About Us
Providing support to youth and families since 1976.
Our Background
Haven began as a youth outreach program and has continued to expand and evolve over the years. Programs include crisis response and preventative activities, as well as the counseling program, which has become one of our most popular ways of serving the community. Haven provides individual, group, and family counseling, 24-hour crisis intervention, daily outreach to area schools, psycho-educational workshops, youth leadership roles, and service-learning opportunities to meet the physical and emotional needs of youth and their families.
Clinicians and Employees
Our counselors, case managers, and administrators are here to help you along the way. No matter what concerns or challenges you’re facing, our skilled and experienced staff is here to assist you.
Locations
Haven is located at 825 Green Bay Road, Suite 200 in Wilmette, IL and Haven’s Illinois Youth Investment Program is located at 900 North Shore Drive, Suite 185, in Lake Bluff, IL.
Community Partners
We are honored to work with so many amazing community groups, schools, and individuals. Click the link below to learn more about our collaborations and how to become a Haven partner.
Meet the Haven Team
Administrative Team
Charley Smith, LCSW
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Charley supports the mission of the agency by overseeing and directing planning, management and organizational direction for Haven’s operations and programs.
Contact Charley
Jimena Escurra, LCPC
Clinical Director
As Clinical Director, Jimena leads a dedicated team that addresses the mental health needs of the community, offering trauma-informed counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Her leadership ensures compassionate, high-quality care for individuals facing diverse mental health challenges.
Contact Jimena
Clinical Team
Jordan Colonna
As Haven’s Crisis Coordinator, Jordan is committed to working with youth and families facing life challenges and needing extra support. Jordan strives to create a collaborative, empowering process where youth can learn to manage conflict, embrace their strengths, and achieve their goals.
Chetana Rao, MS
Counselor
Chetana is passionate about working with children and adolescents to help them cope with mental health challenges and improve their quality of life. She uses a client-centered approach and blends mindfulness strategies, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and play-based activities to help clients achieve their goals.
Contact Chetana
Jill Zakon Leonard, LCSW
Intake Coordinator/Counselor
As Haven’s therapist and Intake Coordinator, Jill is committed to being a supportive resource for clients. She promotes client collaboration and blends mindfulness, self-care skills, and a strength-focused approach into her practice, Empowering , supporting and educating youth, adolescents, and adults on managing mental health challenges.
Contact Jill
Illinois Youth Investment Program and Drop-In Manager
Xavier Martillo
IYIP Manager
As Haven’s IYIP Program Manager, Xavier works with 16- to 24-year-olds to assist them in finding first-time employment within their community in Lake County to achieve their long-term goals. Xavier also provides ongoing support and mentoring services to create a supportive environment for youth and their families while in programming.Â
Contact Xavier
Sydney Brock
As an IYIP case manager, Sydney is devoted to providing specialized support services to youth throughout Lake County and Evanston. Through respect and open communication, Sydney guides youth in accentuating their strengths to help better manage life’s challenges and achieve their future goals.
Matthew Jaley
IYIP Case Manager Evanston
As an IYIP case manager, Matthew works to meet people at their own level and provides critical support to youth in Evanston. Through a person-centered perspective, they seek the best in people and illuminate hidden strengths to help others pave their way forward.
Hannah Weber
Drop-in Support Staff
As a drop-in support staff member, Hannah plays a key role in creating a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment at the Warming House for 6th to 12th graders. She plans and facilitates engaging activities and events that foster a sense of community, creativity, and fun for all participants. Her dedication to ensuring every participant feels supported and included makes the Warming House a vibrant and positive space for youth.
Administrative Assistant
Stacy Mirro, MSW
As Haven’s Administrative Assistant, Stacy is committed to implementing systems in order to provide quality services to youth and families. Stacy organizes and assesses program data to evaluate the success of Haven’s programs.
Contact Stacy
Community Partners
Haven Youth and Family Services is proud to partner with the following state-wide and local organizations:
Corporate Donors
Elco Mutual Life
Arthur Gallagher
NorthShore University Health System
Dramatic Colors
McMaster Carr
Fidelity
Everi
AFG Guidance Center
Kenilworth Community Fund
Rosecrance
SBB Research Group Family Foundation
Text-A-Tip
Board of Directors
Haven’s Board Members come from a variety of backgrounds and use their expertise to aid the Haven executive and clinical directors. Board members meet monthly and are highly involved in the fundraising efforts at Haven.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors, contact Charley Smith at charley@havenforyouth.org.
Kimberly Boscow
President
Kimberly Boscow lives in Wilmette and has been a North Shore resident for the past 10 years. She and her husband have three children, two of whom are New Trier graduates. She has worked in both the publishing and legal fields in various positions but has always been a community volunteer as well. Her passion and concern for the health and well-being of children brought her to the Haven board. After serving as Secretary and Vice President she now serves as board President.
Jennifer Fiegen
Vice President/Secretary
Jennifer Fiegen is a long-time resident of Wilmette. She and her husband, Jonathan, have three children. She earned her Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching from Northwestern University after graduating with a BS from the University of Illinois. For the last twenty-eight years, Jennifer has been a committed educator, and she currently works in Winnetka School District. Jennifer joined the Haven Youth and Family Services Board in the Fall of 2017. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of the Haven Board of Directors. She enjoys collaborating with fellow board members and the community, bringing a school system and child’s perspective to Haven’s programs and work.
Christopher Slagg
Treasurer
Christopher Slagg and his family live in Northbrook. Chris is a banker with Wintrust Community Bank and is a community-minded individual who supports local organizations. He has enjoyed serving as treasurer for the past 10 years as Haven has evolved and grown and been a board member for 11 years. In addition to his work on the Haven Board, he has been involved with Literacy Works, The Housing Organization for Women, and Magnificent Mile Association.
Kathiann Bavaro
Board Member
Kathiann joined the Haven Youth and Family Services Board in June 2021. She has worked in the banking industry in the North Shore area for the past 15 years and is currently Branch Manager at North Shore Community Bank & Trust, a branch of Wintrust Bank. She is thrilled to be on the Haven Board, as her values align with the company’s mission to promote mental health. Kathiann is passionate about supporting mental health and wellness for families in the community.
Mathew Boscow
Board Member
Matthew joined the Haven Youth and Family Services Board in August 2023. He currently works for Invenergy, a leading renewable energy developer based in Chicago. Drawing inspiration from the positive transformations Haven has brought to his family and friends, Matthew is enthusiastic about contributing to this exceptional organization. His commitment extends beyond board participation; he is dedicated to elevating awareness around mental health, recognizing the profound impact organizations like Haven can have on communities.
Bill Cremin
Board Member
Bill Cremin grew up in Northfield and graduated from New Trier High School in 2015. After graduating from DePauw University, Bill works at Morgan Stanley. Joining Haven’s board in 2021, Bill is thrilled to be able to give back to the community he grew up in and work with such an amazing group of individuals. He also volunteers for InvestWrite, a financial education writing competition for students ranging from 4th to 12th grade.
Roselyn Gilbert Don
Board Member
Roselynn Don has served on Haven’s Board for more than a decade. She lives in Wilmette and was raised there. She and her two adult children are New Trier graduates. Roselynn is a family law/divorce attorney and mediator who has also represented children with divorcing parents. Her interest in family dynamics and the development, health, and safety of children and teens led to her interest in Haven which she believes is an invaluable resource for families.
Lori Heger
Board Member
Lori Heger joined the Warming House board of directors in 2015, serving a number of years as Board Secretary. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in English, and shortly thereafter started her career in finance. She is currently a Client Service Manager at Merrill Lynch in Chicago. Lori and her husband Erich have lived in Wilmette since 2009, and have two daughters Mary and Heidi who attend New Trier High School and Wilmette Junior High School. She is excited to now be a part of the Haven Board as it is such a vital part of the Wilmette community and the families within it.Â
Michele Hunter
Board Member
Michele Hunter grew up in Winnetka and graduated from New Trier in 1982. She graduated from the Architecture program at IIT and is a principal at Architrave, Ltd. in Chicago. The firm has recently added projects providing equitable and affordable housing in Chicago. Michele and her firm believe that everyone has the right to work and live in a safe and dignified environment. Haven’s values align and Michele has spent the last 4 years supporting their efforts.
Mary Kiscaden
Board Member
Mary grew up in Evanston. A graduate of Regina Dominican High school she later raised her children in Winnetka. She and her husband have recently returned to Winnetka from living in Virginia for 10 years. She brings a seasoned background in community and public relations in both health care and internet industries. She is also currently a hospital volunteer. Mary believes strong communities provide strong resources for families in both physical and mental health arenas.
Amy Koplow
Board Member
Amy has been a Haven Board member since 2023, after helping lead the integration of Haven with The Warming House, a long-standing Wilmette teen drop-in center. As board president of The Warming House and now a proud member of the Haven Board, Amy is thrilled to continue her deep involvement in helping to support our community’s mental health. She is an LCSW and experienced clinical therapist, working with children, teens, and adults, and lives in Wilmette with her husband and three children.
Amy Yulish
Board Member
Amy graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign with a major in Psychology and a minor in Theater. She then received her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University and currently holds a core faculty position for the Master’s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern where she teaches, supervises beginning clinicians and maintains a clinical practice. She is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful organization, supporting the work she does herself, but in her very own community.
Donate
Thank you for your support and consideration!
To make an online donation or for a printable mail-in form, please click on the button below.
​If you are mailing your donation, please make checks payable to Haven Youth and Family Services.
All mail in donations can be sent to:
825 Green Bay Road
Suite 200
Wilmette, IL 60091