By Ashmar Mandou

Recently, Gads Hill Center announced the appointment of Mariana Osoria as the new CEO, effective this month. “We at Gads Hill are proud to continue our work with you to fulfill our mission of creating opportunities for children and their families to build a better life through education, access to resources, and community engagement,” said Jim Brett, president, GHC Board of Directors.

Gads Hill Center is a non-profit organization that offers families access to resources for their children to grow healthy and strong. Gads Hill Center offers kindergarten, singing groups, cooking classes, after-school programs, English as a second language course, and citizenship classes. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead Gads Hill Center and work with the committed and talented board, leadership team, and staff. It is and has been my life’s work and honor to serve immigrant, Latino, and Black families to support the dreams they have for themselves, their children, and their community,” said Osoria. “I look forward to partnering with team members, and the families we serve to create opportunities to build strong and robust lives. I am especially excited to follow in the great footsteps of Maricela García, who grew the organization during her tenure to expand our services to more families.”

Most recently, Osoria served the City of Chicago in the Mayor’s Office as First Deputy of Human Services. Prior to that, she was at Family Focus for 17 years. Initially a volunteer at Family Focus, Mariana eventually joined the organization’s team as Assistant Center Director, then Center Director, and eventually Vice President of Centers from 2015–2020. Osoria finished her last three years there as Sr. Vice President of Strategy, Policy & Equity. Family Focus’s mission, values, and programs are well-aligned with those of Gads Hill Center.

Osoria remains active as a Commissioner on the Cook County Commission on Women’s Issues, as a Truth and Racial Healing Practitioner, a Latino Agenda member and board member for a Federally Qualified Health Center. “I welcome Mariana and am confident that she will be a great leader for Gads Hill. I am excited to see where she will take the organization in the coming years and will continue to support her and Gads Hill,” said former Chief Executive Officer Maricela García. Under Garcia’s leadership since 2012, Gads Hill Center significantly expanded its reach and services for children and families across the Brighton Park, Chicago Lawn, North Lawndale and Pilsen communities. Key milestones during her tenure include Opening new Gads Hill Center locations across the southwest side of Chicago and growing the budget from $4 million to $16 million, allowing the Center to serve over 5,000 children and families annually with bilingual, culturally competent services and integrating mental health support and social justice practices into all of Gads Hill Center’s programming, helping children and youth build social-emotional well-being, resilience, and civic engagement.