OUR MISSION
About Us
To develop a supportive, fun, and welcoming environment where teens’ feelings are validated and acknowledged. We engage alongside teens to help them develop the resilience and self-awareness needed to face the challenges of adolescence and beyond.
OUR VISION
For every teen to find a space where they are valued as capable, empowered, and thoughtful community members and can find a peer support system outside of school.
OUR STAFF
The Warming House Youth Center is supervised by a full-time Executive Director who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Volunteer, Intern, and Part-time Paid Youth Workers make up the skilled staff that work with Warming House teens. Staff members are either in undergraduate or graduate school for Social Work or Psychology, or have graduate degrees and work full-time in the field. Staff members are prepared to guide and support teens, provide referrals when needed, and intervene in crises.
Taleen Polidan
she/her(s)
At the Warming House since 2021
Credentials: Bachelor’s in Communication from Lake Forest College. Current MSW student at Northeastern Illinois University.
Fun Facts about Taleen: I love listening to podcasts, being outside, and riding my spin bike!
Why the Warming House?: I love that the Warming House provides youth a safe and supportive environment to be themselves. As someone interested in becoming a school social worker, I am very excited to have the opportunity to have hands-on experience working with teenagers!
Meg Feldman
she/her(s)
At the Warming House since 2022
Credentials: Undergraduate Social Work student at University of Kansas
Fun Facts about Meg: My parents changed my name from Ally to Megan when I was 2 months old.
Why the Warming House?: The Warming House looked like a great program and I wanted more experience working with teens.
Alyssa Pierce
she/her(s)
At the Warming House since 2019
Credentials: Junior studying psychology at Northwestern University.
Fun Facts about Alyssa: I love to play softball. I was on the team in high school and play over the summer on teams with my dad and brother. I also really enjoy nature and any chance I get to go hiking or be outside in general.
Why the Warming House?: I have always enjoyed working with teens and the opportunity to build connections with both them and the other staff members enticed me from the start. The mission of the Warming House is also something that is really important and I am excited and grateful to be a part of it.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President:
Amy Koplow, LCSW
Treasurer:
Robert Sheppard
Secretary:
Lori Heger
Directors:
Alice Air
Joe Feldman
Rucha Patel
Barbara Perce
Shiela Steiner