Meet CYC's Interim President and CEO

On August 9th, 2024, Tina Ayala transitioned into her role as Interim President and CEO of CYC. With 29 years of experience within our organization, we are proud to have such a strong, knowledgeable, and passionate leader for our team during this interim period. We sat down to chat with Tina and are excited to share more about her journey with CYC, her deep understanding of the agency, and her continued commitment to our mission with you!  

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Could you tell us a little about yourself? 

I started at CYC about 30 years ago as a Social Work Intern from Loyola University. I am a married mother of two daughters, who are both products of CYC! They both attended the Early Learning Program as well as the Summer Fun Program.  

What drew you to social work, and why CYC?  

I was placed at CYC for my internship by my professor at Loyola. My passion has always been youth. I was always the babysitter and the one who volunteered. In high school, I would coach cheerleading programs at the park district. I always knew my passion was for community and being somehow involved in creating positive change.  

You have held several positions at CYC over the years, can you share more about your CYC story? 

Tina and fellow staff members at our August All-Staff In-Service, posing with their Del Arsenault Staff Recognition nominations.

I was placed in the Bridgeport community for my initial internship, which continued into a long-term tenure at Fellowship House. Once I graduated, I applied for a Youth Worker position and worked with the 9 to 12–year–olds and in Chicago Public Schools on behalf of CYC. I then transitioned to being the Lead Youth Worker of the Teen Program. After the Teens, I moved on to be a Program Manager, then I was a Center Director for, I believe, 8 or 9 years. Now, for the past 6 years, I have been on the Executive Leadership Team. It has been such an honor to evolve, grow, and find a home at CYC. 

What have been some of your favorite memories at CYC? 

I am really committed to community service. One of the things I am most proud of is when the teens were involved in Community Service Club. [I would help them] learn about a different social challenge each month, then there would be a monthly outing in the community. For example, one month we talked about homelessness, and during that month we made sandwiches and cocoa and brought that into the community. When we talked about food insecurities, we went to St. Pius Church where we would volunteer in the food pantries. This Service Club ultimately turned into an international trip where we were able to fundraise and partner with an organization in Jalisco, Mexico. Four youth and I brought toys, toiletries, and clothing over for families in the area. Since this was around the winter holiday season, we were able to participate in an event with the Agency for Integral Family Development where we dressed as Santa and elves to give out the toys and clothes as gifts.  

What are you looking forward to most during your time as Interim President and CEO? 

Tina presenting at the university of augsburg in germany

I am excited and curious to see where this role takes me. I plan to keep intentionally investing in our culture of working together and growing the team's confidence and expertise. I also look forward to helping expand our capacity to continue delivering quality programming in CYC communities. I aim to ensure those we serve reflect the diverse communities in Chicago. I remain committed to bringing our programs to the larger community of Chicago, so that those who do not know who we are can learn how great we are as an agency!

What existing strategic focus areas are you looking to continue investing in at CYC? 

I am looking to really build up our staff’s capacity. The work our team does each day can be tough, and funding is a challenge our programs continue to face. So, I plan to continue digging in further on funding opportunities, program visibility, and partnerships. This will help support our organizational priorities that include hiring more staff. Growing our talented team of professionals is essential to continuing to improve the quality of our programs.  

Internally, we have been talking about why we are “Proud to be CYC”. What makes you most proud to be part of this organization? 

I think what I am most proud of about being part of CYC is the smiles that you see every day. Whether that smile is from a staff member, a child, or a parent. I also feel pride knowing that we offer so many valuable resources to our community. It just feels amazing to have the capability to do that. I want to continue to offer equitable access to the resources, experiences, mentors, and safe spaces that children, families, and communities need to be their best selves. 

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The CYC Team is stepping into our Fall Programming season with confidence and enthusiasm knowing that we have such a brilliant leader overseeing our organization! As always, we look forward to sharing our ongoing impact and the holistic support CYC will continue to provide during Tina’s time as Interim President and CEO.  

Thank you to each of our supporters for being part of the CYC family and helping us bring smiles, experiences, and resources to communities across Chicago! If you want to help continue to bring high quality programming to more children and families, you can follow the link below to donate. 

Out of the Park Partnership

IT Bridge visited CYC-Sidney Epstein to introduce CYC children to some super cool technology! They spent part of their week learning about how tech is utilized in professional sports and what math is used to turn information from that technology into trackable data.  

These sessions focused on Major League Baseball and reviewed machines like bat sensors, as well as wearable transmitters used to record pitching speed. “We use this bat to see how fast we can swing. It [has] a sensor at the bottom to track the speeds,” said Amarè. CYC children were able to test these tools themselves and see in real-time how fast they could hit a baseball.  

The volunteers from IT Bridge discussed how their goal was to mix sports with learning, so kids could find a relatable and more exciting way to think about math. “We learned about three concepts: probability, percentages, and averages,” explained Nalia. And you could tell that their plan was a home run, because CYC children couldn’t get enough of these lessons! 

What really hit it out of the park was that the group closed their session with a private tour of Wrigley Field! Thank you so much to IT Bridge for sponsoring such a wonderful experience and supporting CYC children’s eagerness to learn! Want to see some of the lessons and tour? Click the link below to check out the video created by IT Bridge to see our young sports analysts' experience! 

Early Learning Celebrations

Each year the Early Learning teachers and staff host celebrations and graduations for our classes. It is a day for children, families, and staff to gather and recognize all the past year’s accomplishments! Many children move up to kindergarten, while others are moving up to the next level of CYC’s Early Learning Program. We captured some great photos from our Early Learning Program’s celebrations that you can flip through! 

At Centro Nuestro, the children were excited to show their families the Zumba routine they had been practicing, and their reading skills! Ms. Norma shared that over this past program year, she has watched the children become more independent and gain so many skills. She said her favorite part about graduation day is that families gather at the Centers and share in this success. 

The Early Learning Staff talk about how special days like this are another reminder of why they chose this career. Ms. Staggers of CYC-Sidney Epstein reminisces about her time in the classroom at CYC, and the impact the children have had on her. “My favorite memory is the first time I went into the classroom when I started working here 11 years ago. The moment I walked in, the kids had never seen me, but they came up and hugged me. It always sticks with me. Children can sense when adults are present and care for them. I still love all the hugs I get every day, and when they stick to me like glue.” 

As Summer Programming ends, and children get ready for their next step in learning, staff remind families that they always have a resource and support system at CYC. We asked our staff what they hope children hold onto as they continue growing; “I hope the children remember that learning can always be fun,” says Ms. Staggers. Ms. Norma says, “I hope the children hold on to self-respect and kindness.” It is so wonderful to see the confidence and excitement each child has built up for their next academic adventure. Congratulations again to CYC’s Early Learning class of 2024, we cannot wait to see you in our Out-of-School Time Programs and all that you will accomplish next! 

Are you looking to teach or work in Early Learning Programming? CYC could be the place for you! Check out our Careers Page to see what opportunities are available. 

CYC Goes Global

CYC is proud of the tremendous impact that our staff and programs have in Chicago. We love to celebrate and acknowledge our talented team each day for all that they do - many others are taking notice too!

Our wonderfully dedicated leaders have garnered the attention of social work specialists across the globe! Recently, Tina Ayala (Sr. Director of Program and Operations, School Age and Teens) and Piotr Wojnicz (Director of ESI and Continuous Quality Improvement) were invited to share their expertise at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, in Germany. 

Photo Copyright: Verena Kiss, Technische Hochschule Augsburg

Tina and Piotr were honored to be guest lecturers to present at the symposium titled “Social Work with Vulnerable Children and Families: Approaches and Experiences from Germany & the United States”. The seminar focused on contemporary pedagogical and methodological approaches utilized by social work professionals in supporting vulnerable children and families through a trauma-informed care lens. Experts shared practical examples, programs, and experiences from both Germany and the United States, showing how each nation equips the next generation with the tools they need to succeed.  

During their time in Augsburg, Tina and Piotr also visited the Juze am Schlössle Youth Center and its wonderful team. Here, they had the opportunity to share their insights on some of the most successful and beloved programs offered at CYC. In exchange, they learned about and experienced activities provided by the youth centers in Augsburg. Throughout their time in Germany, it became clear that the needs of children around the world are remarkably similar. All children are eager for the opportunity to explore, have the space to be creative, and to feel part of their community! Organizations like CYC help to support holistic development by providing experiences that help build the skills that children need for every stage of life.

These experiences broadened the exposure of CYC Staff to innovative programs in Germany, while also introducing CYC to a global audience. This learning exchange paves the way for future collaborations with other European universities! We would like to thank Dr. Barbara Rink and Dr. Nicole Klinkhammer of Augsburg, for supporting CYC to establish the foundation of such a wonderful partnership, and planning this incredible symposium. The future of CYC is bright with possibilities, and we are excited to use what we have learned to continue expanding the ways that we support Chicago communities!

Honoring Our History, Celebrating Our Future

At CYC, we love celebrating our vibrant cultures and outstanding achievements! Our recent events offered children opportunities to showcase their artistic talents, take pride in their roots, and express the boundless potential that lives within them. Caring at CYC means supporting each child’s development in a holistic way, cherishing their identities and nurturing their self-confidence.  

Our Black History Month Celebration at the Rebecca K. Crown Center was one to remember! The night was filled with fun, exciting, and educational performances from each age group. From original rap songs to choreographed dances, we honored the trailblazers who paved the way for progress.

To wrap the night, Crown staff recognized their Stars of the Month! Each month, the lead staff member for each age group acknowledges one child who has an appetite for knowledge, shows kindness to others, and is always engaged in programming. We loved getting an extra chance to appreciate their hard work and cheer on their successes. Check out our stars shining bright!

At our Perspectives Family Game Night, we brought together families for a chance to relax, laugh, and celebrate Black Pop-Culture. We spent the event playing fun games like Urban Trivia, which brought tons of laughter and great, nostalgic stories! CYC is grateful for events where we can get to know each other better and connect. 

Our Holden and Deneen Step teams shook the stage with some incredible performances! Children learned step routines from local Divine 9 fraternity and sorority members, and discovered the impact each Black Greek-letter Organization has had on higher-education and communities at large. These showcases exhibited the art and teamwork of stepping, while highlighting that Black History and Culture is multi-faceted and powerful!

By celebrating Black joy, creativity, and culture throughout the year, we encourage feelings of pride, strength, and empowerment. Black History is not just a chapter in a textbook; it's a living, breathing narrative that shapes the present and future. Celebrations like these create opportunities for children to explore and embrace their identities, gain confidence, and amplify their voices through creative expression. These events are a reminder to CYC children that they are a special part of history and have the power to build any future they dream of!  

Want to stay up to date with CYC programming and how we continue to celebrate our cultures throughout the year? Follow us on our social media pages! 

The Power of Words

CYC’s staff members are incredibly talented and have a wide range of impact on the people around them. Clarence Hogan, Center Director at CYC-Epstein, is a wonderful example. Through CYC programming, open mic events, presenting at conferences, and comedy shows, he uses his natural storytelling abilities to uplift those around him. He encourages others to understand all the ways stories influence and change lives. 

 On top of his years as a public speaker, he has done consulting for after school programming and often leads workshops! Because of his expertise, he was asked to represent CYC as a presenter at the Best of Out-of-School-Time (BOOST) Conference for the third time this February. This year, his presentation titled “Storytelling for a Cause” discusses how to use everyday occurrences to connect people with an organization’s mission. Clarence explains, “The objective of this workshop is to teach participants how to catch, craft, and communicate”. In a major part of his talk, he shares a quote from Plato that pushes listeners to recognize the scope and importance of this skill, “Those who tell stories rule society.” He notes that stories can be used in endless ways- they can preserve tradition, rewrite history, educate, or entertain. Whether they are telling their own story or speaking about an organization’s mission, Mr. Clarence’s workshops help others to intentionally craft stories to keep in control of their own narratives.  

BOOST Conference 2022

Clarence Hogan and Steven Willis represent CYC in a live podcast event “Kwestions & KoolAide with Kids”

 At CYC, he encourages children to share their experiences in many ways. Each day after school, they come to the Center and have Circle Time, which offers a safe space to talk about their day. Clarence actively listens to children while they express their emotions- building social emotional skills, trust, and community within their peer groups. During club activities like podcasting, entrepreneurship, or journaling, he helps kids flex their creative writing muscles while having a blast! Pathways to new passions, hobbies, and potential careers can open as they discover the power of words. Fostering a love of storytelling in children today helps support a lifetime of healthy communication skills and building connections! 

After assisting with a business plan and helping them practice public speaking, Clarence hosts 4 CYC entrepreneurs at his community storytelling event.

Clarence offers his skills to the broader Chicagoland community too. His business Sonny Speaks offers public events like Chew the Fat, The Power of Storytelling, West Side Stories, and Englewood Speaks that bring people together through stories. These open mics give neighbors of all writing and public speaking abilities a platform to share their personal experiences. Topics often encompass themes that can be tough to talk about like family dynamics and toxic masculinity. On the flip side, Clarence ensures that there’s a time to share positive stories about subjects like Black love, food, and much more. By creating spaces for others to be heard, connect, and find support, Clarence has an incredible impact on the city, his neighbors and CYC children and families. 

Storytelling is an art, not a science. The main idea that Clarence hopes people take away from his teachings is to listen intentionally. Whether he’s presenting at BOOST, running CYC programming, or hosting events, he encourages everyone to find joy in listening to and celebrating others’ stories. You never know who needs to be heard or what you might need to hear. We are incredibly grateful and lucky to have someone as supportive, passionate, and considerate as Clarence on our team. Whether a neighbor, a peer, or a CYC child, Clarence helps people find their voice and uplift their story.  

To read more about CYC’s incredible staff, you can sign up for our newsletter below. To attend a Sonny Speaks community event, click here to visit sonnyspeaks.com!