in Sociology. I look forward to working with each and every one-off you and hope to finish this year off strong!
David Villegas-Garcia
Ministry en lo Cotidiano (MLC) Intern, Dominican University
David is a Junior at Dominican University and is currently an intern in Youth Programming. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Spanish and a minor in Italian. Alongside, he is completing the K-12 teacher licensure program. He is excited to work with the community of Proviso and continue to develop it. He looks forward to making a positive impact on the community and most importantly, on the youth.
Ministry en lo Cotidiano (MLC) Intern, Dominican University
David is a Junior at Dominican University and is currently an intern in Youth Programming. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Spanish and a minor in Italian. Alongside, he is completing the K-12 teacher licensure program. He is excited to work with the community of Proviso and continue to develop it. He looks forward to making a positive impact on the community and most importantly, on the youth.
