Jason Nicol, M.S., LMFT
Executive Director
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Jason Nicol is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he received a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. Jason is an instructor at Northern Illinois University where he teaches courses on Group Dynamics. He has worked with the adolescent population for his entire career. He was a clinical therapist for Behavior Disordered Adolescents in a residential treatment facility in Rockford prior serving the DeKalb Community. Jason is currently a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and serves on the Executive Board for the Illinois Council on Family Relationships.

Fun Fact: Jason is known for masterminding office pranks and never getting caught! Shhhh don't tell anyone!

Andrea Broska, M.A., L.P.C., N.C.C.
Clinical Director
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Andrea has earned her Master's Degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University in Chicago and is a Licensed Professional Counselor through the Illinois Board of Professional Regulation. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor through the National Board for Certified Counselors. Her past experiences center around working with children and adolescents within a variety of settings including acute care, outpatient community mental health, and alternative school setting. Andrea's professional interests include self-esteem and individual empowerment, family relationships, and art in therapy.

Fun Fact: Andrea loves desserts of all kinds, with chocolate being a tasty favorite. She enjoys making dessert as much as eating it, with Chocolate Éclair Cake being a frequent request!!

John Noreiko
Office Manager
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After growing up in a western suburb near Chicago and graduating from NIU with a degree in history, John spent the next twenty-five years in manufacturing. During the last six years of that part of his life, he served on the Board of Directors of the Chicago area die casting association. The next and current phase of his career found him in the non-profit world, first as the business manager for a low vision eye clinic and now as the Office Manager and Chief Financial Officer of YSB. His wife of nearly twenty years works at Kishwaukee College. They have two teenage children adopted from Korea. John has a special appreciation for playing a variety of musical instruments including the mandolin and fretless electric bass. He enjoys ethnic food and is willing to travel as far as Cincinnati to find the best. Hobbies include cooking, reading, billiards and listening to music to name a few.

Fun fact: John is a wealth of information, though not all of it is useful! He is known around the office as Mr. Google because he always seems to have the answer!

Robin Waffle M.S., CADC
Early Intervention Program Coordinator
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Robin has a Master's Degree in Applied Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is also a Certified Alcohol and other Drug Counselor. Robin has been with YSB since 1991 and currently coordinates the Early Intervention Program. Her professional interests include working with youth who are healing from sexual abuse, trauma, autism spectrum disorders, and conducting groups in school settings.

Fun Fact: During her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, playing games, going to movies, and traveling. She is a huge Chicago Cubs fan.

Trisha McKendry, CADC, LPC
Youth & Family Counseling Coordinator
Substance Abuse Counselor
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Trisha earned a Master's Degree in Family and Consumer Science from Eastern Illinois University. She has over ten years experience working with youth in our community. Trisha is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Trisha's professional interests include parenting education, and adolescent tobacco and substance abuse intervention.

Fun Fact: Trisha Spends 15-20 hours of her week playing with her torch and glass to make lampwork beads and other glass art.

Ahna Young, M.S., ALMFT
Crisis Intervention Coordinator, Girls Empowerment Group Coordinator,
Youth & Family/Crisis Intervention Therapist
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Ahna earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University's Accredited Graduate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy. Ahna is licensed as an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. She was a Graduate Intern Therapist at YSB prior to being hired as a full time therapist and program coordinator for Crisis Intervention and the Girls Empowerment Group. Ahna's patience, compassion, and sense of humor help her connect with youth in a positive, supportive way that promotes each youth's individual strengths. Ahna is particularly interested in dealing with issues related to grief/loss, body image, and helping adolescents form healthy peer and family relationships through increased communication and emotional expression.

Fun Fact: Ahna loves to dance and took her first dance class in college. Ask to see her signature "eggroll" move!

Kelley Grosshuesch, MA, LPC
Youth Project Coordinator, UDIS Coordinator, Youth & Family Therapist, Crisis Intervention Therapist
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Kelley earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology specializing in Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She became passionate about working with adolescents from her volunteer work with a Success Program for high school students where she helped tutor and mentor high risk youth. Kelley is committed to giving back to the community through various volunteering efforts such as CASA and P.A.W.S. (Pets are worth saving).

Fun Fact: Although she lives in and loves the Chicago area, she proudly wears her Green Bay Packer T-Shirts, Hoodies, gloves, hats, socks...but has not yet taken the risk of wearing The CheeseHead.

Erica Steenbergen
Juvenile Diversion CoordinatorAlternative to Suspension Coordinator, Youth & Family Therapist
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Erica earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northern Illinois University's Accredited Graduate Program in Marriage and Family Therapy. She grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree at Central Michigan University, where she first developed an interest in working with families. Erica also has a special interest in working with LGBT and sexual identity issues, in addition to helping adults and adolescents cope with grief and loss.

Fun Fact: Erica loves early mornings. She’s awake every day for coffee and eggs before eight o’clock, even on weekends! She really hates to sleep in and miss those fresh morning hours. She’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at the crack of dawn, and might even drive you a little nuts if you’re the night owl type!

Lilian Alvarez
VolunTeen Coordinator

Lilian graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in Family and Child Studies with an emphasis in Family Social Services. She is a familiar face to YSB having volunteered and served her internship here. During her internship, she assisted with co-leading groups and helped implement school groups. She also spent time co-coordinating the Spartan REACH program, using her great organizational skills, outgoing personality and zeal to connect with youth. Now, she’s putting her skills and experience to work by implementing YSB’s newest program, VolunTEEN.

Fun Fact: As a result of her dance training, Lilian received the opportunity to become a member of the Universal Dance Association her senior year of high school. Part of being a UDA All Star means getting the opportunity to dance in an international parade. Despite tripping on stage in front of 500+ people, Lilian, along with 80 other nationwide dancers performed in the 2002 New Years Eve parade in Paris, France.

Rachel Rothermel
Student Therapist

Rachel is in her final year of graduate school at Northern Illinois University. She will receive her Masters Degree in Applied Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy in May of 2011. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development from the University of Central Missouri in 2009. Rachel has spent several years working with youth volunteering as a youth bowling coach in Northern Illinois and Central Missouri. Rachel also has a special interest working with divorced and blended families.

Fun Fact: Rachel was on a collegiate bowling team at University of Central Missouri and appeared live on ESPN in the 2009 NCAA Bowling Championships, where the “UCM Jennies” finished runner-up. Make sure to ask her what a “Jennie” is!

Krys Sarkady
Student Therapist

Krys is in her final year of graduate school at Northern Illinois University. She will receive her Masters Degree in Applied Family and Child Studies with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy in May of 2011. She earned a Bachelors of Science in Family and Social Services from Northern Illinois University. She completed her undergraduate internship at YSB where she assisted in many of the programs YSB has to offer. Krys coordinated the Alternative to Suspension Program and has worked with court involved youth as well.

Fun Fact: Krys loves the Cubs and hopes to see them win a world series in her life time or at least get past the first round of playoffs. She also loves music of almost any genre, yet for the benefit of mankind, she sings only in the car.