Our Team

Our staff and executive board are committed to our organization and supporting the families we serve.

Our Staff

Pat Rivera, Founder

Patricia Rivera holds a Master of Social Work Degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work, Chicago, Illinois. She retired in 2010, after 33 years as a school social worker for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), with the last 7 years as the administrator for the CPS Homeless Education Program. After she retired and CPS cut the funding for the shelter-based tutoring program, she and a group of dedicated volunteers founded Chicago HOPES for Kids. She retired as executive director in 2019 and but continues to volunteer regularly and remains on our Board of Directors.

Rita Kahn, Executive Director

Rita began her career working in Human Resources for General Motors in Detroit, MI. She spent fifteen years in the Corporate world working for GM, Whirlpool, and Synovate in Human Resources and Market Research when she decided it was time for a change. She earned her Masters in Education and taught high school for a brief time before making her way into the non-profit world as a development Professional. She has worked in development for Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry and now with Chicago HOPES for Kids. At HOPES, She is responsible for attracting new donors and supporters to our organization and building relationships with current donors. She manages the donor database, website, social media, grant applications, events and fundraising campaigns.

Erica Walker, MA, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Senior Program Manager

Erica joined Chicago HOPES for Kids in 2018, bringing two decades of experience in education, social service and commitment to the empowerment of youth, families and vulnerable communities. A native of Chicago's South Side, Erica attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire as a Daniel Murphy Scholar. She holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard University with honors in African American Studies. She also holds a master's degree in clinical social work from the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice and is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois. Erica is an avid bibliophile, jewelry designer and cyclist, and is active in several community service capacities in Chicago, including the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and Chicago Public Schools.

Amelia Murphy, Volunteer Manager

Amelia graduated from Loyola University and manages volunteers for Literacy Mentors, After School Program, Summer Program and one time events. She is responsible for the recruitment of volunteers, managing the volunteer database, communication, training, paperwork, events, and surveys. She is also responsible for outreach VISTAS, work study volunteers and non paid volunteers.

Mel Whitehouse, Program Administrator

Mel first joined Chicago HOPES for Kids as a Site Coordinator, where after a year and a half of read-aloud books, enrichment activities, field trips, and one flourishing program room sweet potato plant, she decided that she wanted to be able to devote more energy to HOPES and became an AmeriCorps Member. During her year of AmeriCorps service, her biggest project was launching a new, more expandable model for our Middle School Aged Program. Now as Program Administrator she manages our AmeriCorps program and supports Site Coordinators so that we can continue to provide the most creative, intentional, and impactful programming for our students. When she's not at HOPES Mel likes to create pottery, play board games and swim.

Alex Kirchner, Development Administrator

Alex was first introduced to HOPES as a community volunteer during her studies at Wheaton College. After graduating with her B.A., she committed to a year of AmeriCorps VISTA service with HOPES to pursue her passion for advocacy in Chicago's under-resourced communities. This experience grew her interest and skill in nonprofit development, and she subsequently returned to HOPES in 2020 as Development Administrator. Alex's current role includes managing fundraising campaigns, external communications, grant writing, and events. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, and long road trips.

Alex Galván, Family Engagement and Outreach Administrator

Originally from the Scottsdale neighborhood, Alex Galván graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied Educational Policy and Spanish. Alex first joined HOPES in March of 2018 as an AmeriCorps where she worked on several Outreach and Program efforts until May of 2019. Her passion for working with families experiencing homelessness, as well as her commitment to the HOPES mission, drew her back to HOPES as a full time staff member in May of 2020 and her role includes fostering relationships with shelter partners and families and organizing outreach efforts in the community to elevate the HOPES mission. Alex will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall to pursue a Masters of Social Work, and her favorite donut place in Chicago is Old Fashioned Donuts in the Roseland neighborhood.