Introducing ICOY’s Newest Board Members!
Submitted on August 11, 2025
Publisher: Conor Van Santen
The Illinois Collaboration on Youth’s leadership is excited to introduce the newest members of our Board of Directors! Over the past year, the Board has welcomed five new members:
- Fred Smith, MBA, MPH (he/him), Administrator of Community Services at Maryville Academy. Fred joined the United States Army after high school and served in the 325th Airborne Infantry Paratrooper Unit during Desert Storm. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and dedicates his time to supporting veterans as they transition home or during times of need by volunteering at local Veteran Centers. After completing his military service, Fred joined Lifeline, a substance use disorder program, where he worked as an intake coordinator. In October 1996, he began his journey at Maryville as a Family Educator, working with youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Throughout his tenure at Maryville, Fred has held several positions and currently serves as the Administrator of Community Services and the Director of Compliance. He now oversees Maryville’s Family Behavioral Health Clinic, Crisis Nursery, Mother Recovery Program, and the Compliance Unit.
- Patrick Phelan (he/him), Chief Executive Officer at the Center for Youth and Family Solutions. Prior to joining CYFS as CEO in 2023, Patrick was the President and CEO of Sinnissippi Centers, Inc. for 10 years, focusing primarily on mental health and substance use treatment. Patrick began his career in direct service to individuals and families, working at a Residential Counselor, Outpatient Therapist, Crisis Therapist and Juvenile Justice Mental Health Liaison, and later moved into administrative roles during his 14 years at the Children’s Home Association of Illinois. Patrick has always been active in advocacy and public policy, serving as the Board Chair and later the Public Policy Chair for the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association. His passion for serving kids and families has recently changed his focus to more child welfare and youth services.
- Kathy Grzelak (she/her), Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Inc.
- Summer George (she/her), Child and Family Advocate. Summer is a dedicated Child and Family Advocate with expertise in policy, community collaboration, and program management. As a parent with lived experience, she brings a vital perspective to advancing equitable systems for children and families. Summer serves as Community and Policy Engagement Manager for Illinois State Representative Lindsay LaPointe, supporting legislation that improves outcomes for families. She also contributes to the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative. Her past roles include advocacy for migrant families, legislative research, and volunteer service as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate and community council member for Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. Rooted in relational equity and inclusive representation, Summer remains committed to driving systemic change that amplifies family voices and expands access.
- Curt Holderfield (he/him), Senior Vice President of Child Development and Youth Services at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. Curt is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience in social services with emphasis in the areas of child welfare, foster care, youth development and early childhood education as well as extensive work in management and leadership. In his current role he oversees Head Start and Early Head Start services, foster care and family support services, and college readiness services. In total, these programs reach over 3,000 children and youth annually. For the past 10 plus years, Curt has been teaching part-time at the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice at the University of Chicago where he instructs graduate students and other professionals on matters related to management and supervision within social service organizations. He received his Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Curt has worked for a number of Chicago non-profit organizations and in a variety of direct service and leadership positions. For 18 years, he worked at Chicago Child Care Society (now Family Focus), where he served most recently as Chief Program Officer.
In addition to these introductions, ICOY was also able to interview several of our new Board members and asked them a few questions about their plans for the Board:
- As ICOY continues to actively bring new voices to the decision-making table, what does this mean to you and how does having you both on the Board have the potential to grow ICOY’s equitable lens in the future?
- Fred: ICOY is committed to ensuring that its board reflects the diversity of its members across the state. This commitment includes representing agencies of all sizes and making sure that community members have a voice in the decision-making processes that affect the agencies they serve. As an African American male who grew up in a Chicago housing project, joined the military, and earned two Master’s degrees while working, my 29 years at Maryville have given me a unique perspective on our social services and safety net systems.
- Patrick: One of the things that I learned long ago was that because I am not a member of a minority community or one that has been marginalized, it is my responsibility to work hard to understand the experience of others and how I can be an ally to support them. Although I can never fully appreciate the experience of others my goal has been to hear all the different voices that comprise my organization, and to make it a place that is welcoming to all. So while I don’t bring those experiences from my own life, my goal is to empower the experts to make positive changes and to direct policy and practice that is always focused on equity and inclusion.
- Kathy: I have worked in child welfare for over 30 years and have seen initiatives that have worked and those that have failed to be anchored in community and parent voice. I hope that I can leverage my experiences and learnings over the years to push for a more equitable approach to our collective work
- Summer: As someone with lived experience and a deep commitment to policy, mental health, education, and supporting parents, having a seat at the decision-making table at ICOY is both meaningful and powerful. It represents a shift toward truly valuing the voices of those who have been directly impacted by the systems we’re trying to influence. When people like me—who have navigated these complex systems as a parent—we bring insights that can’t be learned from data alone. My presence ensures that the lived realities of families are not just considered, but centered. Additionally, working alongside a prominent State Representative who shares ICOY’s mission, creates opportunities to advance more inclusive and responsive policies. Looking ahead, this is how ICOY can continue to grow its equitable lens: by making space for diverse experiences, listening deeply, and co-creating solutions with those most affected. I’m proud to be part of that vision.
- Fred: ICOY is committed to ensuring that its board reflects the diversity of its members across the state. This commitment includes representing agencies of all sizes and making sure that community members have a voice in the decision-making processes that affect the agencies they serve. As an African American male who grew up in a Chicago housing project, joined the military, and earned two Master’s degrees while working, my 29 years at Maryville have given me a unique perspective on our social services and safety net systems.
- What about ICOY excites you the most?
- Fred: ICOY advocates for social service providers across the state and is committed to reaching out to smaller community providers that can sometimes be overlooked compared to larger agencies.
- Patrick: ICOY is uniquely positioned given the breadth of activities from the statewide and federal advocacy, to training and supporting organizations, and the impact on our communities directly. ICOY has established strong partnerships with our legislators and leadership at DHS and DCFS, and has a strong focus on racial justice, equity and LGBTQIA+ concerns. All of this uniquely positions ICOY to further shape policy and service provision in the State of Illinois into the future. I am excited to take on a leadership role in an organization where I can be so proud of what we have already accomplished, and so hopeful about the real change to come.
- Kathy: By uniting our efforts and sharing our experiences, we can amplify our collective voice to create meaningful change. Collaborating with like-minded professionals allows us to address the complex needs of the families we support more effectively.
- Summer: What excites me most about ICOY is the opportunity to once again be part of a mission-driven organization that has shaped so much of my professional journey. Having previously worked at ICOY as a policy intern, I know firsthand the impact ICOY has across Illinois in uplifting youth-serving organizations and advocating for policies that prioritize equity and community well-being. I’m especially energized by the chance to learn from a diverse group of leaders on the board, each bringing unique insights, experiences, and perspectives. That kind of environment fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation.
- Fred: ICOY advocates for social service providers across the state and is committed to reaching out to smaller community providers that can sometimes be overlooked compared to larger agencies.
- Can you talk a bit about your organization? What are some high-level programs, services, and locations that you can share for other members to know about your organization?
- Fred: Maryville has been providing essential services to vulnerable children and families in need for over 141 years. The organization is divided into four service areas: Educational Services, Family Services, Behavioral Health Services, and Residential Services. One of its key programs, the Maryville Crisis Nursery, offers free short-term care for parents in distress and facing crises, protecting their children from birth to age 6 from abuse, neglect, or trauma. Additionally, the Children’s Healthcare Center caters to medically fragile and technology-dependent children, ranging from newborns to 21 years old. The Maryville Academy Mother’s Recovery Home Network includes two recovery programs: Saint Monica Homes, located in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago, and Saint Josephine Bakhita Homes, situated in the Austin neighborhood. These facilities provide a residence for up to 28 women aged 18 to 35 and their children up to age 10.
- Patrick: The Center for Youth and Family Solutions has offices in Rock Island, LaSalle, Springfield, Lincoln, Peoria, Galesburg, Macomb, Bloomington, Champaign, Danville and Kewanee Illinois, as well as an outpost in Bettendorf, Iowa. CYFS also operates residential programming in Morton, Illinois. CYFS employees approximately 500 dedicated staff statewide. Approximately 75% of the agency’s staff and resources are dedicated to child welfare programs, particularly Foster Care and Intact Family Services. However, CYFS also has a significant presence in outpatient mental health services in each of our communities, and has multiple contracts that are woven together into a seamless system of care for youth who are at risk of progressing deeper into the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. CYFS operates an infant adoption program and provides services to seniors. CYFS has strong partnerships in our communities, working with schools to provide on-site services, with counties to provide mental health services and care coordination, and has a partnership with a police department to divert individuals in need from arrest and toward treatment.
- Kathy: Kaleidoscope has a rich history of advocating for and supporting youth involved in the child welfare system, having been established over 50 years ago to address the pressing need for enhanced care for these individuals. Initially starting as a group home for young adults, we have adapted and expanded our services to include community-based family support, foster care, and independent living programs. While our roots are firmly planted in child welfare, we are actively shifting towards a preventive model on the west side of Chicago, aiming to address challenges before they escalate. We are located in the West Loop.
- Summer: As the Community and Policy Engagement Manager for Representative LaPointe, the Chair of the Mental Health & Addiction Committee in the Illinois House, I help connect constituents of the 19th District with state resources and advocate for community-driven policy solutions. Our office focuses on issues like mental health, public safety, affordable housing, and economic justice, while also providing direct assistance with state programs like unemployment, SNAP, and Medicaid. We stay active in the community through town halls, events, and partnerships across the far Northwest side of Chicago.
- Fred: Maryville has been providing essential services to vulnerable children and families in need for over 141 years. The organization is divided into four service areas: Educational Services, Family Services, Behavioral Health Services, and Residential Services. One of its key programs, the Maryville Crisis Nursery, offers free short-term care for parents in distress and facing crises, protecting their children from birth to age 6 from abuse, neglect, or trauma. Additionally, the Children’s Healthcare Center caters to medically fragile and technology-dependent children, ranging from newborns to 21 years old. The Maryville Academy Mother’s Recovery Home Network includes two recovery programs: Saint Monica Homes, located in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago, and Saint Josephine Bakhita Homes, situated in the Austin neighborhood. These facilities provide a residence for up to 28 women aged 18 to 35 and their children up to age 10.
- How long have you been in your current role?
- Fred: I have been in my current role as Administrator of Community Services since 2019 and Director of Compliance since 2023.
- Patrick: I joined CYFS as the Chief Executive Officer in September of 2023. However, I have admired this organization and the work that we do for so much longer.
- Kathy: I have served as the Executive Director at Kaleidoscope for 11 years.
- Summer: I was invited to join Representative LaPointe’s team after providing testimony in support of the BEACON portal launch during a press conference with Governor Pritzker. Representative LaPointe and I connected over our shared commitment to expanding policies that support mental health resources and family service before joining her team March 2025.
- Fred: I have been in my current role as Administrator of Community Services since 2019 and Director of Compliance since 2023.
- Can you share a little more about your background? What brings you to this work?
- Fred: I have had the opportunities to work in serval positions at Maryville from entry level, mid-management, and now as part of the executive leadership team. I believe that work experience and my life experience continue to drive me and help me with my decision-making when advocating for children, families, and our employees.
- Patrick: Growing up in Peoria, like many, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. So, I originally went off to Illinois State University as a physics major but soon figured out that I had no passion for that course of study. I did have the opportunity to take a few introductory psychology classes and found my passion. I quickly realized that I was growing in my understanding of my own challenges, but also the people in my life that I cared about. My initial motivation was fascination with the human mind, but when I began working in the field I then realized how good it made me feel to help others grow and thrive. Although I recognized that I was making a positive impact on one life at a time, I was also impatient and wanted to broaden my impact, and while I found great satisfaction in my direct service work, I learned that I was better suited for influencing programs and policies on a larger scale. Although I have worked with virtually every population during the course of my career, my greatest passion is for working with kids and families who are experiencing significant life challenges. I feel that this is where I can have the greatest impact both on individuals but also on larger communities.
- Kathy: I have spent my entire 30+ years working in child welfare. From a young age, my view on community and family were shaped by my mother’s career as an educator and community activist. She taught me that every family deserves equal access to the resources and support needed to reach their highest potential.
- Summer: I have dedicated much of my adult life to advocating for children and families in underserved communities. My work has included roles with the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and hosting children through Safe Families, and my highest calling– being an adoptive parent. These experiences exposed me to the systemic gaps that too often fail those most in need. In response, I pursued a dual master’s degree—earning an MS in Child Development from Erikson Institute and an MJ in Child Law and Policy from Loyola University Chicago. Through this journey, equity and access became my guiding principles. I’ve since committed my career to shaping policies that close opportunity gaps and ensure all children, regardless of their background, have access to strong and supportive systems.
- Fred: I have had the opportunities to work in serval positions at Maryville from entry level, mid-management, and now as part of the executive leadership team. I believe that work experience and my life experience continue to drive me and help me with my decision-making when advocating for children, families, and our employees.