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Meet our Staff

Richard Pearlman, Executive Director

Richard Pearlman founded Family Resource Center (FRC) in 1987. He graduated from Friends World College, and then went on to receive a Masters in Social Work from George Williams College in 1980. After working in a variety of social service settings in the early 1980's Richard became a supervisor at a local adoption agency. He found the prevailing ideas and philosophies surrounding adoption to be limiting and exclusionary. Most agencies were rigid in their belief that "closed" adoption was always best for all parties, they had specific approval criteria in terms of age, religion or length of marriage, and most took a psychoanalytic approach to screening adoptive parents.

Richard decided to create an alternative agency, founded on the premise that people are best able to manage their own lives and should make their own choices based on their individual circumstances. He brought together a team of concerned professionals who developed a "down-to-earth" no nonsense approach to adoption. From the very beginning they took the position that birth parents and adoptive parents would want to cooperate with one another and did not need an agency to tell them what to think or how to feel. The result was Family Resource Center.

"The topic of adoption is complicated and while it certainly includes its share of joy and celebration, for many it involves loss and sadness and emotional intensity. The act of adoption does not stop at the moment of placement. For all members of the adoption triad it is a life long journey. FRC was created as a place where there could be a free and open discussion about adoption and its meaning in people's lives, throughout their lives."

 

Jane Turner, Associate Director

Jane has been with Family Resource Center since January of 1990, when she began as one of the agency's first homestudy workers. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and is a licensed social worker.

Over the years Jane has been involved in all aspects of the agency; Domestic Adoption, International Adoption and most recently she has taken a leadership role in FRC's burgeoning Post-Adoption Services Program. Jane says, "Assisting families and children as they navigate through the complex experience of adoption is a never-ending journey filled with joys and wonder. Having the opportunity to be involved with a waiting family as they evolve and blossom into an adoptive family is an incredibly rich experience. My time with the agency have been enormously rewarding both personally and professionally. I look forward to the next decade and beyond. My work at FRC is a true privilege!"

 

BIRTH PARENT COUNSELING STAFF

Leigh Bonick, Birth Parent Counselor

Leigh has been a counselor with Family Resource Center since March of 2011. She graduated from Fairfield University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and continued to Loyola University where she received her Masters in Social Work. Leigh brings her previous adoption experience to her work at Family Resource Center. Leigh has worked with families adopting through the foster care system and the children being adopted. She has also had the opportunity to work with members of the adoption circle through post adoption services. Leigh is thrilled to be working at FRC and feels priveldged to assist birth parents during this difficult time in their lives. "I have so much respect for the women and men who come to the agency considering an adoption plan. I strive to provide birth parents with information regarding adoption and their options so they can make the most informed decision as to what is best for them and their children."

Pamela Brown, Coordinator of Birth Parent Counseling

Pam has been with Family Resource Center since July of 1991. She graduated from the University of Iowa where she studied psychology, child development and counseling. Pam counsels birth parents in northern, central and southern Illinois. Pam states that after many years with FRC she still loves her job. "Birth parents come to us during a challenging time in their lives. I feel privileged to be able to educate the people I work with so they can make well-informed choices. Every day I am amazed by the people I work with."

Leslie Wright, Birth Parent Counselor

Leslie joined Family Resource Center ’s team in June 2009.  She graduated from Hope College and continued her education at Loyola University where she obtained a Masters degree in Social Work.  She works with birth parents that live in the Chicago-land area and suburbs, assisting them to explore their options and make the best decision for their future.  Leslie said, “I feel fortunate to be a part of such a caring and hardworking team of people at FRC.  I admire the birth parents I work with and the decisions they carefully consider in order to provide the best future for their child.  Whether they decide to place or parent their child I enjoy supporting them along the way.”

 

PROGRAM COORDINATORS AND ADMINISTRATION

Angela Bartle, Director of Development

Angela has been with Family Resource Center since November of 2000. She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She was hired as the FRC receptionist and quickly fell in love with the agency, the people, and the process of adoption. She loves planning the spring picnic, every year: "watching families return and celebrate at the picnic is truly the highlight of my year!" In addition to planning the picnic, Angela is responsible for, the annual Spring Gala, the production of our newsletter "Small Steps," coordinating our phone team of volunteers, and managing our birth parent apartment. As Director of Development, she also coordinates annual appeals and grant writing.

Amy Emerzian, Director of Finance

Amy joined Family Resource Center in October of 2002. She is a CPA and a graduate of DePaul University, holding a Bachelor degree in Commerce. After Amy came to FRC from Pricewaterhouse Coopers, she immediately fell in love with the challenge of working in a non-profit environment. Amy's knowledge gained from her background in public accounting is put to good use managing the agency's assets, liabilities and cash flow. "As a mother of four children, it is a joy to work in an organization that helps create families."

Misty Jovanovich, Staff Accountant

Misty has been with Family Resource Center since August of 2003. She graduated from Robert Morris College with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Accounting. Misty is responsible for the day to day accounting activities. "The most enjoyable part of working at FRC for me is knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of others. It's an amazing feeling to be apart of the adoption process. Words can definitely not express its true experience."

Michelle Setka, Coordinator of Administration

Michelle joined Family Resource Center in October of 2001. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor degree in Psychology. Michelle originally began coordinating DCFS licensing and over the years her position evolved and currently includes overseeing all Domestic and International Home Study administration, coordinating the education and training program and monitoring foster family home licensing. "One of the most exciting times for me is working with families and then hearing about their successful adoptions. My efforts have been part of making a difference in their lives and the lives of their children."

 

ADOPTIVE FAMILY CASEWORKERS

Susan Braithwaite, Home Study Worker and Intake Coordinator

Susan has worked as a Home Study Worker for FRC since adopting her first daughter from China in 1995 and her second daughter in Chicago in 1997.  Susan is also FRC's PQI Team Leader.  Susan has a BA from the U of I, a MS from Loyola University and a Law Degree from De Paul University.  Susan says that working at FRC reminds her of her favorite movie, It's a Wonderful Life, because, "I see how my small part can have a big impact on peoples' lives."

Marilyn Lindeman, Home Study Worker

Marilyn has worked as a Home Study Worker for FRC since 1996 and has been an FRC volunteer since 1989. She is the adoptive mom of three children, adopted through FRC.  Marilyn has a BS from Northwestern University, is an RN and is working part-time as a Nurse Practitioner. Marilyn says "I am grateful to and inspired by the people who work for this organization."

Linda Marder, Home Study Worker

Linda has worked as a Home Study Worker for FRC since 1995.  She and her husband adopted two sons through the help of FRC.  Prior to being a Home Study Worker, Linda worked as a music teacher and as a junior high school counselor.  Linda has a BS in Music Education and an MA in Counseling.  Linda says, "Working for FRC is very rewarding because of the dedicated people working there, the excellence of the agency and because of all the clients I've truly enjoyed working with!"

Gail McGraw, Home Study Worker

Gail has worked as a Home Study Worker for FRC since 1995, although adoption has been a part of her life for over 38 years.  Gail started working for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as an adoption worker in 1971, placing children with special needs in adoptive homes all over the United States.  Gail left IDCFS to raise her two adopted children who are now adults.  Gail has a Bachelor's Degree in English and Education from Northern Illinois University.  Gail says, "I adore my job and hope to be doing it for years to come."   

Joan Reardon, Home Study Worker

Joan has worked as a Home Study Worker for FRC since January 1998.  In addition to her RN, she has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan and a Master's Degree from the University of Illinois, Springfield.  Joan is the mother of four adopted children and has great empathy for couples who hope to create their families through adoption.  Joan says, "My clients are very special people and I care about them deeply.  This is far more than just a job."

Alice Sutor, Home Study Worker

Alice has worked as a Home Study Worker for FRC since 2005.  Her interest in adoption came about as she is adopted herself. She has been working in the field of adoption for sixteen years. Alice has a BA from Judson University and a MA in Counseling Psychology from Trinity University.  Alice says, “I feel privileged to be part of a process of helping build a family through adoption. Every child is such a blessing.”