What’s Happening: Student Spotlights, News, and Events
We’re so excited to be partnering with Music Theater Works on its next production, GODSPELL!
We are excited to announce that our Evanston Café has fully reopened its doors.
Executive Chef, Byron Gonzalez, Celebrates 10 Years with Curt's Café!
Learn more about the student selected for our September Student Spotlight!
Upcoming Events
TBD
At Curt’s you’ll find freshly brewed coffee, homemade pastries, inspired sandwiches, soups, and salads in a warm and welcoming home away from home.
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Graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BA in Theatre Design, Production and technology with a focus in scenic design, properties management and stage management; Bri then won The Michael Merritt award for excellence in collaborative design in 2020. Having worked with American Blues Theatre, Forest Park Theatre Company and returned to their alma mater as a properties designer, Bri has worked as a Stage Technician with Blue Man Group as well as a Wardrobe and Makeup Professional. Before moving on to Curt’s cafe, Bri worked as a barista at Caffe Umbria in Chicago.
Dr. Corinne Rice is a strategic Human Capital executive with more than 15 years of experience aligning talent strategy to enterprise growth, risk management, and long-term value creation. She advises senior leaders and boards on leadership succession, organizational effectiveness, culture, and workforce transformation within complex, global organizations. Corinne previously held senior HR leadership roles at Walgreens, influencing talent strategy across a workforce of more than 400,000 employees worldwide.
Her expertise includes CEO and executive succession planning, performance governance, leadership pipeline development, DEI strategy, and workforce analytics, with a disciplined focus on measurable outcomes and sustainable impact. She also serves as adjunct faculty at DePaul University’s business school, equipping future leaders to navigate disruption and change. Corinne holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA, and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Bio coming soon
Dr. Maureen Sweeney is the owner and clinical director of Sweeney, Augustin and Associates and has 44 years of experience working with children and adults with speech and language disorders. In addition to being an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern University, she serves on the Board of the North Suburban Speech and Language Association (NSSLA) and is a past president. She is a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Endeavor Health and a founding member of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project now a part of Howard Brown Health. Dr. Sweeney completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Northwestern University.
Mr. Emory Brown is a community empowerment advocate dedicated to building businesses and educational programming to serve underserved communities. He has been a marketing professional for the last 25 years with a mission to create good wherever and whenever given the opportunity. He is a Creative Director/Educator crafting award winning campaigns and educational programs for brands, like Wal-mart, Miller Coors, IDOT, Signode, Columbia College Chicago, SAIC and Project Osmosis. Emory is now using his communications talent to help renovate communities on the Southside of Chicago and teach families what it takes to build generational wealth with real estate.
I earned my Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health from National Louis University in 2017 and received my LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) license in March 2025. I have experience with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and belief systems. I have worked with adults who have Severe and Persistent Mental Illness such as Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar I, as well as co-occurring Substance Use disorders. I have also worked with children ages 4-17 years old. I take a person-centered approach and love providing therapy to children and their families to help them navigate and cope with challenges in their lives. I strive to assist clients and their families in processing emotions and learning coping skills to manage everyday stressors and decrease symptoms. With the necessary tools and skills at our disposal, it is easier to identify triggers, notice warning signs, and find ways to better prepare for oncoming stressors and challenges. I utilize CBT, DBT, and trauma focused approaches.
Fun fact, my undergraduate degree is a B.S. in Art with an emphasis on Photography from Illinois State University.
My era as a City of Evanston Outreach Worker has ended after 3.5 years. My take away working for the city includes gained experience working for and supporting my community in whatever capacity needed. It has made me an even more well-rounded mental health professional.
I am starting the next journey of my life by accepting the position of Social Services Director with Curt’s Café. I am also able to pursue more opportunities for my business, Center for Mental Resilience.
I am a board member of the Childrens Advocacy Center of North Cook, a board member of Friends of Evanston Farmers Market, and a board member of NAMI CCNS (I’m also a Certified Facilitator for the NAMI “Sharing Hope” workshops.
I am a chartering member of NCNW(National Council of Negro Women) North Section. And I am a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and part of the Central Region Mental Health Panel.
Bio coming soon.
Mearieta graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with her Masters in European Union Studies and a Bachelors in Anthropology, Global Studies, and Spanish. She is passionate about languages, teaching, and sticking up for the little guy. Growing up in her mom’s café in Chicago, Mearieta is used to the smell of coffee and the sound of people. She brings experience in event planning and coordinating, and is excited to start her new position as Marketing Coordinator at Curt’s Cafe.
As a proud Evanston native, Marchunette has dedicated her career to strengthening the community she has always called home. A Summa cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), she brings a strong blend of academic excellence, service-driven leadership, and hands-on experience to her role as a Social Worker at Curt’s Café.
Her professional path began in nursing, where she gained a deep foundation in compassionate, person-centered care. Motivated to expand her impact, she transitioned into social work and later worked in ABA therapy, supporting individuals and families through evidence-based behavioral interventions.
During her time at UTA, she interned with Trinity Habitat for Humanity, where she played a key role in volunteer engagement and community outreach. Most notably, she was responsible for creating the Habitat Champions program, an initiative designed to empower community ambassadors, strengthen partnerships, and expand the organization’s reach.
Today, she brings all of these experiences to Curt’s Café, where she is committed to empowering young adults, fostering resilience, and helping community members overcome barriers to success. Known for her warmth, advocacy, and genuine passion for service, Marchunette strives to uplift others and cultivate meaningful change.
Rooted in Evanston and driven by purpose, she is honored to give back to the community that shaped her—and to help build brighter futures for those she serves.
Jeremiah is a dedicated community leader with over 12 years of experience in various roles in the judicial government sector, including counselor, health and wellness coordinator, probation officer, and presently the Principal Resource Liaison for the Juvenile Court in Vernon Hills, Illinois. In this role, he manages the coordination of treatment and support services for all youth associated with the judicial system. He has served on numerous community stakeholder committees and task forces as the subject matter expert in community relations, youth treatment resources, and restorative practices. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is actively working toward completing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration at DePaul University. He is a proud husband and father of two daughters and a son. His personal life as a father is deeply intertwined with his professional mission of serving the community and impacting the lives of young people. As a member of the Board of Directors at Curt’s Café, he plans to continue transforming the lives of youth and inspiring them to be great at whatever they aspire to achieve.
Dana started her own company, The HUMAN Organization, to provide these and other services. She held human resources management positions in both the private and non-profit sectors and spent over three years as an investigator with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Dana has always championed the rights of individuals, especially women and girls.
Nehama brings a wealth of Social Service experience to Curt’s Café. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University, Chicago., IL. and is also a practicing Child and Family Therapist. Nehama has developed and facilitated women’s group therapy and life skills coaching. In the past five years, she has received trauma training and has been helping young adult and adult clients explore and heal from trauma. Furthermore, Nehama has been supervising social work students and therapists in the field.
She was a Co-founder and Clinical Director at Our House – Evanston, a home for homeless youth in Evanston. Nehama has been doing this work for young adults for over 35 years.
Rick comes to Curt’s with 36 years of management and sales experience with the DuPont Company Prior to that, he played professional basketball in the NBA with the Golden St. Warriors. With a passion for helping youth, he has been a coach and mentor in the Fellowship of Afro-American Youth Basketball program for 36 years, serving on the Executive Committee and as Past President. He has also served as a member and as President of Evanston’s Recreation Board. Rick’s leadership style revolves around team effort; he practices that at Curt’s!
Alena is an educator with 33 years of experience in various roles, including classroom teacher at Waukegan High School, department chair at Highland Park High School, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Barrington School District 220. After retiring from the public school system, Alena served as a senior associate with ECRA Group.
In addition to being elected to the District 113 School Board, Alena has also served as board liaison to the District 113 Foundation and as a member of the Family Services of Lake County Board. Currently, Alena volunteers and serves on the Development Team of Curt’s Cafe, conducts the environmental book club (Go Green Highland Park), and serves on the committee organizing CommUNITY Dinners.
Alena and her husband, Ken, have raised three children and spend as much time as possible with their four grandchildren. While serving on the Board of Directors at Curt’s Café, Alena can continue to pursue her lifelong mission of improving the lives of young people through greater access to high-quality, impactful education.
Greg joins the Curt’s Café Board as a former employee of Curt’s, a product of the Evanston community and a staunch advocate of uplifting youth. He started with Curt’s to update Life Skills, Graduate and Experiential Programs while working closely with social service workers to bring the very best to students.
Greg is a 2007 graduate of Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, majoring in sports management and marketing. He has enjoyed a number of sales jobs since graduation but his desire to advocate for young adults has been his calling. Greg is currently employed by the City of Evanston’s Youth and Young Adults Division of the Recreation Dept.
Steve has been on several non-profit boards. All of them have involved working with disadvantaged people and working to improve their lives. Steve and his wife became aware of Curt’s Café when friends of theirs invited them to a presentation about the planned opening of a Highland Park location. They immediately became interested in the organization’s work, attended fund-raisers prior to the opening of the Highland Park Café, attended the grand opening, and delivered meals during the pandemic from Curts to a shelter in Evanston (the Margarita Inn). His wife started meeting a group of her friends for coffee every Tuesday morning at the Highland Park Curt’s. The more Steve learned about Curt’s mission and how it operates, the more interested he became in becoming involved. He put his name in to join the board during the summer of 2023 and became a board member in November of 2023. He is very glad he did.
I learned about Curt’s Cafe from the senior pastor at our church in Deerfield. I took Curt’s purpose and history to our Mission Service Council, and we embraced it as a new, local organization that we wanted to support. I became a member of the Highland Park advisory board, working on fundraising, publicity, and site development. I am now excited to be a member of the Curt’s Cafe Board.
I attended high school in Evanston and returned here with my wife to raise our four children. This is a community that has meant so much to us, and it is critically important to me to support and give back to it, even more so following my retirement after forty years of practicing law at Sidley Austin LLP. While I have long been and remain involved in various nonprofits, pro bono and social justice activities, I count myself particularly fortunate to serve as part of the Curt’s Café team. And a team is really what we are, with passionate commitments by staff, students and volunteers together with the intimacy of individual lives touched. I am a Board member for one simple reason: Curt’s changes lives.
Audrey French has been a member of the Curt’s Board of Directors for 6 years, served as Vice President for 3 years and is thrilled and honored to be the Board President. She has lived in Evanston more than 30 years and been an active volunteer on many boards and as a member of the Evanston Quaker Meeting. Audrey is an Infectious Disease Physician who has spent her career at Cook County Hospital. Her primary focus is on HIV care and prevention – in this capacity she has seen firsthand the devastating impact of trauma and lack of opportunity on health and well-being. She is proud to lead Curt’s as we do the vital work of healing trauma and providing opportunities for young people in Evanston and Highland Park.
Frank is a dynamic Executive and leader who has utilized a formal education in economics and finance to drive fiscal discipline and growth in sales, marketing, and finance across multiple consumer products companies. A team player and developer of talent. Frank is a hands-on strategist with excellent project management and analytical skills. Frank is President and Founder of B.R.R. Properties, which buys, renovates, and rents single-family houses. He has developed a team of contractors to renovate, update, and rent the properties to a diverse set of tenants. Frank is looking to leverage talents in the non-profit housing arena. He has significant volunteer experience, including serving as Co-President and board member for Open Communities, where he is a strong advocate for fair housing. Additionally, he recently served on the board of The Harbour, a non-profit organization that provides housing and essential life skills to homeless young women.
Rich Basofin is a consultant and advisor to not-for-profit organizations (NFPs). He has worked with several organizations that provide a variety of services in the arts, mental health, Native American communities, public libraries, and more. Rich has served on numerous boards over time and currently sits on four NFP boards. He was the CFO of a community mental health center. Rich’s involvement with Curt’s began by joining the team that was working on opening a café in Highland Park. He is now a member of the board and is very proud to serve alongside a talented group of students, staff, volunteers, and board members. Rich has children and grandchildren in Chicago, on the West Coast, and in Israel. Along with family and friends, Rich enjoys spending time with Uncle Matty, his (overly energetic) Vizsla dog.
During my working career, as time permitted, I was an active supporter of organizations that share my social justice viewpoint. As my professional career has begun to wind down, I have taken on a more active role in these endeavors. I was a member of the Highland Park task force that successfully brought Curt’s Café to Highland Park.
Bio coming soon.
Elijauh began his journey with Curt’s Café as a student, where his passion for culinary arts and community engagement first emerged. His dedication and enthusiasm quickly led to an internship, followed by participation in Curt’s impactful E-Leader program—an experience that allowed them to develop leadership skills while mentoring peers and contributing meaningfully to the café’s mission.
Now a valued staff member and Chef Assistant, Elijauh has mastered both the Front of House and Back of House operations. Whether managing customer interactions or preparing dishes behind the scenes, he brings professionalism, adaptability, and a strong work ethic to every aspect of the café environment.
Elijauh is especially passionate about working with youth, finding inspiration in their energy and potential. He aims to be a positive role model and make a change, using his role in the culinary field not only to serve great food but also to empower the next generation and contribute to a more supportive, inclusive society.
Jennifer’s journey with Curt’s Café began as a young adult participating in the café’s catering program, where she developed foundational skills in hospitality and service. Today, she brings that experience full circle as the Front of House Manager, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and valued.
In addition to her role at Curt’s Café, Jennifer is a dedicated business owner who runs her own esthetics practice. She empowers her clients through self-care and helps them build confidence. Her dual roles demonstrate her deep commitment to the community, personal growth, and the transformative mission of Curt’s Café.
Abigail completed her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in 2024 and is deeply committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for young people who are often navigating significant personal and systemic challenges.
Abigail’s journey with Curt’s Café began as a social work intern. During that time, she formed strong connections with students and staff, gaining valuable insight into the power of community-based support. After completing her internship, she was honored to join the Curt’s Café staff team full-time—a role that felt like a natural extension of her purpose and passion.
At Curt’s Café, Abigail is known for her warm presence, consistency, and commitment to creating a community where every student feels seen and heard. She works side-by-side with young people as they build job skills, navigate personal growth, and take steps toward a brighter future. Whether it’s through one-on-one support, daily encouragement, or simply holding space for students to be themselves, Abigail shows up with heart and purpose every day.
For Abigail, the most fulfilling part of her work is seeing former students return after graduation—thriving, confident, and proud of how far they’ve come. Witnessing their growth and hard work is a constant reminder of why she does this work, and it fills her with pride and joy.
Emel is a licensed social worker with a Master’s in Social Work, concentrated in the Justice System, from the University of Illinois at Chicago. With a strong foundation in both direct practice and systemic advocacy, Emel is deeply committed to advancing social justice and equity, particularly for youth and justice-involved populations. Her work focuses on empowering individuals to overcome barriers, access resources, and make lasting, positive changes in their lives. Emel brings a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to every aspect of her practice and is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. She continues to advocate for policies and programs that foster opportunity, reduce recidivism, and promote long-term well-being for underserved communities.
Maddie has a Bachelor’s in Communication and Music minor from University of Illinois at Chicago, and she loves working in marketing at Curt’s Café! Growing up in Evanston, she visited Curt’s and appreciated their mission. Now, she’s excited to work for the organization and enjoys being a part of such a kind and passionate community, surrounded by many talented individuals!
With over 15 years of experience working with nonprofits, Niki has a passion advocating for individuals that are in vulnerable populations to help change the direction of their lives for the better.
Niki is very clear that “fundraising is not just picking up the phone and asking for money.” It is finding the foundations and donors that are passionate about Curt’s mission and the work we do to change the trajectories of our students and young adults’ lives. There are many ways to support Curt’s Café, and Niki is excited to meet with individuals and tell them how they may best support Curt’s.
Niki has a Bachelor of Science and a Master Scholar Certification from Northwestern University.
Niki is from Evanston and has raised her three children and dog Brady in Evanston. When not working, you can find her walking or biking the lakefront, cooking and reading. Her superpower is Pilates!
Tanya is a retired police officer with the City of Evanston and has served on Curt’s Board of Directors since 2019, including serving on the Board’s Executive Committee for the past three years. She has an extensive background in community safety, youth mentoring, community organization, and business strategies. Tanya has a Master of Jurisprudence from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in Children’s Law and Policy, is a Certified Juvenile Officer, and has a certification in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership. Tanya is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a volunteer with CASA Lake County. She believes in supporting youth and helping them succeed.
Byron is currently the Executive Chef at Curt’s Café and has been with Curt’s for nine years. At the age of 16, he fell in love with the culinary world while working his first job in the kitchen. After working in the culinary field for a few years, Byron decided to attend the culinary school of Le Cordon Blue and graduated in 2009. Over the years has continued to work in a variety of kitchens in different restaurants and even as a private chef for sororities/fraternities at Northwestern University. When he came across an opening for a Head Chef position at Curt’s Café, he did some research and knew he wanted this new opportunity. Byron felt he could use some of his personal experiences and his culinary skills to help mentor the students. He wants to make a difference in the youth and community and to show the students there is more out there than what they see.
When working on my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, I was recommended by my professor for an internship at Curt’s Cafe. After my internship, I applied and was accepted for General Manager; I’ve been with Curt’s Cafe since May 2015. I earned a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Business Management in May of 2017. In 2019, I became the Catering Manager for both of our cafes.
“I love one of the sayings here at Curt’s: ‘We will promote education, respect, compassion and integrity, and embrace the philosophy of restorative justice in all we do.’ And the fact that the community is supportive and is reaping the benefits from what Curt’s does, is just another win-win for everyone!”
Clarissa studied at the University of Illinois Chicago and began her career at Countrywide, a mortgage company. However, when the mortgage industry crashed, she transitioned to working as a server in various restaurants and quickly fell in love with the food service industry. This passion led her to attend culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu.
After completing her studies, Clarissa worked at the Fairmont Hotel, a four-diamond establishment, in the banquets department. There, she prepared meals for anywhere from 15 to 1,500 guests, created lunch boxes, crafted $300-per-plate gourmet dinners, and designed various ethnic buffets and hors d’oeuvres, among other responsibilities. In 2016, she opened her own catering company, Gracious Catering, in Glenview, where she catered events for 10 to 300 guests in the North Shore area. Unfortunately, her business was impacted by the Covid pandemic, leading to its closure.
As the world began to reopen after Covid, Clarissa worked at several restaurants as a front-of-house manager, consulted a café to develop a menu, and created a marketing program. Eventually, she secured a position as the Food and Beverage Manager at Embassy Suites Deerfield, where she managed the restaurant, bar, breakfast area, meeting rooms, and banquet events. During this time, she learned bartending and utilized her first-level Sommelier certification.
A year later, she moved to Sable Hotel in Chicago, a Hilton-operated hotel, where she helped manage Lirica, a high-volume restaurant that sometimes generated sales of over $30,000 per day. She also assisted with high-priced events at the hotel, which ranged from $100,000 to $200,000.
Now, Clarissa is excited to join Curt’s Cafe, where she aims to help revamp the café and establish it as a staple for residents of Evanston and Highland Park.
Jenessa has been working in Cafes for 3 years to refine her skills in basic management and excel in her skill of Customer Service. She loves working in cafes and working with young adults so Curt’s Cafe offers her the best of both worlds. Her enthusiasm for her work shows when each guest enters the doors of Curt’s Cafe Evanston!
Danielle currently holds the position of Development Manager at Curt’s Café. She has dedicated three years to Curt’s, during which time she has played a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s reach and impact. Danielle’s passion for Curt’s mission has deep roots, as she had been familiar with the organization and its work long before joining the team. Her decision to join Curt’s was driven by her desire to contribute to a cause she deeply believes in. Her creativity shines through in her work, where she combines innovative marketing strategies with thoughtful development initiatives. Outside of her professional life, Danielle is a dedicated dance instructor, sharing her passion for dance with her students. In her personal life, she is a devoted spouse and parent, constantly on the move with her husband and their four energetic children.
