The Network’s Program Directors and Senior Managers peer support group creates community for directors, senior leaders, or other upper management staff from gender-based violence programs to engage in dialogue surrounding relevant topics to their roles, such as supporting staff and survivor-centered services. Group members are encouraged to share resources, approaches, and strategies with each other within this safe and guided space.

About the Facilitator: Yessenia Maldonado is a clinical social worker and certified yoga and social emotional learning instructor with over 25 years of experience working with children, teens, families and communities. She has held many roles in her professional career, including a school social worker, community and school-based mental health clinician, director of social emotional learning, adjunct professor and executive director in the nonprofit sector. She is the owner of Yes Real Connections LLC, where she offers professional counseling, coaching, and consulting services.

This is virtual group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 10am.

This group is open to staff from all IDHS-funded DV/SA service providers in Illinois.

Peer Support Groups: Program Directors and Senior Leadership