CONTACT
For general inquiries, comments, concerns and questions:
info@projectfocus.org
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PROJECT FOCUS MEMBERS
Chicago
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Harish I Patel - Graduated May 2007 from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BA Political Science and a Minor in Philosophy. One of the founding PF members. Currently also working at Southwest Youth Collaborative. Considered the glue of Project FOCUS.
Aura Brickler - Graduated May 2006 with an MSW from the Jane Addams School of Social Work, UIC. Currently a School Social Worker with the Chicago Public Schools. One of the founding PF members.
Daniel Yang - Graduated May 2007 from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with a BS in Biological Sciences; beginning Medical School at UIC in Fall 2008. One of the founding PF members. Also worked as a research assistant at Mulago Hospital Tuberculosis Ward in Kampala, Uganda. Currently attending the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School.
Rhea Vitalis - Graduated May 2008 Cum Laude, with Honors from University of Illinois at Chicago with a BS in Marketing. Also a graduate of the Chicago Civic Leadership Certificate Program and the UIC Honors College.
Roy Marin - Graduated in May 2008 with a BA in Film & Video Studies, with a focus in Documentary. Currently working as a freelance videographer.
Seva Gandhi - Graduated May 2007 from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a BA in Psychology. Pursuing Masters Degree in Social Work this coming Fall at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
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Uganda
Grant Buhr - Grant Buhr - Graduated from Elk River Area High Schoo lin 1997. worked as a sound engineer in Los Angeles, California. Currently lives in Uganda as a long-term volunteer.
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Seattle
Meg Wolf - Meg Wolf - Graduated May 2007 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Masters of Arts in Art Therapy. Currently lives in Seattle and works as an art therapist.
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Boston
Madelene Griffin - Madelene Griffin Graduated May 2002 from Brown University with a BA in Visual Arts. Attended Psychology and Recreational Therapy courses at Brigham Young University in 2004-05. Graduated May 2007 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a Masters of Arts in Art Therapy. Currently lives in Boston.
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New York
Gloria Bernard - Graduated May 2006 from Trinity Christian College, earning a degree in Clinical Psychology and Studio Art. Pursuing Masters Degree at New York University in Art Therapy with a focus in Photography this coming Fall.
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For inquiries about the exhibitions:
Boston: madelene_griffin@yahoo.com
Chicago: harishibrahim@gmail.com
Seattle: megwolf80@gmail.com
New York: peppergreens@gmail.com
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Partnering Organizations:
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Uganda:
Bitone Troupe - http://www.bitonechildren.org/
In Movement - http://www.inmovement.org/
FOCUS Mulago Child Development Project -
http://www.focusuganda.org/child.htm
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United States:
Bitone Troupe - http://www.myspace.com/bitonetroupe
Contact: granttbuhr@gmail.com
Stick and Move - http://www.stickandmovebboys.com/
Contact: inlight5@gmail.com
Project FOCUS India -
http://projectfocusindia.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/what-is-a-community/
Contact: adamtk@gmail.com
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BOARD MEMBERS
David Marques - David Marques is currently the Technology & Media Coordinator of the Southwest Youth Collaborative and has been working with the organization in the areas of technology capacity, program & coalition development, and marketing & communications. With focus on education for liberation, civic engagement, organizational capacities, and bridging the digital divide, he has experience with various schools, non-profits, and social movement groups as a technologist, programs coordinator, and educator.
Christine Bozlak - Christine T. Bozlak, MPH, is a PhD Candidate at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in the Community Health Sciences Division, Maternal and Child Health Program. Ms. Bozlak's current and previous research has focused on youth participation in policy-making and program planning. For her dissertation, she is proposing to use Photovoice, a participatory action research methodology, in a community-based study with youth. Ms. Bozlak obtained her MPH in Health Policy and Management in 2003. Currently, she works full-time in a health policy position at a Chicago-based children's hospital. Ms. Bozlak became involved in Project FOCUS in early 2007 when she presented on Photovoice during the first Project FOCUS exhibit at UIC. Since that time, she has continued to serve in an advisory role for the organization's members and projects.
Lon Kaufman - Kaufman is the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and the Dean of the Honors College at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He is a Professor of Biological Sciences and served as the Head of UIC's Department of Biological Sciences from 1998 until accepting his current position as dean and vice provost. Prof. Kaufman came to UIC in 1985 as an Assistant Professor after completing postdoctoral work at the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Department of Plant Biology in Stanford, California. He was promoted to Associate Professor of Biological Sciences in 1990 and served as the Director of Graduate Studies from 1993 to 1996. He became a full Professor in 1995, before also assuming the headship of the department in 1998. Since 1998, he has also held a position as Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering.
Warswa Damulira - Mr. Warswa, born in Uganda, is the president of the Chicago/Ugandan Community. He is an elder in the Ugandan community who promotes unity and supports all the Ugandan families/programs in Chicago. He is also connected with the Ugandan diaspora community outside of Uganda.
Dr John C. Mukasa-Ssebaana, PSA - Dr. John, born in Uganda, is the trustee of the Chicago/Ugandan Community. He also works for the Department of Children and Family Services for the State of Illinois as a Sexual Abuse Services Coordinator.
Erica Crohn Minchella - Erica Crohn Minchella has been a practicing attorney in Chicago for over 27 years, concentrating in real estate transactions and debt management. She also assists in her husband’s business, Micor Media Group, Inc., which is an appraisal and consulting firm in the broadcast industry. An active member of Rotary Club of Chicago Far North, she became involved in helping Project Focus address legal issues after watching a presentation of their program at a club meeting in 2007. As President-Elect of her Rotary Club, Mrs. Minchella has become involved with fund-raising strategies and creating synergies between various organizations with mutual visions for changing the world. She especially enjoys tapping into the energy, insights and passion of a younger generation, which includes her two college-age children, whose input into her efforts, is invaluable.
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Graphic-Design: David Chathas - davidchathas@gmail.com
Web-Design:Beau Smithback -
beau.smithback@envisionitllc.com
Previous Volunteers:
Lauren Pond
Danichi Yoshida
Sunny Givens
Betsy Tagtmeir
Colette Conlisk
Yoana Kuzmova
Eric Rejman
Robert Soltys
Adam Kuranishi
Daniel Schneider
Megan Etlinger
Michael Jarecki
Patricia Piper
Cole Miller
Madeline Guarino
Tara Toscano