AIM STAFF
LEIGH ANN
Executive Director
I have an educational background in social services and 27 years of experience in the field of Independent Living. Having multiple disabilities myself, I know first-hand the importance of consumer control and living independently in the community. I began my career in 1993 when I took on the position of Independent Living Coordinator at Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living (DRC) in Joliet, IL. After working for 7 years as an IL Coordinator, I took the position of Program Manager, which I held until July of 2004. At this time, I moved into the position of Executive Director of AIM-CIL (f.k.a. DuPage Center for Independent Living). Throughout the last 14 years, we’ve seen many changes, including shifts in funding, moving locations, a name change, expansion of service area to include DuPage, Kane and Kendall Counties, as well as expansion of services. Although most of my time is spent on administrative tasks such as grants, reporting etc., my passion lies on the programmatic side of things and direct service. I will answer phones, spend time with consumers and provide direct service when and as needed. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, my husband and I enjoy camping, outdoor activities with our kids, spending time with our pets, and traveling.
Phone: (630) 376-4275
Email: [email protected]
Emily
Program Director
Emily graduated from Illinois State University in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Human and Educational Services. She works as an IEP and systems advocate for students and individuals under the age of 25. She also runs workshops to teach self-advocacy and independent living skills to the youth at the center and within schools.
Phone: (630) 376-4270
Email: [email protected]
STEPHANIE
Independent Living Advocate
As an Independent Living Advocate, I assist individuals with disabilities in meeting their own, self-determined independent living goals such as communication, educational, vocational, advocacy and personal resource management to name a few. This is done through our core services which include independent living skills training to assist with independence, advocacy, and information and referral. I am also a certified Senior Healthcare Insurance Program (SHIP) Provider. I work to assist and educate consumers regarding Medicare coverage. I also answer questions about Medicaid and Social Security.
Phone: (630) 376-4274
Email: [email protected]
Danielle
Independent Living Advocate
My name is Danielle Perez and I am an Independent Living Advocate here at AIM-CIL. My job is to work with consumers to increase their independence and help them achieve their goals through peer counseling and advocacy. I also aim to support and assist those with disabilities through information and referrals, and my previous jobs include roles in caregiving, behavioral health, early childhood, and special education.
Phone: (630) 376-4283
Email: [email protected]
Luke
Personal Assistant Advocate
Luke graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in 2020 with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Business Administration. As a Personal Assistant Advocate, Luke assists consumers that are looking to receive non-medical home services. Training personal assistants, coordinating/documenting both consumer and personal assistant needs/availability are major components of Luke's role. The PA program allows our consumers to have control over their services by conducting the hiring process and managing the services they are given by Personal Assistants.
Phone: (630) 376-4269
Email: [email protected]
Crystal
Youth Services Advocate
Crystal Griffin has an extensive background in education through the provision of Special Education and Intensive Behavioral Services for youth with disabilities for more than 20 years. Crystal strongly believes in self advocacy and self directed learning. As a Youth Advocate for AIM-CIL, she provides work-based educational programming, post secondary options, and pre-employment information for youth in schools. She also provides information and referrals, and individualized support for families and young adults with community based needs in the counties we service. She is a wife and mother of three children and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Phone: (630) 376-4273
Email: [email protected]
Kate
Communication Access Advocate
Kate Citti is the Communication Access Advocate and Deaf Services Coordinator at AIM-CIL. She provides the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities assistance with communication and independent living skills. With resources and services available to meet their independent living needs, they are empowered to make choices in their lives. As part of our Fast Track Program, Kate works with deaf and hard of hearing high school students on self-advocacy and independent living skills.
Email: [email protected]
(630) 984-4251
Lauren
Youth Services Advocate
Lauren is one of the Youth Service Advocates at AIM-CIL. She graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science and a minor in Disability and Human Development. She has a background in working with youth with Autism and those with mental health/psychiatric disabilities. Lauren provides advocacy, information and referral, and independent living skills training, and pre-employment skills curriculum to youth and their families in AIM-CIL’s service area.
Phone: (630) 376-4279
Email: [email protected]
Sarah
Youth Services Advocate
Sarah has a Masters Degree in Social Work that she obtained from Aurora University in 2014 and has recently become licensed in this field. She has worked with individuals with disabilities in a school setting for most of her adult life and finds this passion to be very rewarding. Her title of Youth Advocate allows her to continue her work in a school setting while also encouraging and assisting young individuals to gain independence through vocational learning and continued education beyond a primary school setting.
Phone: (630) 376-4272
Email: [email protected]
Michael
Administrative Assistant
Michael graduated from Drake University in May of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in English and History. As an administrative assistant, Michael helps with day-to-day tasks that keep the office running smoothly. Alongside this, he is in charge of fundraising, creating newsletters, and acts as the point person for the center’s ITAC amplified phone program.
Phone: (630) 376-4281
Email: [email protected]
