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Independence Center

(847) 360-1020

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  • More
    • HOME
    • ABOUT US
    • PROGRAMS
      • Adult Outpatient Services
      • Health & Wellness
      • Psychosocial Rehab -PSR
      • Supportive Housing
      • Vocational Training
      • Substance Abuse
      • Telehealth Services
    • Membership
    • The Living Room
    • Donate Now
      • Donate
      • Donate Sean Guza
      • OTHER DONATION OPTIONS
    • More
      • Action Steps
      • Stress Awareness Day
      • JOIN OUR TEAM
      • Common Disorders
      • COVID-19
      • SPONSORS
      • HIPAA Privacy Policy
      • ART OF MENTAL WELLNESS
    • Contact Us

(847) 360-1020

Independence Center
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • PROGRAMS
    • Adult Outpatient Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Psychosocial Rehab -PSR
    • Supportive Housing
    • Vocational Training
    • Substance Abuse
    • Telehealth Services
  • Membership
  • The Living Room
  • Donate Now
    • Donate
    • Donate Sean Guza
    • OTHER DONATION OPTIONS
  • More
    • Action Steps
    • Stress Awareness Day
    • JOIN OUR TEAM
    • Common Disorders
    • COVID-19
    • SPONSORS
    • HIPAA Privacy Policy
    • ART OF MENTAL WELLNESS
  • Contact Us

How We're Helping

A picture of smooth stones near a beach shore

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide adults with mental disabilities who seek the opportunity to be productive members of society with the tools they need to achieve their goals of independence. 

A picture of a man going through something emotional

Mental Illness Can Affect Anyone

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental health disorders are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a severe mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.  Mental illness is thought to be caused by biological, psychological, and environmental factors.  

A picture of the notebook with a pen

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide adults with mental illness seeking the opportunity to be productive members of society with the tools they need to achieve their goals of independence. To that end, the Independence Center endeavors to provide quality rehabilitative programs, vocational training, and other support services that allow for reintegration into full social functioning, serving affected individuals and their communities.

Meet Our Executive Team

Lisa Johnson, Executive Director Board Member

Lisa Johnson

Gene Marceron

Gene Marceron

Executive Director

Board Member

Gene Marceron, Associate Director Board Member

Gene Marceron

Gene Marceron

Gene Marceron

Associate Director

Board Member

Katrina Haywood, Clinical Coordinator

Katrina Haywood

Samantha Alvarado

Katrina Haywood

Clinical Coordinator

A picture of Erica Nathan, AOS Case Manager

Erica Nathan

Samantha Alvarado

Katrina Haywood

AOS Case Manager

Samantha Alvarado, AOS Case Manager

Samantha Alvarado

Samantha Alvarado

Samantha Alvarado

AOS Case Manager

Kristen Sanders, AOS Case Manager

Kristen Sanders

Kristen Sanders

Samantha Alvarado

AOS Case Manager

A picture of Joel Ortega, AOS support staff

Joel Ortega

Kristen Sanders

Joel Ortega

AOS support staff

Deja Barlow, PSR Case Manager

Deja Barlow

Sister Ann Tamale

Sister Ann Tamale

 PSR Case Manager 

Sister Ann Tamale, PSR Case Manager

Sister Ann Tamale

Sister Ann Tamale

Sister Ann Tamale

 PSR Case Manager 

A picture of Justin Kimball, Housing Coordinator

Justin Kimball

Justin Kimball

Justin Kimball

Housing Coordinator

A picture of Merced Garcia, Housing Case Manager

Merced Garcia

Justin Kimball

Justin Kimball

 Housing Case Manager 

A picture of Yasmine Stewart, Housing Case Manager

Yasmine Stewart

Justin Kimball

Yasmine Stewart

 Housing Case Manager 

A picture of Keli Poppe, Vocational Coordinator

Keli Poppe

Luis Garcia

Luis Garcia

 Vocational Coordinator 

A picture of Luis Garcia, Transportation Manager

Luis Garcia

Luis Garcia

Luis Garcia

 Transportation Manager

Sonya Crowder, Financial Administrative  Coordinator

Sonya Crowder

Luis Garcia

Thresa Griffin

Financial Administrative  Coordinator

A picture of Thresa Griffin, Support Staff

Thresa Griffin

Kathy Podunavac

Thresa Griffin

 Support Staff 

A picture of Teresa Poole, Office Manager

Teresa Poole

Kathy Podunavac

Kathy Podunavac

 Office Manager

A picture of Kathy Podunavac, Support Staff

Kathy Podunavac

Kathy Podunavac

Kathy Podunavac

 Support Staff 

Meet Our Team

Fritz Gelin, The Living Room Wellness Center Coordinator

Fritz Gelin

Yvonne Spates

Fritz Gelin

The Living Room Wellness Center Coordinator

Greg Liegel, Recovery Specialist

Greg Liegel

Yvonne Spates

Fritz Gelin

 Recovery Specialist  

Yvonne Spates, Recovery Specialist

Yvonne Spates

Yvonne Spates

Marshall Jowers

 Recovery Specialist  

Marshall Jowers, Recovery Specialist

Marshall Jowers

Marshall Jowers

Marshall Jowers

 Recovery Specialist  

Carol Dall, Registered Nurse

Carol Dall

Marshall Jowers

Leslie Fields

Registered Nurse 

Leslie Fields, Registered Nurse

Leslie Fields

Marshall Jowers

Leslie Fields

Registered Nurse 

Sandra Bankston, Justice Manager

Sandra Bankston

Arianna Crutchfield

Arianna Crutchfield

Justice Manager

Arianna Crutchfield, COAST Clinician

Arianna Crutchfield

Arianna Crutchfield

Arianna Crutchfield

 COAST Clinician

A picture of Tish, Support Staff

Tish

Tiffany Sanders

Tiffany Sanders

 Support Staff 

Tiffany Sanders, Support Staff

Tiffany Sanders

Tiffany Sanders

Tiffany Sanders

Support Staff


Meet the Board

Judith Shaffer, President

Judith Shaffer

Judith Shaffer

Judith Shaffer

President

Carla Wyckoff, Vice President

Carla Wyckoff

Judith Shaffer

Judith Shaffer

Vice President

A picture of Kevin Berrill, Secretary

Kevin Berrill

Judith Shaffer

Theresa Garwood

Secretary

A picture of Theresa Garwood, Treasurer

Theresa Garwood

Theresa Garwood

Theresa Garwood

Treasurer

A picture of Dane Morgan, Board Member

Dane Morgan

Theresa Garwood

Michael Roach

 Board Member 

A picture of Michael Roach, Board Member

Michael Roach

Theresa Garwood

Michael Roach

 Board Member 

Martha Padilla Ramos, Board Member

Martha Padilla-Ramos

Martha Padilla-Ramos

Martha Padilla-Ramos

Board Member

Otelia Schwartz,  Board Member

Otelia Schwartz

Martha Padilla-Ramos

Martha Padilla-Ramos

 Board Member 

Independence Center In Action

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2025 Washington St, Waukegan, IL 60085 

Phone: (847) 360-1020 

Email: appointments@icwaukegan.org


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