Wellness Program Staff
The Wellness Program operates under the direction of the Wellness Program Clinical Director and a dedicated team of mental health professionals, social workers, home visitors, interpreters/outreach workers, clinical interns from local universities, and volunteers with backgrounds in health and human services. Together, this group is able to identify refugee and immigrant clients who present a variety of health and mental health needs and respond with culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Wellness Program staff are trained to provide health and mental health screenings, crisis intervention, and interventions that promote wellbeing. Staff work closely to coordinate a wide range of services, with intervention methods ranging from individual and group therapy to family support services to psychoeducation seminars aimed at supporting entire communities.
Administration
Aimee Hilado, Ph.D., LCSW - Clinical Director
Aimee Hilado, PhD, LCSW (pronouns: she/her) is the Founder and Clinical Director of the Wellness Program, a program established in 2011 to support the health and mental wellbeing of our refugee and immigrant newcomers across all ages from expectant mothers to older adults. Dr. Hilado oversees program visioning and implementation, and provides therapy across ages with specific expertise in infant mental health, practice with unaccompanied children, and forensic psychological evaluations for asylum-seekers. Additionally, she represents RefugeeOne in the various national and local refugee health and mental health task forces, and oversees program evaluation and reporting.
Dr. Hilado is also an Associate Professor of Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University where she is an academic researcher and instructor in mental health practice with trauma-exposed populations. Moreover, Dr. Hilado’s teaching, research and practice efforts revolve around the importance of early development, mental health, social support, and culturally-sensitive clinical practice with immigrants and refugees. Her degrees are in social work and applied child development with a specialization in infant studies.
Aimee Hilado, PhD, LCSW (pronouns: she/her) is the Founder and Clinical Director of the Wellness Program, a program established in 2011 to support the health and mental wellbeing of our refugee and immigrant newcomers across all ages from expectant mothers to older adults. Dr. Hilado oversees program visioning and implementation, and provides therapy across ages with specific expertise in infant mental health, practice with unaccompanied children, and forensic psychological evaluations for asylum-seekers. Additionally, she represents RefugeeOne in the various national and local refugee health and mental health task forces, and oversees program evaluation and reporting.
Dr. Hilado is also an Associate Professor of Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University where she is an academic researcher and instructor in mental health practice with trauma-exposed populations. Moreover, Dr. Hilado’s teaching, research and practice efforts revolve around the importance of early development, mental health, social support, and culturally-sensitive clinical practice with immigrants and refugees. Her degrees are in social work and applied child development with a specialization in infant studies.
Mental Health Program
Karlene Goodman, M.D. - Wellness Program Psychiatrist
Dr. Karlene Goodman, M.D. is our dedicated psychiatrist in RefugeeOne’s Wellness Program. She provides psychiatric evaluations and on-going clinical support for those clients who warrant this level of service. Dr. Goodman is a graduate of University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School and also holds degrees in English and Law. She has worked with refugee and immigrant populations since 1990 and continues to devote her practice to the same groups.
Allegra Magrisso, LCSW - Reflective Supervisor
Allegra Magrisso, LCSW (pronouns: she/her) serves as the reflective supervisor for the clinical team. She earned her MSW from Loyola University and a Master of Arts from Bank Street College of Education. Her post-graduate training includes being a Registered Play Therapist, certification in family and couples’ therapy, and certification in clinical training. Allegra has had a private practice, providing therapy for children, families, and adults since 1993.
Victoria Severson, LCSW - Mental Health Service Coordinator / Adult Service Coordinator Victoria Severson, LCSW (pronouns: she/her) is the Adult Service Coordinator, who oversees programming for adult clients in the Wellness Program, provides individual/family therapy services and psychoeducation, and coordinates psychiatric services. She also supports coordination of all referrals for mental health services in the program.
Victoria received her Master of Social Work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in Mental Health. During her program, Victoria served families who immigrated from Mexico, providing bilingual in-home family therapy and support services. Following graduation, Victoria worked as a therapist providing in-home individual and family therapy, case management, and advocacy support to families formed by adoption, with a developmental trauma- and attachment-informed focus. Victoria’s knowledge of how trauma and attachment impacts families informs the support she provides to immigrant populations at RefugeeOne.
Stephanie Japczyk, A.M. - Youth Service Coordinator
Stephanie Japczyk, A.M. (pronouns: she/her) is the Child and Youth Service Coordinator who oversees programming for children/youth age 6-24 years including individual/group therapy services and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) groups for youth and parents.
Stephanie graduated from The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration with a Master of Arts and completed the Global Social Development Practice program of study. Prior to obtaining her master’s degree, Stephanie worked with Asylum-seekers, U-Visa applicants, and migrant workers at the U.S./Mexico border. At RefugeeOne, Stephanie serves clients across the lifespan with a primary focus on refugee youth through individual, group, and family therapy.
Rae Reed, LCSW - Early Childhood Service Coordinator
Rae Reed, MS, LCSW (pronouns: they/them) is the Early Childhood Coordinator who oversees programming for pregnant mothers and families with children under age 5. This includes the Wellness Program's prenatal support groups, trauma-informed Baby TALK Home Visiting Services, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) services.
Rae received their Masters of Science in Early Childhood Development from the Erikson Institute and their Master of Social Work from Loyola University with an emphasis on migration and international social work including a study abroad program in Mexico City and an internship with a refugee agency in South Africa. Following graduation, Rae worked as a therapist with unaccompanied minors at Heartland Alliance in Chicago, participated in volunteer group work at the U.S. Mexico border and began a private practice which included immigration interviews. They also worked as a therapist and supervisor at Eating Recovery Centers, Insight. Rae is Spanish speaking, providing therapy across the lifespan and also conducts forensic psychological assessments for asylum seekers.
Baby TALK Home Visiting Program
This program supports pregnant mothers and families with children under the age of 3 years with developmental parenting services that promotes the mental wellbeing and development of young children and their parents/caregivers. (Home Visiting Supervisor: Rae Reed, LCSW)
Dr. Karlene Goodman, M.D. is our dedicated psychiatrist in RefugeeOne’s Wellness Program. She provides psychiatric evaluations and on-going clinical support for those clients who warrant this level of service. Dr. Goodman is a graduate of University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School and also holds degrees in English and Law. She has worked with refugee and immigrant populations since 1990 and continues to devote her practice to the same groups.
Allegra Magrisso, LCSW - Reflective Supervisor
Allegra Magrisso, LCSW (pronouns: she/her) serves as the reflective supervisor for the clinical team. She earned her MSW from Loyola University and a Master of Arts from Bank Street College of Education. Her post-graduate training includes being a Registered Play Therapist, certification in family and couples’ therapy, and certification in clinical training. Allegra has had a private practice, providing therapy for children, families, and adults since 1993.
Victoria Severson, LCSW - Mental Health Service Coordinator / Adult Service Coordinator Victoria Severson, LCSW (pronouns: she/her) is the Adult Service Coordinator, who oversees programming for adult clients in the Wellness Program, provides individual/family therapy services and psychoeducation, and coordinates psychiatric services. She also supports coordination of all referrals for mental health services in the program.
Victoria received her Master of Social Work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in Mental Health. During her program, Victoria served families who immigrated from Mexico, providing bilingual in-home family therapy and support services. Following graduation, Victoria worked as a therapist providing in-home individual and family therapy, case management, and advocacy support to families formed by adoption, with a developmental trauma- and attachment-informed focus. Victoria’s knowledge of how trauma and attachment impacts families informs the support she provides to immigrant populations at RefugeeOne.
Stephanie Japczyk, A.M. - Youth Service Coordinator
Stephanie Japczyk, A.M. (pronouns: she/her) is the Child and Youth Service Coordinator who oversees programming for children/youth age 6-24 years including individual/group therapy services and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) groups for youth and parents.
Stephanie graduated from The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration with a Master of Arts and completed the Global Social Development Practice program of study. Prior to obtaining her master’s degree, Stephanie worked with Asylum-seekers, U-Visa applicants, and migrant workers at the U.S./Mexico border. At RefugeeOne, Stephanie serves clients across the lifespan with a primary focus on refugee youth through individual, group, and family therapy.
Rae Reed, LCSW - Early Childhood Service Coordinator
Rae Reed, MS, LCSW (pronouns: they/them) is the Early Childhood Coordinator who oversees programming for pregnant mothers and families with children under age 5. This includes the Wellness Program's prenatal support groups, trauma-informed Baby TALK Home Visiting Services, and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) services.
Rae received their Masters of Science in Early Childhood Development from the Erikson Institute and their Master of Social Work from Loyola University with an emphasis on migration and international social work including a study abroad program in Mexico City and an internship with a refugee agency in South Africa. Following graduation, Rae worked as a therapist with unaccompanied minors at Heartland Alliance in Chicago, participated in volunteer group work at the U.S. Mexico border and began a private practice which included immigration interviews. They also worked as a therapist and supervisor at Eating Recovery Centers, Insight. Rae is Spanish speaking, providing therapy across the lifespan and also conducts forensic psychological assessments for asylum seekers.
Baby TALK Home Visiting Program
This program supports pregnant mothers and families with children under the age of 3 years with developmental parenting services that promotes the mental wellbeing and development of young children and their parents/caregivers. (Home Visiting Supervisor: Rae Reed, LCSW)
- Winnie Akello, B.A. (pronouns: she/her) - Home Visitor for Congolese families
- Faridah Binti Mohamad Ali, B.A. (pronouns: she/her) - Home Visitor for Rohingya families
- Manar Matti, B.A. (pronouns: she/her) - Home Visitor for Iraqi and Syrian families
- Wahidah Binti Abu Taib (pronouns: she/her) - Home Visitor for Rohingya and Burmese families
Health Program
Daniela Zimmer, MSW, MPH, Health Service Coordinator
Daniela Zimmer, MSW, MPH (pronouns: she/her) is the Health Service Coordinator in the RefugeeOne Wellness Program. In her role, she oversees the medical case management program for clients with complex health and mental health needs, facilitates psychoeducation programs on a range of health topics, and runs peripartum education groups for pregnant mothers. Daniela also oversees the RefugeeOne Dental Clinic and other targeted health programs including nutrition science, physical therapy, and occupational therapy services.
Daniela’s degrees are in social work and public health from the University of Illinois Chicago with a concentration in community health sciences and maternal and child health. Her background as a child of Ghanaian immigrants and her deep knowledge of social determinants of health and barriers in the United States healthcare system informs how her program holistically addresses individual health needs while using research to advocate and remove barriers to equitable healthcare access among displaced immigrant populations.
RefugeeOne Dental Clinic
In collaboration with the UIC College of Dentistry and a team of volunteer dental specialists, the RefugeeOne Dental Clinic is able to provide a range of treatments to refugees and immigrants.
Daniela Zimmer, MSW, MPH (pronouns: she/her) is the Health Service Coordinator in the RefugeeOne Wellness Program. In her role, she oversees the medical case management program for clients with complex health and mental health needs, facilitates psychoeducation programs on a range of health topics, and runs peripartum education groups for pregnant mothers. Daniela also oversees the RefugeeOne Dental Clinic and other targeted health programs including nutrition science, physical therapy, and occupational therapy services.
Daniela’s degrees are in social work and public health from the University of Illinois Chicago with a concentration in community health sciences and maternal and child health. Her background as a child of Ghanaian immigrants and her deep knowledge of social determinants of health and barriers in the United States healthcare system informs how her program holistically addresses individual health needs while using research to advocate and remove barriers to equitable healthcare access among displaced immigrant populations.
RefugeeOne Dental Clinic
In collaboration with the UIC College of Dentistry and a team of volunteer dental specialists, the RefugeeOne Dental Clinic is able to provide a range of treatments to refugees and immigrants.
- Brian Homann, DDS - RefugeeOne Dental Advisory Committee (DAC) Co-Chair. Dr. Homann (pronouns: he/his) serves as co-chair of the DAC, supporting the strategic planning, operations, and ongoing protocol development governing the RefugeeOne Dental Clinic. He is a general dentist located in Elk Grove Village and an adjunct clinical assistant professor at the UIC College of Dentistry where he oversees students providing free dental care to underserved populations. Dr. Homann is also an alumni of the UIC College of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
- Esther Lopez, DDS, MPH - RefugeeOne Dental Advisory Committee Co-Chair. Dr. Lopez (pronouns: she/her) also serves as co-chair of the DAC, supporting the strategic planning, operations, and ongoing protocol development governing the RefugeeOne Dental Clinic. Dr. Lopez is the owner of Healthy Tooth Dental in Oak Park, IL and serves on the American Dental Association Health Advisory Committee. She is an adjunct professor at the UIC College of Dentistry where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery and has also completed her master’s degree in Public Health.