Letter from the Director...
EXCITING NEWS!
During the past year, several significant changes occurred at the Community Center:
- The Community Center’s child care site located at OPRFHS was closed and the infant and toddler programs were relocated to the River Forest building
- Existing classrooms at the River Forest site were renovated to accommodate the relocation of the infant and toddler classes and the new classrooms were opened for the start of the 2024-2025 school year
- the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services amended the Center’s license enabling the Center to operate State licensed programs for infants, toddlers and two year olds in addition to the preschool and school-age programs that have previously been licensed
Additionally, one of the most noteworthy facts about the classroom renovations is they were completed without using tax dollars!! The River Forest Community Center is a self-supporting organization that derives its operating budget from program user fees. Historically, the Community Center was incorporated in 1975 as an Illinois not-for-profit organization with a mission of providing recreational, social and educational programs for residents of River Forest and surrounding communities. The Community Center CANNOT and DOES NOT tax River Forest residents.
Going forward, the Community Center will continue to provide quality programs at a reasonable cost. As always, the Community Center sincerely appreciates our participants who have remained committed to and shown confidence in our ability to provide quality programs. In addition to its own programs, the Community Center has also developed a number of key partnerships with other community organizations and agencies to benefit residents and program participants. Each of these partnerships are vital to the overall success of the Community Center and include:
- River Forest School District 90 - shared resources, facilities, and services for residents plus the Blended Preschool program which is available to Village residents as part of the Illinois state-mandated Pre-Kindergarten program.Â
- River Forest Township - shared resources, facilities, and services for the benefit of residents plus joint sponsorship of numerous programs for youth and senior citizens.
- Oak Park/River Forest High School District 200 – shared resources plus hosting the Community Integrated Transition Education (CITE) program for OPRFHS students.
- Opportunity Knocks (OK) – expanded programs at the Community Center
Participants and visitors are encouraged to check out the Center’s website at www.rfcc.info to view our online program brochure and available programs. As always, the Community Center prides itself on offering quality programs at a reasonable cost and sincerely thanks our participants for their continued support. We look forward to seeing you in one of our future programs!
-Dick Chappell, CPRP
Executive Director, RFCC
Our Team
Executive Director
Dick Chappell
Early Childhood Directors
Lia Madonia-Garcia
Sandy Pina (Infant & Toddler)
Karen Byczek-Osuch
Assistant Director
Office Staff
Jane Brennan
Financial Manager
Eva Kessel
Business Office & Administrative Manager
Melva Perez
Administrative Assistant
Early Childhood Staff
Brenda Botello
Katie Brown
Gloria DiNuzzo
Kaitlin Kent
Angela Kremidas
Katie Larson
Leticia Lira (Kruzin Krew)
Yara Luna
Su Perera
Ian Reilly
Chris Uchison
Tina Utas
Erica Von Ebers
Building Supervisors
Jose Ochoa
(Rental Coordinator)