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Ann Alvarez

Ann Alvarez

AM '76
Fields of interest
Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management

2010 Distinctive Innovation in Social Service Award Recipient

Casa Central concentrates on transforming lives and strengthening communities with a special focus on Hispanics living in the Chicago metropolitan area. La Posada Interim Housing Program for Homeless Families integrates the consistent delivery of a variety of services that address underlying causes of homelessness. Case managers and colleagues provide families with counseling, childcare, employment assistance and crises intervention during their residence. At the same time, the team works with landlords to identify an independent apartment for the family. More than 1,000 families have been assisted by La Posada and more than 90% of them remain living independently.

For more about Casa Central, visit their website


President and CEO, Casa Central (Retired in 2015.)

“My career goal was to become a clinician, and so my Crown Family School education was centered around working with individuals, families and groups. At the time, I didn’t know that I would one day lead a large social service agency. But what I learned at Crown Family School really did prepare me for this work. Crown Family School instilled a rigor in me for research, the seriousness of the field of social work, and the importance of backing up your theory with information,” reflects Ann Alvarez, who leads an agency helping families navigate the complexities of making Chicago home, pursuing opportunities and improving their lives.

Ann Alvarez was president and CEO of Casa Central, a multi-social service agency offering 23 different programs and services to a constituency of more than 20,000 individuals and families. “My husband, Reverend Daniel Alvarez, was a founder and CEO of Casa Central for 25 years and in 1989 he was invited to become the Commissioner of Human Services for the City of Chicago and I was asked to take over the growing agency. The board knew of my social work with the school system and my Master’s degree from [then] School of Social Service Administration and they believed I could lead the effort. At the time I had been a clinician with the Chicago public schools for 12 years and applied what I had learned at Crown Family School on a daily basis with teachers, students, parents and administrators. To understand where people are coming from you must try to understand what they do and why they do it and perfect a process whereby you really look at people through the lens of their strengths and weaknesses.”

“I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in an area much like the one I now work in. Helping people was always my goal. I came from a strong church and community background where service was a given. I married and moved to Chicago and continued my education earning a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Northeastern University while I was raising a family. When I decided to get my Master’s, I wanted an educational experience that was strong in the area of human behavior and development. I wanted to go to the best and that was Crown Family School. Fortunately, I was accepted.”

Ann notes that her experience at Crown Family School was rigorous, particularly her first year, but a supportive environment of students and faculty made a huge difference. “My time at Crown Family School was very enriching. My professors, as well as many fellow students, were so supportive and one in particular became my mentor. Pastora San Juan Cafferty really opened my eyes and challenged me from day one in her class to think beyond my scope. We have maintained a 30-year plus friendship. When I call her to talk or ask a question, we are immediately into an area three times broader than my original thought and that always enlarges my vision and broadens my perspective.

“I am a team builder and, thanks to Crown Family School, I learned how to put critical thinking into practice to confront the many problems facing our Hispanic communities. Ann explains that Casa Central is an essential resource for people who come from other countries with their dreams and their children and little else. “Our clients have a vision of what they want their lives to be like. Our employees put together the programs and services that will help children, youth, adults and seniors get ahead and realize some of their dreams.”

“Adapting to changing times and needs, and being on top of emerging issues in the field of human services is what Crown Family School stressed. My education provided me with the tools I would need to respond to the great challenges and opportunities in my professional life.”