Our Vision & Values

Vision: To end veteran homelessness so that no person who has defended our homes goes without a home.

Values: Compassion, Dedication, Integrity, Responsibility, Welcoming, "Can-Do" Attitude, and Individualized Care

Our Mission

To empower at-risk veterans, and their families, to become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Terry Benshoof - Interim President

Calabrese Associates, P.C., Attorney (Taxation law; estate), Veteran

John Hughes - Treasurer

Wintrust Financial Corporation, Vice President, Business

Justin Smit - Secretary

The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., Attorney (family law)

Dan Devine

Retired Law Enforcement and Security Professional, & US Marine, Veteran

Marvin Donelson

Veteran

Jack Erwin

Franklin Middle School, Teacher & US Army, Veteran

Donna Levigne

Health Care Service Corporation, Divisional Senior Vice President

Cheryl Pappas

VP - Human Resources Director at Zurich North America

Dr. Michael Pica

Pica & Associates Psychological Services, Psy. D., Vice President, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

John Wilt

Real Star Realty, Business Owner

Meet Our Staff

• Christine Lewis - Executive Director

• Rizik Mohammad - Deputy Executive Director

• Danielle Figueroa - VP, Operations

• Melodie Smith - Associate VP, Programs

• Megan Mijares - SSVF Senior Program Manager

• Aida Beslagic - SSVF Program Manager

• Joshua Taylor - SSVF Program Manager

• Kristal Conklin - Veteran Grants Manager

• Ozzy Salcedo - Affordable & Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager

• Christian Hoskey - Health Care Navigator

• Rebecca Spring - SSVF VASH Housing Navigator

• Lilia Guralnik - SSVF Case Manager

• Heather Hanson - SSVF Case Manager

• Steven Miller - SSVF Case Manager

• Isabel Reid - SSVF Case Manager

• Terri Thomas - SSVF Case Manager

• Jocelyn Zambrano - SSVF Case Manager

• Dave Holle - Housing Support Specialist

• Robert London - Housing Support Specialist

• Denny Prude - Administrative Coordinator

• Juan Gonzalez - SSVF Intake & Exit Coordinator

• David Mahnke - SSVF Intake & Exit Coordinator

The Midwest Shelter was co-founded by Bob Adams, Vietnam combat veteran and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Dirk Enger, Gulf War combat veteran. The shelter opened its doors in 2007.

The MSHV was co-founded and incorporated in 2000 by Robert M. Adams of Winfield, Illinois. Mr. Adams is a US Navy combat veteran of the Vietnam era, and a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in private practice. Over the past years, Mr. Adams, through his private practice, has been providing individual, group, and family therapy especially for veterans. Mr. Adams has specialized training in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of which many veterans in his practice are afflicted.

In 2004, Dirk Enger of Winfield, a USMC combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a Union Iron Worker joined Mr. Adams in working with government agencies, veteran service organizations, trade unions, and other entities in exploring the possibility of opening a transitional housing program for veterans of all eras in DuPage County, Illinois. In 2005, a very active Board of Directors was developed. In 2005, Mr. William E. Gahlberg was introduced to the veterans shelter concept and began to partner with Bob and Dirk to make this dream a reality. In the fall of 2005, with the financial support and real estate expertise of Mr. Gahlberg, MSHV entered into an agreement to lease (with an option to purchase) a single family home at 119 N. West St. in Wheaton, Illinois to serve as our inaugural shelter.