Maryville, which is located just over Mount Prospect’s eastern border, was founded in 1883. It is a child care organization rooted in Catholic social teaching and dedicated to the preservation of the dignity of children at every age. Our mission is to protect children and strengthen families while helping them reach their fullest potential by empowering their intellectual, spiritual, moral and emotional growth. 

Maryville serves the children and families through our life-changing programs in the following areas: behavioral health services, early childhood services, education services, family and residential services. We care for babies and young adults, ages birth to 21, across all of our programs in Bartlett, Chicago and Des Plaines. 

During fiscal year 2019 Maryville served more than 8,700 children, families and adults and more than 5,000 children, families and adults in fiscal year 2020 (the decrease in number served was due to the pandemic). Maryville has about 500 staff members at its Bartlett, Chicago and Des Plaines campuses. On the Des Plaines campus, we have approximately 70 children in residence. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, serving our beautiful ministry of protecting children and families in our care was paramount. As soon as Gov. Pritzker ordered the lockdown, our Executive Director Sister Catherine M. Ryan, O.S.F. and Maryville’s leadership council moved to action swiftly. Necessary precautions were taken immediately to protect the children, families and staff. 

Our Jen School Principal Anne Craig submitted its remote learning plan to the Illinois State Board of Education and received approval right away. Our Jen School faculty took up the challenge of going from in-person to remote learning. Maryville shelter, residential and health care programs continued to care for the children. 

When Gov. Pritzker announced the stay-at-home order in late March of 2020, some Maryville staff in support departments did so and worked from home. Staff in family and residential homes continued to report to work daily to care for the children who are not able to be at home for a period of time. 

Maryville did not have any serious outbreaks. Safety protocols such as social distancing of at least six feet from any other person, frequent hand washing, wearing of face coverings and checking of temperature at each building were strictly implemented and followed. Deep cleaning was enforced and air filtration in our homes and administrative offices was improved. Additionally, all programs were closed to outside visitors and non-essential medical appointments for our children were canceled. 

To accommodate remote learning, our information technology (IT) department provided additional Chromebooks to our youth whose school buildings were closed. 

In addition to providing tools for a successful remote learning experience, the children and young adults in our residential programs were engaged with different educational activities that allowed them a virtual classroom experience. For instance, the girls on our Eisenberg campus engaged in arts and crafts such as painting, decorating small tote bags with donated art materials, making a piñata, brainstorming science fair ideas, learning the history of the Ferris Wheel in Chicago while they bult popsicle stick Ferris Wheels, playing games and many more. 

Maryville’s IT department made it possible for our children and youth to learn remotely and for staff to hold meetings virtually. All of our programs adapted – and warmed up – to using technology to communicate and get connected. 

Maryville’s leadership team, led by Sister Cathy, sent daily communication via email to all staff. She made sure that staff had the most up-to-date information from Gov. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lightfoot’s offices, IDPH, CDC and other partner agencies, and what that meant for Maryville and staff. One of the first communication emails that Sister Cathy sent was announcing to staff that no one would be laid off. Sister Cathy and her leadership team had daily conference calls to discuss communication and updates to staff. 

We purchased PPEs, enforced deep cleaning and improved air filtration in our group homes and administrative offices at all campuses. 

Once vaccines became available, as essential workers, Maryville’s frontline workers were included in the first phase of the rollout. The majority of Maryville’s staff are vaccinated and we are working on having the youth in our care, ages 12 and older, get vaccinated. 

Maryville does not foresee any long-term changes due to the pandemic but having the option of offering remote learning to students and virtual meetings to staff when needed – and knowing that they work – shows how Maryville proactively reacted and acted swiftly to address the challenges that unfolded. We strictly adhered to, implemented and followed safety protocols that protected our children and staff; allowed Maryville to operate daily; and allowed staff to keep their jobs. 

Planning for the future includes consideration of what actions we would take in the event of another pandemic.

(Posted on Mount Prospect Historical Society website – https://www.mtphist.org/maryville-academy-continued-to-serve-children-and-families-through-pandemic/)

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Maryville Jen School’s new school year that started quietly Monday, Aug. 16, ushered in its 15th year as a leader in providing career and vocational instruction to students with special education needs in Illinois.

Principal Anne Craig said it was a quiet first day, but it was contrasted by her staff’s excitement in seeing the students in person.

“There was a lot of ‘great to see you,’ ‘I missed you,’ or ‘wow, you look great’ heard in the hallways of Jen School,” Craig said. “While new students were welcomed with ‘we are so happy you are here’ by staff.”

Craig described it as a seamless transition from summer break back into the routine of a new school year. She said she always looks forward to it because it is full of promise.

“As educators, August is a time of renewal and new beginnings. We get the opportunity to once again positively impact our students’ lives,” she said.

Craig is motivated and excited to see her four goals come to fruition this school year. These goals are:

• Expanding curriculum opportunities for students in the core content areas, as well as in Career Technical Education.

• Continuing to build partnerships with school districts and community.

• Expanding the CTE program opportunities for students.

• Having fun and enjoying the experience with students and staff.

“We have a great deal to be proud of in terms of the type of programming we provide and the direction we are going with the expansion of our Career Technical Education instruction,” she said.

Heather Lischett, assistant principal for vocational ed services, feels this school year started on a more hopeful note than last year with having everyone in person. She said they are still following mitigations, masking and worrying about symptoms and exposure.

“While COVID is still a very real threat, the students who returned this year are excited and motivated to continue their high school journey on the path to adulthood,” she said.

Lischett looks forward to the new school year, particularly Jen School’s CTE Extension program.

“It will have a new look and feel this year as we move students around for more hands-on experiences in a wider variety of job sites,” she said.

The program will follow a new curriculum for college and career preparation, according to Lischett.

“We are excited to expand this program and hopefully add more Career and Technical Education courses to our catalog very soon.”

Lischett said she is happy for every day that she, her colleagues and students can be together in person.

Jen School Counselor Kathleen M.L. Samuelson said staff could not be happier.

“It’s been a long time coming. Building and maintaining connections with our students is our top priority,” she said. “We are looking forward to getting back to business.”

Samuelson said that remote learning created challenges.

“We are excited to return to regular programming, allowing us to integrate experiential learning, social emotional learning and academic instruction that are meaningful and student-focused,” she added.

Craig, who is Maryville’s director of educational services, added that her faculty has been working hard conducting curriculum audits, reviewing and selecting materials suited for students and the school.

“I look forward to seeing our collective and measurable progress as we work together in meeting our goals to ensure our students’ success,” she said.

About Maryville Jen School

Maryville Jen School in Des Plaines is recognized as a National Association of Special Education Teacher (NASET) School of Excellence for eight consecutive years.

Maryville was founded in 1883, and has child care and social services facilities in Chicago and the suburbs.

For information on Jen School, visit www.jenschool.org

Arielle Brown was only 19 when she had her daughter Ava. She was alone, homeless and suffered from postpartum depression when she decided to walk away from the cycle of abuse she experienced growing up and in the hands of Ava’s father.

“I was in a crazy situation and I had no one to watch Ava when I had to go to court to file for an order of protection from her father,” Brown said. “It was my saving grace to have found the Maryville Crisis Nursery at the time that I did.”

Brown said Ava was very young when she learned about the Maryville Crisis Nursery. “It saved my life when I needed help,” she said. “The staff were very kind to me and Ava, there was no judgment, it is so clean and accommodating to babies.”

Brown used the Maryville Crisis Nursery twice as her daughter was growing up. She said she had no problem leaving her at the Nursery because she trusted the people there. “I feel safe and it’s totally different from anything that I have experienced after living in more than 20 transitional homes.” Brown said.

The Maryville Crisis Nursery, the only crisis nursery in Cook and Lake counties, is happy to hear success stories like Brown’s as it spreads awareness to help keep children safe.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the work of the Maryville staff and programs, and the critical role they play in reducing the risk of child maltreatment are recognized.

“When you are thinking about young children and the things that they see and the things that they hear, we all know that there are times where it’s not in the best interest of the children to be around those environments,” said Amy Kendal, Maryville Crisis Nursery director. “So let them be in a place like the Crisis Nursery while the parents, guardians and other community members attend to the things that they need to do so that they can really embrace their children and move forward and be the best that they can be.”

Through its work with caregivers and the children in its care, the Maryville Crisis Nursery provides critical support to prevent the maltreatment of children. Its FY 2020 numbers further tell the story.

Child Care Services:        

872 children and their families served

38,998 hours of crisis care services

5,523 healthy meals enjoyed

Helpline Services to Families in Need:

1,169 Crisis Helpline calls

12,799 Crisis Helpline minutes

1,142 Referrals to Community Resources

Caregiver Impact:

85.6% of parents reported a decrease in their stress level

92.3% of parents reported improvement in parenting

94.2% of parents reported a reduced risk of child maltreatment

“When put in the correct context, these numbers provide insight into the Crisis Nursery, its work and its impact on the community’s effort to reduce child maltreatment,” said Adam Avrushin, Maryville’s Department of Strategic Performance director. “We cannot only provide a few stories from caregivers about their experience with the Crisis Nursery, we can show them with the numbers that we used to measure our impact.”

The Maryville Crisis Nursery opened its doors in July 2006 and serves children ages birth to 6. It offers free year-round services 24/7 for parents experiencing an emergency or a crisis such as homelessness, domestic violence, medical issues, unemployment, poverty or parental stress. Parents or caregivers can call the 24-hour Crisis Helpline at 773-205-3637.

For more information on the Maryville Crisis Nursery, visit www.maryvilleacademy.org

Daily Herald online version (posted 04/14/21) – https://bit.ly/2Q8QtdY

The Illinois Professional Golf Association (IPGA) has selected Maryville Golf Academy Manager Juan Espejo as the 2020 Illinois PGA Distinguished Service Award winner, an award he also received in 2015. The IPGA made the announcement Tuesday,  February 16.

The award honors Espejo’s leadership and humanitarian qualities, including his integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf. He has worked at the Maryville Golf Academy for 26 years and shares his love for the game with youth, ages 12 to 18, and provides golf lessons and instructions in caddying, club repair, golf ball recycling, golf facility operations and tournament management.

“It humbles me to receive this award. I view it as simply a reflection of Maryville Academy where we are working together to care for children and strengthen families,” Espejo said. “While working to be present, I am very lucky to be in the position to help a person who might just need a little smile in their lives and witness it. It’s a great feeling.”

The Maryville Golf Academy (MVA) was established in 1994 to offer the Maryville children residing at the Des Plaines campus the opportunity to work, play and practice golf at neighboring PGA-led facilities. Its players are exposed to the values and lessons inherent in the game such as respect, etiquette, honesty, perseverance, responsibility, discipline and sportsmanship.

Espejo has been involved with PGA HOPE and executes the annual IPGA/Maryville Gleason Cup Invitational. He is involved with the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars program and raises funds for the Evanston Par Club initiative. He is also a mentor for the WGA Caddie Program.

The 2020 Distinguished Service Award is Espejo’s fourth Illinois PGA Special Award. He is a two-time Illinois PGA Youth Player Development Award winner (1998, 1999) and is now a two-time Illinois PGA Distinguished Service Award Winner (2015, 2020). Espejo was the inaugural recipient of this award in 2015.

Mark Labiak (Ruth Lake Country Club) has been selected as the 2020 Illinois PGA Professional of the Year and the following are the 2020 Special Award winners:

• Mark Labiak, PGA (Ruth Lake Country Club) – Professional of the Year
• Chris Green, PGA (Glen View Club) – Teacher of the Year
• Mark Hirn, PGA (Bloomington Country Club) – Assistant Professional of the Year
• Dan Shelden, PGA (Ruth Lake Country Club) – Youth Player Development Award
• Vince Juarez, PGA (KemperSports) – Bill Strausbaugh Award
• Nick Papadakes, PGA (Onwentsia Club) – PGA Professional Development Award
• Connie DeMattia, PGA (Cantigny Golf) – Player Development Award
• Don Habjan, PGA (Makray Memorial Golf Club) – Bill Heald Career Achievement Award
• Ian Brown, PGA (Butterfield Country Club) – Merchandiser of the Year – Private
• Juan Espejo, PGA (Maryville Golf Academy) – Distinguished Service Award
• Jamie Nieto, PGA (The Preserve at Oak Meadows) – Deacon Palmer Award
• Mike Hainline, PGA (Odyssey Golf Foundation Golf Course) – Patriot Award
• Mike Williams, PGA (Landscapes Unlimited) – PGA Executive of the Year

“We are fortunate to have such an outstanding group of PGA Professionals that make up the Illinois PGA Section. Selecting a handful of members for these prestigious awards is never easy, but these professionals have shown extraordinary dedication to growing and improving the game of golf for everyone within the boundaries of the Section,” said Carrie Williams, executive director of the Illinois Section, in a press release. “This year’s Special Award winners exemplify all that PGA Professionals have to offer as experts in the business and game of golf.”

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman

Maryville announces the promotion of two longtime members of its leadership council. Nina Aliprandi and Evelyn Smith are promoted to new associate executive directors who, in addition to running their respective programs, will now take up new leadership responsibilities with the Maryville Board of Directors, with government agencies, and with community partners.  They will also lead Maryville’s initiative to assess its current organizational culture and advance diversity, equity and inclusion.

Aliprandi began her ministry at Maryville in 1986, working with the children in the homes. From 1991 through 2005, she worked as a coordinator managing shelter, diagnostic and residential programs.  In 2005, Aliprandi became director of what is now called the Family Services Division and will continue this work in her new role.  She has received certifications for CPR, first aid, infection control, medication education and monitoring, and crisis prevention intervention.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration degree from Western Illinois University and her Master of Arts Community and Family Counseling degree from Northeastern Illinois University.

Evelyn Smith began her ministry at Maryville in 1991.  Smith started as a family educator, then took up the increasing responsibilities as assistant program manager, case manager, program manager and program consultant.  In 2005, Smith became director of what is now called the Residential Services Division.  She, too, will continue this work.

Smith earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree from Southern University and her Master’s in Applied Professional Studies degree from DePaul University and her Master’s in Bible Studies degree from Moody Bible Institute.

“Evelyn and Nina are two leaders who have a dream to change the world for our children and their families.  Now they will continue to reach for the stars for our children in their new positions,” said Maryville Executive Director Sr. Catherine M. Ryan, O.S.F.

In addition to their new roles as associate executive directors, Aliprandi oversees the Children’s Healthcare Center, Casa Imani, St. Monica Home and the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) programs while Smith supervises Casa Salama, St. Dominic Savio and St. Teresa of Calcutta programs.