Children and Youth Programs

Children and Youth Programs is part of Casa Central and includes programs such as day care and after school sessions for children and youth. The programs are offered alongside other Casa Central services for individuals and families, including access to social workers, job training, and domestic violence prevention resources. Children and Youth Programs operates within a larger network of services that also includes Home Care Services and the Adult Wellness Center, which is a day service for older adults.

Casa Central operates with a leadership team that includes Martin R. Castro as President & CEO; Nilda La Luz as Chief Operating Officer; Dee Vyas as Chief Financial Officer; Illeana Gomez, LCSW, Ph.D., as Vice President of Senior and Community Services; Nilsa Ramirez as Vice President of Children's Services; and Laura Reilly as Vice President of Advancement. Casa Central has grown into a cornerstone for the Hispanic community with a staff of over 550 employees and provides a network of social service programs that reach nearly 20,000 individuals each year. Casa Central’s programs include early education, homeless prevention, and senior services, and older adults in its programs may interact with peers, work with young people, and receive in-home care when needed. Children who received their first winter coats and doctor check-ups from Casa Central in the 1950s and 1960s now have their own children in Casa Central’s after-school programs and their parents in its senior programs. Casa Central President & CEO Martin R. Castro was named a Notable Leader in Philanthropy by Crain's Chicago Business.

Last updated July 30, 2026.