Parent Engagement Institute staff
Contact Information
Iyabo Anifowoshe
Organizer, Parent Engagement Institute
Curriculum Specialist
Palenque LSNA
ianifowoshe@palenquelsna.org
Leticia Barrera
Organizer, Parent Engagement Institute
Director of Parent Mentor Program Palenque LSNA
lbarrera@palenquelsna.org
Kathy Davis
Organizer, Parent Engagement Institute
Palenque LSNA
kdavis@palenquelsna.org
Flor Dimas
Ladders of Opportunity Project Manager
Palenque LSNA
fdimas@palenquelsna.org
Marlen Perez
Ladders of Opportunity Project Manager, Parent Engagement Institute
Palenque LSNA
mperez@palenquelsna.org
Tara Henderson
Data Liaison, Parent Engagement Institute
Organizer, Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
thenderson@swopchicago.org
Elideth Hernandez
Organizer, Parent Engagement Institute
Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
ehernandez@swopchicago.org
Bridget Murphy
Director, Parent Engagement Institute
Organizer, Palenque LSNA
bmurphy@palenquelsna.org
Ana Laura Narro
PEI Lead Organizer, Parent Engagement Institute
Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
anarro@swopchicago.org
Ruby Rodriguez
Financial Manager, Parent Engagement Institute
Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
rrodriguez@swopchicago.org
Mayra Sarabia
PEI Organizer, Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
msarabia@swopchicago.org
Adriana Velazquez
Organizer, Parent Engagement Institute
Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP)
avelazquez@swopchicago.org
Bridgett White
Organizer, Parent Engagement Institute
PEI Education Equity Policy Specialist
Palenque LSNA
bwhite@palenquelsna.org
Kelly Ransom
Data + Research Evaluation Manager, Parent Engagement Institute
Palenque LSNA
kransom@palenquelsna.org
Tami Love
Tami Love joined LSNA as a parent of three children at Funston Elementary School. In 1995, she participated in the first-ever group of Parent Mentors. Through her love and leadership, the Parent Mentor Program grew to 10 schools in Logan Square, then 150 schools across Illinois, and even nationally. Thousands of women have felt Tami’s barrier-breaking passion and care through graduating from the Parent Mentor Program.
Tami went on to help create the Funston Community Learning Center. She and Ada Ayala led a team of Funston moms to interview 750 people in and around the school to learn what would best serve families in the community if the school was open in the evening.
This led to the first School Community Learning Center in Illinois at Funston. Their work was used as wisdom and an example for the national 21st Century community schools initiative.
Tami was soon hired by Community Organizing and Family Issues where she continued to build the field of parent organizing in schools.
On her return to LSNA, Tami organized with Lathrop Homes residents in a decade plus long campaign to preserve, protect, and expand high quality public housing on the Northside and throughout the city. Tami was deeply involved in the Chicago Housing Initiative, the Balanced Development ordinance, and just about any fierce battle for the rights of Chicagoans to stay in their city.
She then went back to her Parent Mentor roots and helped shape the Parent Engagement Institute at LSNA. She fought for state funding to expand the Parent Mentor Program statewide, and then mentored and coached Parent Mentor Organizers across the state to make sure the values and heart of the work was replicated with fidelity.
Tami was the most incredible trainer. Her humor and sincerity could keep a room laughing and lively for hours. No one could read a room like Tami could.
Tami took time to meet people, to listen, try to learn their language, to celebrate small beautiful powerful personal changes as well as the big picture systemic changes.
Tami was a total self proclaimed nerd. She loved science, history, nature, technology and most of all people. She was curious about everything and everyone.
Rest In Peace and Power Tami Love.
Graphic by Danbee Kim
Chicago Tribune, February 26, 2021: ‘She was the voice that we needed’: Logan Square community activist Tami Love dies
Block Club Chicago, February 25, 2021: Tami Love, Longtime Logan Square Organizer, Was A Fierce Advocate For Families: ‘They Knew They Could Depend On Her’