Anayeli Aguilar graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 2019 with a bachelor’s in Justice Studies and a minor in Criminology and Child Advocacy. She gained professional expertise while working and volunteering in nonprofit organizations. In her previous role, she served as a Case Manager working directly with the homeless population connecting them with community resources. Anayeli is passionate about helping those in need and is excited to bring that energy and passion to supporting those in her community of Evanston. Anayeli enjoys traveling and getting to know new places around the world.

Sarah Buckley graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 2019 with a Bachelors of Social Work. She has been working in non-profits for about 4 years, and has gained significant experience in working with individuals and families experiencing housing instability. Sarah has a passion for helping and loves to uplift others to see their strength in the challenging moments of their lives. She is excited to start her journey at OC and be a part of a team that shares the same passion for our community. She loves anything and everything outdoors. Her ideal day is filled with sunshine, live music, and good friends.

Cheryl Lawrence, JD, has executive-level experience in nonprofit and business sectors. She served as the Executive Director at Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing, one of Illinois' preeminent housing and legal-aid organizations. She is excited to bring her many years of leadership experience to support fair and equitable housing opportunities on the North Shore. She lives in Evanston with her wife and daughter.

Sarah B. Petersen, LCSW, is a community connector who uses linkages to create meaningful change for equity and justice. Trained as a clinical social worker, Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit, education, mental health, and interfaith sectors. Through volunteer work advancing racial equity in Evanston’s public education and civic arenas, Sarah recognizes the central role fair and affordable housing plays in creating inclusive, just, and vibrant communities. Sarah lives in Evanston with her family and loves spending time in nature, reading, and being creative.

Our Director of Fair Housing shifted towards the policy and administrative side of social work practice after more than a decade of therapeutic work with youth and families in the mental health sector. Inspired by The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein, he decided his passion was in the realm of housing justice, organizing and advocating for the human rights of all people to access safe and affordable housing, free from discrimination. He graduated with a Master's  at the University of Chicago's Crown School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice in June 2021. He joined our team in December of that same year.

Our Fair Housing Test Coordinator was born and raised in Chicago. She grew up in Public Housing which birthed her passion for criminal justice reform and fair housing/housing reform. She earned her BA in Political Science and Justice Studies at Northeastern Illinois University and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Her Commitment to social justice led to internships with Legal Council for Health Justice, CGLA, and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, followed by full-time employment with Legal Aid Chicago and Westside Justice Center. She enjoys watching Beyonce concerts, reading, and watching sports during her spare time.

Our Fair Housing Associate grew up in Chicago and Evanston before attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She studied Molecular and Cellular Biology pre-medicine, but after graduating in 2020, she began to transition to the world of public health and policy. Since then, she has worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a nonprofit clinic in Chicago and completed a fellowship with Cook County Government through the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. As the Fair Housing Associate with Open Communities, she continues her pursuit of knowledge in public health from a holistic standpoint while working to expand organizational capacity through outreach, education, and advocacy.

Rae Lindow graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in International Humanitarian Assistance. After growing up in Germany, she is passionate about expanding access to green and walkable spaces for all communities.  As a VISTA member, Rae is using her experience to revamp the intake system at OC. She is excited to learn more about the nuances of housing issues and the best ways to help those in her community. In her spare time, she likes to walk around her neighborhood, read books, and make jewelry. 

Sarah Price, JD, considers herself a lifelong learner. She has spent the bulk of her legal career in the non-profit sector: advocating for the rights of individuals who are homeless to meaningfully access their education, representing tenants in eviction cases, and advising individuals with disabilities about their civil rights. Her combined background in education and law fuels her passion for helping people learn about their individual rights and available community resources. She lives in Evanston with her spouse and two children and is thrilled to be working with a team devoted to ensuring fair and inclusive housing in her hometown. 

Dalal Boudiaf's experience in advocacy work has cemented her passion for social justice. She strives to support and empower underserved populations. With her educational background in Urban Development and her strong cultural competency, she helps ensure that the efforts of OC reach community partners and the families in the North Suburbs of Chicago. In her free time, she likes to connect with her friends (the power of a good laugh) and bake (her three children are her best fans). She has lived in four different countries and speaks three languages, and would love to add Spanish to her language skills.

Sarah Delgado has a passion for social justice and almost 10 years of housing equity experience. She oversees intake and housing counseling staff, provides direct client support through counseling and community education, and ensures that her team has appropriate training and resources. Previously, Sarah worked in policy and advocacy for Fair Housing rights at the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA). She was also a Housing Counselor, Condominium Program Coordinator, and Interim Executive Director at Lakeside Community Development Corporation.

Mayra Moreno is bilingual/bicultural and uses her lived experiences and knowledge of overcoming hardship to help others. Prior to Open Communities, Mayra worked as a District 65 Parent Advocate connecting with families most in need through parenting education and support of the parent-child relationship. As a Community Navigator, Mayra provides outreach to the community in Spanish and English to help educate residents about their rights. Mayra lives in Evanston with her family, volunteers for Latinos en Evanston Northshore (LENS), as well as enjoys connecting with friends, nature walks, reading, and watching movies.

Eve Subrin Williams, JD, joins Open Communities with a desire to bring her knowledge of employment discrimination to housing. Eve uses her community outreach and Board experience to expand awareness about housing discrimination throughout the north shore and to build partnerships with new allies. Her 2022 Northwestern University certification in Leading Equity and Inclusion in Organizations offers a fresh lens on how the organization’s Strategic Planning and Equity Audit can be embedded moving forward.