Empowering Individuals

Our team is dedicated to providing expert guidance on housing issues, debt management, bankruptcy, and student loans. Let us help you navigate these challenges with confidence and peace of mind.

With our tailored counseling and educational services, you can take control of your financial future and achieve your goals. Trust us to support you every step of the way.

Meet our counselors

  • DONNA RASMUSSEN

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ NCFP FINANCIAL EDUCATOR

    With CCCS: Since 2019

    Services: HUD and NFCC certified counselor; financial literacy educator; presents workshops for social service agencies and their clients, libraries, townships and prisons

    Education/Accreditations:

    • U.S. Navy veteran

    • Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from National-Louis University

    • Leadership Greater McHenry County 2024

    • Junior Vice Commander of Woodstock American Legion Post 412

  • TOM NAPHOLZ

    TOM NAPHOLZ

    NCFP FINANCIAL EDUCATOR/NCFP HOUSING COUNSELOR

    With CCCS: Since 2021

    Services: Financial literacy educator

    Education/ Accreditations:

    • Bachelor’s degree in finance and MBA in management from Drake University

    • HUD and NFCC certifications

  • JOSÚE FERNANDEZ

    NCFP FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATOR

    With CCCS: Since 2022

    Services: Financial literacy educator

    Education/ Accreditations:

    • Josúe moved to the United States at age 10; he joined the Army at age 20

    • Bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in finance from DePaul University

    • Works full time in banking

    • Part time financial literacy educator

  • JAN HAGGERTY

    NCFP HOUSING COUNSELOR

    With CCCS: Since 2024

    Services: Eviction court support for tenants and landlords; financial literacy teaching;

    budget counseling

    Education/Accreditations:

    • Bachelor’s degree in economics of consumer debt from George Mason University

    • Certified housing counseling

  • DIANE CHRISTENSEN

    ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUD HOUSING COUNSELOR, DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ADVISOR

    With CCCS: Since 2023

    Services: Grant reporting, housing counseling, debt management

    Education/Accreditations:

    • Bachelor of science degree in business administration and human resources from Columbia College of Missouri

    • Extensive experience working with clients in finance, budgeting and credit as assistant executive director and HUD and NFCC certified housing counselor

    • As debt management program advisor, she works with families and individuals to improve their financial budget, combine debts into one monthly payment, reduce fees and interest, and increase credit scores

  • ERIKA CHAVEZ

    NCFP BI-LINGUAL/HOUSING COUNSELOR

    With CCCS: Since 2018

    Services: HUD and NFCC bilingual housing counselor

    Education/Accreditations:

    • Bachelor’s degree in international relations from Universidad Autonoma De Chihauhau

    • Worked at NHS of Chicago for 9 years

    • HUD and NFCC certified counselor

    • Neighborworks certified

    • Serves on Kane County Mediation program

  • MARIA LOURDES VAZQUEZ

    NCFP HOUSING COUNSELOR

    With CCCS: Since 2019

    Services: HUD and NFCC certified counselor

    Education/Accreditations:

    • Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico

    • HUD and NFCC certified counselor

    • Extensive experience working with seniors and volunteers

  • NICOLE STRITZEL

    NCFP/HOUSING/REVERSE MORTGAGE COUNSELOR

    With CCCS: Since 2007

    Services: HUD and NFCC certified counselor

    Education/Accreditations:

    • Bachelor’s degree of science in accountancy from Northern Illinois University

    • Master’s degree in pastoral care from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University

    • Extensive training through Neighborworks

    • NHNLA housing counseling training; certification program for foreclosure prevention

    • HECM Certified

    • Reverse mortgage counselor

  • PEGGY SARBAUGH

    With CCCS  16 years total – returned to CCCS after retiring as Fiscal Officer for McHenry County Workforce Network

    Education and Accreditations:

    • Associate’s degree in general education, Columbia College Missouri

    • HUD and NFCC Certified Counselor

    • Extensive knowledge of community resources and social service agencies having worked in the field for 34 years

  • SCOTT FRANZGROTE

    FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATOR/COMMUNITY OUTREACH

    With CCCS: Since 2024

    Services: Financial literacy educator and community outreach

    Education/Accreditations:

    • Bachelor of arts in psychology from Eastern Illinois University

    • MBA, management emphasis from Robert Morris University

    • Certified financial educator, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)

    • HUD certified housing counselor

Meet our Board of Directors

  • LACHELL JEFFRIES AARONEAUX

    LACHELL JEFFRIES AARONEAUX

    State Training Director for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Illinois - 16 years

    With CCCS: Since 2022 

    Education & Experiences:

    • Partnered with law enforcement to train their Crisis Intervention Team to respond to mental health calls

    • University of Maryland B.S. in Engineering/Construction Management

    • Leadership Greater McHenry County 

    Interests: Certified meditation instructor  

  • RICHARD ADAMSON

    Commercial Lender with First Secure State Bank

    With CCCS: Since 2021

    Education & Experience:

    • Loyola University of Chicago BBA and MSIR

  • SHANNON DEVINGER

    Treasury Management Officer for Wintrust Financial, supporting two charters, Barrington Bank & Trust and State Bank of the Lakes

    With CCCS: Since 2004 

    Education & Experience: 

    • Eastern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University for BS in Accounting

    • Graduated from Columbia College

    • Work experience includes McHenry County Health Department, US99 Country Music Radio, BMO Harris Bank and Wintrust

    • Volunteer with CCCS, CASA, WAYSO Soccer, RDC Booters, WHS Backers, Dick Tracy Museum Board and Kiwanis.

    Interests: Boating, NASCAR and family

  • JERRY DUPAW

    Producing Branch Manager at Rate Algonquin Branch

    With CCCS: Since 2012, including 7 years as president 

    Interests: Single father to two teenage daughters 

  • LAURA FRANZ, LCSW

    Executive Director of Veterans Path to Hope since 2015

    With CCCS: Since 2017

    Education & Experience: 

    • Illinois State University, BSW

    • University of Illinois in Chicago, MSW

    • Licensed clinical social worker in Illinois 

    • Served in various social service settings and on various nonprofit boards to support causes that assist individuals in overcoming barriers and achieving success

    Interests: Rotary Club of Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers

  • KATHRYN GASKILL

    Project Manager at Motorola Solutions 

    With CCCS: Since 2023

    Education & Experience:

    • Previously served on the YWCA Elgin Board of Directors

    • Worked for non-profits for more than 13 years 

    • In 2023, advised high school interns on budgeting and obtained Behavioral Economics Certificate through Next Gen Personal Finance

    Interests: University of Iowa Hawkeyes football fan

  • MELISSA HERNANDEZ

    President of the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce since 2006  

    Real Estate Agent with Premier Living Properties since 2016

    With CCCS: Since 2017

    Education & Experience:

    • Associate’s in business, McHenry County College

    • Bachelor’s in business, Kaplan University

  • J. D. HULS

    Attorney, James D. Huls & Associates

    With CCCS:  10+ years

    Education & Experience:

    • John Marshall Law School, Juris Doctor

    • Bradley University, Bachelor of Science Business/ Finance

    • 44 years of business experience

    Interests: Historical and overseas travel

  • MARK PIEKOS

    Executive Director, McHenry County Economic Development Corporation

    With CCCS: Since 2021

    Education & Experience:

    • Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Illinois

    • Leadership Greater McHenry County, 2012

    • McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Board

    • President of Crimestoppers for McHenry County.

    Interests: Playing guitar, collecting vintage motorcycles        

  • PAUL ZUKOWSKI

    Managing Attorney Prairie State Legal Services, Woodstock, IL

    Joined Prairie State in 2012, after 15 years in private practice 

    With CCCS:  Since 2017

    Education & Experience

    • Received the Peace and Justice award from Turning Point in 2016

    • Former President of the Family Law Section of McHenry County Bar Association and a Facilitator for the 22nd Judicial Circuit’s Divorce Early Resolution Program

    • Active in United Way, 22nd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Coordinating Council, the Continuum of Care to End Homelessness  

    • B.A., Carleton College

    • J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law

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