In December, we bid farewell to Celia Wickham, 826CHI’s Interim Executive Director, who transitioned to the Chicago Women’s Health Center, and we welcomed Alicia T. Vega, who resumed Interim Executive Director duties in late December. Alicia and 826CHI Board Chair, Larry Griffin, are working closely together with the rest of the board and the 826CHI community to write 826CHI’s path forward.
Alicia has been a leader in the Chicago nonprofit sector for over 2 decades and stays connected to her younger self by investing in Chicago's youth at every opportunity she gets. Whether it is hosting events in her home for her large family that includes dozens of nieces and nephews or providing support to the Chicago youth community. Her service to the community has included the mentorship of a Youth Action Board made up of youth experiencing homelessness, revamping a residential home for justice involved youth, and a youth ministry program of LGBTQ+ young adults.
Alicia is also a spoken word artist and was featured in the documentary Palabras Dulces, Palabras Amargas (Sweet Words, Bitter Words), featuring the work of La Dulce Palabra Spoken Word Ensemble. A multicultural, multigenerational spoken word ensemble that originated as a collaboration between Amigas Latinas and En Las Tablas Performing Arts Group. The group also self published a collection of poems by the artists.
Welcome, Alicia!