Our Vision & Values

Vision: To end veteran homelessness so that no person who has defended our homes goes without a home.

Values: Compassion, Dedication, Integrity, Responsibility, Welcoming, "Can-Do" Attitude, and Individualized Care

Our Mission

To empower at-risk veterans, and their families, to become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Terry Benshoof - President

Calabrese Associates, P.C., Attorney (Taxation law; estate), Veteran

John Hughes - Treasurer

Wintrust Financial Corporation, Vice President, Business

Justin Smit - Secretary

Smit Zaruba, P.C., Attorney (Divorce & Family Law)

Dr. Michael Pica - At-Large Member

Pica & Associates Psychological Services, Psy. D., Vice President, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Casey Carpenter

President/Owner, Wheatberry Construction, & US Air Force Veteran

Dan Devine

Retired Law Enforcement and Security Professional, & U.S. Marine Veteran

Marvin Donelson

Veteran

Jack Erwin

Franklin Middle School, Teacher, & U.S. Army Veteran

Donna Levigne

Health Care Service Corporation, Divisional Senior Vice President

Cheryl Pappas

VP - Human Resources Director at Zurich North America

Pete Stavroplos

Senior Associate, Charles River Associates, & U.S. Army Veteran

Beau Warren

CEO, Power Stop LLC, & U.S. Marine Veteran

John Wilt

Real Star Realty, Business Owner

Meet Our Staff

We're a growing team with big ideas and a passion for serving Veterans.

Our Senior Team

Christine Lewis - Chief Executive Officer

Rizik Mohammad - Deputy Executive Director

Linda Russell - VP, Human Resources

Melodie Smith - Associate VP, Programs

Megan Mijares - SSVF Senior Program Manager

Ozzy Salcedo - Clinical Director

Kristal Wilson - Veteran Grants Manager

Christian Hoskey - Intensive Housing Program Manager

Our Veteran Care Experts

Aida Beslagic - SSVF Program Manager

Joshua Taylor - SSVF Program Manager

Isabel Reid - Lead Therapist

Terri Thomas - SSVF Lead Case Manager

Christy Fieber - SSVF Lead Case Manager

David Mahnke - Veteran Employment Manager

Madison Murphy - SSVF Healthcare Navigator

Rebecca Spring - SSVF Housing Navigator

Elier Roman - SSVF Case Manager

Heather Hanson - SSVF Case Manager

Brianna Levigne - SSVF Case Manager

Antonio Saucedo - SSVF Case Manager

Robert London - Housing Support Specialist

Denny Prude - Administrative Coordinator

The Midwest Shelter was co-founded by Bob Adams, Vietnam combat veteran and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Dirk Enger, Gulf War combat veteran. The shelter opened its doors in 2007.

The MSHV was co-founded and incorporated in 2000 by Robert M. Adams of Winfield, Illinois. Mr. Adams is a US Navy combat veteran of the Vietnam era, and a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in private practice. Over the past years, Mr. Adams, through his private practice, has been providing individual, group, and family therapy especially for veterans. Mr. Adams has specialized training in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) of which many veterans in his practice are afflicted.

In 2004, Dirk Enger of Winfield, a USMC combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a Union Iron Worker joined Mr. Adams in working with government agencies, veteran service organizations, trade unions, and other entities in exploring the possibility of opening a transitional housing program for veterans of all eras in DuPage County, Illinois. In 2005, a very active Board of Directors was developed. In 2005, Mr. William E. Gahlberg was introduced to the veterans shelter concept and began to partner with Bob and Dirk to make this dream a reality. In the fall of 2005, with the financial support and real estate expertise of Mr. Gahlberg, MSHV entered into an agreement to lease (with an option to purchase) a single family home at 119 N. West St. in Wheaton, Illinois to serve as our inaugural shelter.