Reach Out : About Us : Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Founder/ Board President - Reach out Director-Dorothy M. Flisk

Dorothy Flisk grew up on Chicago's Southside attended Christ The King and Mother McAuley; she has been working with children since attending Spring Hill College in Mobile Alabama; where she worked with special needs children and directed a afterschool program. After college Ms. Flisk moved to Urbana Illinois where she continued to work with special needs children, while doing research on infant cognition at the University of Illinois. She then moved west to San Francisco, California to do AmeriCorps VISTA (domestic peace core) where she worked with the Office of Education working on bringing tutoring programs to local schools, and grants writing skills. Dorothy became the school manager of a Better Chance School working with students from 6-22 in age with Autism and severe behavioral problems, assiting the school in expanding & developing; while simultaneously obtaining her first masters degree at the University Of San Francisco, in Marriage, Child, and Family Counseling. In addition to her others duties of work and school, she also had the opportunity to counsel children and their families in three local schools in San Francisco area. After five years "in the west" Ms. Flisk then decided it was time to come home to Chicago, where she obtained her second masters a Masters of Jurisprudence in Child and Family Law, from Loyola University, School of Law, while starting a business with a good friend. Currently she is also vice president of operations for serveral businesses.  Starting a community center has been a dream of Ms. Flisk's and she looks forward to the opportunity to serve the youth of the community!

Board Treasurer- Michael A. Harvey

Michael is a true midwestern growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska; he found his way to Chicago via Minneapolis, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Michael attended undergraduate at the University of Nebraska, earning a degree in Architectural Studies, and after practicing in Minneapolis, returned to school to earn an MBA in Finance from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. Michael worked within business consulting and technology consulting after graduate school, including business workouts/restructuring, business planning, information technology development and implementation, and general management. After moving to Chicago in 2001, Michael decided to leave the consulting industry to move into commercial real estate development and investing. Since that time Michael has worked as a real estate investment broker focusing primarily on downtown Chicago commercial properties and development opportunities. He currently works for Spectrum Real Estate providing acqusition services for Spectrum's own portfolio as well as providing 3rd party services to other real estate investors. Michael is involved in a children's program called The Loop in the Cabrini Green neighborhood of Chicago, and also works with Chicago's Hope House through Chicago's Commercial Real Estate Fellowship.

Board Secretary- Amy Dodd Thompson

 While she's not a Chicago resident, Amy Dodd Thompson of Mobile, Ala., said she falls more and more in love with the city after each visit, which usually includes attending Reach Out Community Center fundraisers. Thompson graduated from Spring Hill College with a bachelor's degree, after double majoring in English and communication arts. While at SHC, Thompson participated in a program where she helped to tutor area at-risk middle students in math and English and later used some of her time filing paper work for Penelope House, a safe house for victims of domestic violence and their children. She had previously volunteered time at Penelope House to help take care of the children once a week during a house meeting as a member of the college's Circle K International. Thompson worked from numerous years as a challenge (ropes) course facilitator at Beckwith Camp and Conference Center in Fairhope, Ala., where as a youth she was a camper and then later served as a camp counselor. As a facilitator, Thompson's responsibilities included safely leading and promoting team and individual development among a variety of different age groups and backgrounds in order to achieve numerous goals. Thompson, who had worked as an education reporter for a paper in Texas, is now a full-time mother, but she works part-time as a page designer/copy editor at Mobile's "Press-Register," and as a freelance writer, she is a regular features correspondent for the "Baldwin Register."  She is a wonderful addition to the Reach Out Family!

Board Member- Jessica Arbour

Jessica Arbour’s commitment to children began as a high school student in northern Minnesota when she participated in a mentoring program for at-risk elementary school students. Since that time, she has worked primarily as an advocate for abused children. Jessica is an Associate Attorney at Herman, Mermelstein & Horowitz, P.A. in Miami, Florida, where 100% of her practice is dedicated to representing abused and exploited children. She previously worked as an immigration advocate in the office of United States Senator. Jessica is an alumnus of DePaul University College of Law in Chicago.

Board Member- Katharine Mindeman

       

Kate Mindeman is a sound designer and mixer at Particle Audio. After graduating from the Columbia College of Chicago Audio Arts and Acoustics program; Kate started her career at Another Country, where she assisted and designed for four years. She then moved on to Particle Audio where she became a lead engineer and works on a multitude of fascinating spots. Kate likes to spend her free time working on short films and going out to fantastic restaurants as well as cooking with her boyfriend. Katy is a wonderful asset to reach out!!!

Board Member- Sean Flisk

    

Sean has been a dedicated member of Chicago society. He has been a part of the Law enforcement for over eleven years and is working hard to make Chicago a better and safer community. Sean’s present assignment is with the Chicago Police Department organized crime division/ gang enforcement unit.  Sean has an astounding record of accomplishments in the police force.  Sean participates/ volunteers in numerous other community and police based organizations.  Sean received his bachelor’s degree from University of Miami in 1999. In 2003, he received a Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) from Loyola University in Chicago, IL. Sean received his M.B.A. from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL in 2009.  Reach Out is ecstatic to have Sean on board, he is an essential part to our team!

Board Member- Russell Lee

Russell is a business man, who is currently attending welding school to further his education.  Russell is a true go-getter who has many wonderful ideas and is a great benefit to Reach Out.