Hours of operation
- Monday–Friday 8:00 - 4:00
Bruce A. Otto, Executive Director
Bruce joined H.O.M.E. in 2009 and came with over 25 years of non-profit management and leadership experience with LaSalle Street Church in Chicago and as the founder of the LaSalle Foundation. While at the Foundation he led in the development of Maple Pointe, a 342 unit affordable seniors apartment complex and Cornerstone Center, a 50,000 square foot community services center.
After weathering a difficult first year both financially and programmatically, Bruce is excited about the recently completed strategic planning process and other encouraging developments in the organization.
Bruce and his wife Kerry live in Old Town and enjoy traveling, entertaining and theater.
BruceO@HomeSeniors.org, 773.295.2711
Utica J. Gray, Director of Development
Utica joined H.O.M.E. in August 2008. Utica brings nine years of nonprofit development experience to the agency. She is a graduate of Northwestern University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a Master of Science in Human Services Administration, and a Doctorate in Business Administration. In her spare time, Utica enjoys baking, dancing, and spending time with family.
UticaG@HomeSeniors.org, 773.295.2708
Janet Takehara, Program Director
Janet joined H.O.M.E. as Program Director in 2006. After a fifteen year career in human resources management, Janet earned her M.Ed. in Community Counseling from Loyola University in 1998 and embarked on her nonprofit career. She has worked with families, youth, people with HIV/AIDS, seniors and volunteers in roles ranging from direct service to agency leadership. Janet’s particular professional interests include staff and organizational development and program evaluation. Janet lives with her husband Eric and son Sean in the Rogers Park neighborhood.
JanetT@HomeSeniors.org,773.295.2710
Kevin Horan-Bussey, Business Manager
Kevin became H.O.M.E.’s Business Manager in March 2006. He manages the financial accounting, human resources and information technology. Kevin has been working in the field of nonprofit finance and administration for over ten years.
Kevin has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in ministry from Loyola University, and a certificate in the financial management of nonprofits from DePaul University.
When asked about his career in nonprofits, Kevin says, “I really enjoy working for a place like H.O.M.E. that has such a worthwhile mission. We do a lot of direct service to seniors with the size of our budget. I also enjoy the variety in my position—I get to wear many hats, so it never gets boring.”
Kevin and his wife Pamela, a social worker at The Ounce of Prevention Fund, live with their two sons on the far north side of the city.
KevinH@HomeSeniors.org, 773.295.1564
Mike Laz, Operations and Volunteer Coordinator
Mike Laz joined H.O.M.E in October of 2004 as the Warehouse Manager, which oversaw the moving and furniture donation program, and took care of the fleet of vehicles. Over the years he slowly took on more responsibilities and at one point managed three of the service programs-moving/furniture, shopping bus and home repairs.
Mike has bachelors of education from Northeastern Ill. University, which he obtained in December of 2002. Mike taught for one year in CPS.
Mike reports that, “before working with H.O.M.E I had very little real knowledge of the plight of the low-income senior population. Having been here over five years I have seen and experienced things that have made me realize how important an agency like ours is to the population we serve. In many cases the seniors we have served with our programs had very little if any options and would have done without. These past years have been some of the most trying yet rewarding years of my working life and I hope to continue to be part of this great organization for many years.”
MikeL@HomeSeniors.org, 773.295.2709
Caren Arden-Tabani, Housing Coordinator
Caren was named Pat Crowley House Coordinator in 1991. In 2000, she was appointed Interim Executive Director of H.O.M.E. and then became director of P.C.H., later assuming the position of Housing Coordinator for all three residential properties. She holds both a B.S. in social sciences and a M.S. in Education from Nazareth College of Rochester. With a certificate in Gerontology, she has completed dozens of workshops on all aspects of senior living. Her involvement includes working with political advocacy groups to help set policy for the elderly.
Through the years, Caren has mentored numerous students who have become social workers, lawyers, doctors, nurses and teachers. “As the mother of two who were raised at H.O.M.E., I believe in the value of intergenerational living; I’ve lived it,” she says. “Our residents are not just sitting in a rocking chair. Now in my 20th year with H.O.M.E., I can say no day is ever the same and the challenges just keep coming.”
CarenA@HomeSeniors.org, 773.465.3685
Upkeep & Repair Services
Andre Barnes
Johnny Jefferson
Jesse Haley
Transportation Services
Ernest Dixon
The Pat Crowley House
Caren Arden-Tabani
Nadine West
The Nathalie Salmon House
Judi Degroff-Gootjes
Lisa Leland
Mirjana Bradica
Oscar Sanchez
Andy Nieves
Blackhawk Manor
Natalie Archie
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