ABOUT US

Our Staff

Dedicated. Experienced. Passionate.

Our Staff

Dedicated. Experienced. Passionate.

We LOVE the work we do!

The HACES Family

At HACES, we strive for a culture of service, not only to our clients but also to the emotional and professional well-being of our staff. As an organization, we foster a sense of:

  • Respect and fairness
  • Trust and integrity
  • Teamwork
  • Employee engagement and opportunities for advancement 
  • Communication and transparency
  • Diversity 
  • Results

Meet Our Team

Maria Elena Jonas

Executive Director
Department of Justice Accredited

Alicia M. Garcia

Director of Programs

Sharon Harris

Director of Human Resources 

Edward Carl Douglas

Director of Finance

Nidia I. Ortiz-Cahue

Finance Manager

Diana Galarza

Development & Marketing Coordinator

John Paul Martinez

Marketing Intern

Julián López Enriquez

Community Relations Manager

Evelyn Campos

Immigration Program Manager
(Illinois Access to Justice)
Department of Justice Accredited

Cindy Ruiz

Immigration Case Worker 
(Illinois Access to Justice)
Department of Justice Accredited

Lupita Canales

Asylum Program Manager

Dana Molina

Legal Intern

Martha Hernandez

NAI Program Manager
(New Americans Initiative)

Mariajose Ruiz

Citizenship Case Worker

Maria Gutierrez

DACA Case Worker
(New Americans Initiative)

Rosa Elena Galarza

Outreach & Education Coordinator
(New Americans Initiative)

Maria Milan

Administrative Support
(New Americans Initiative)

Nancy Trejo

Administrative Support
(New Americans Initiative)

Beatriz Aguilera-Tenorio

IFHRP / SBA / SMASS Program Manager (Immigrant Family Health Resource Program) (Southern Border Asylee)
(Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services)

Laura Ming

Client Intake Coordinator

Abigail Markuson

SMASS Case Worker
(Supporting Municipalities for Asylum Seeker Services)

Linda Gonzalez

Administrative Support
(Immigrant Family Resource Program)

Elizabeth Montano

IFRP Program Manager 
(Immigrant Family Resource Program)

Lesley Tenorio

IFRP Case Worker
(Immigrant Family Resource Program)

Jennifer Ayala

IFSP Case Worker
(Immigrant Family Support Program)

Ivette Martinez

Parent Mentor Program Manager

Adriana Ocampo

Parent Mentor Coordinator

Itzel Martinez

Parent Mentor Coordinator

Claudia Rosiles

Parent Mentor Coordinator

Angelica Castrejon

Parent Mentor Coordinator

Maria Gallegos

Parent Mentor Coordinator

Irma Wheeler Cisneros

Parent Mentor Coordinator

Meet Our CEO

HACES’ President, CEO and founder, Maria-Elena Jonas, is a recipient of many local and national awards for her work on behalf of the immigrant community. In her 30 years of community work, she has opened the path for immigrant families to secure a brighter future in their new home in the US.

Meet Our CEO

HACES’ President, CEO and founder, Maria-Elena Jonas, is a recipient of many local and national awards for her work on behalf of the immigrant community. In her 30 years of community work, she has opened the path for immigrant families to secure a brighter future in their new home in the US.

“HACES is the best place where people can receive support, help and services; thanks to HACES and María Gutiérrez, my life changed tremendously.”
SARA
Client of HACES
“HACES is the best place where people can receive support, help and services; thanks to HACES and María Gutiérrez, my life changed tremendously.”
SARA
Client of HACES

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