FEATHERFIST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Vice President, Emeritus )
Araina joined Featherfist as Chief Operating Officer in 1992. From the start, she not only worked tirelessly to promote our organization throughout Chicago, but also maintained an exhaustive list of partners who helped Featherfist clients after they left our care.
Araina's work in human services began in 1974 as the owner/operator of the Loft-a center on the southside of Chicago that provided social services and creative outlets for "latch key" teens. During Featherfist's initial outreach phase, Araina also trained in family welfare at the Mary McDowell Family Services for three years. She received her degree in Social Services at Kennedy King College and Governor State University.
In 2005, she became Vice President Emeritus of Featherfist and President of the Featherfist Development Corporation, a Community Development Entity (CDE) that finds and packages community projects to foster stability and growth.
Job Titles:
- Director of Grants & Contracts
Job Titles:
- Director of Development
- Retired
Dr. Howard J Stanback passed away on September 16 in Hedgesville WV. He was the son of the late Geneva and Charles R Stanback. Dr. Stanback attended Durham, NC public schools he was a member of the National Honor Society and an outstanding football player at Hillside High School. He attended Andover Academy before entering Wake Forest University and was one of the first African American scholarship athletes in the Atlantic Coast conference. Dr. Stanback received his master's degree in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University and a doctorate in Economics and Public Finance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
A lifetime activist who believed in public investment for underserved communities and populations. He was Assistant Dean at the University of Connecticut School of Social work, Associate Professor of Economics at the New School of Social Work. He left academia to join Mayor Harold Washington's administration as Deputy Director of Employment and Training, Mayoral Liaison for Infrastructure, and Commissioner of Aviation. He also served Mayor Carrie Saxon Perry's administration as the City Manager of Hartford Connecticut. He returned to his passion for justice and equality joining the non-profit Featherfist Inc. a Chicago social service agency for the homelessness. As Director of Development he raised funds for permanent housing, permanent supportive and transitional housing. He retired in 2017 to enjoy his favorite past time play golf at The Woods in Hedgesville, WV. Howard served as a Deacon at Trinity United Church of Christ. At the time of transition, he maintained his commitment to Trinity and was a member of The Hedges Chapel a historic non-denominational chapel in Hedgesville
He is survived by his wife Audrey Rowe, his son Zuri Stanback, his daughter Sydney Stanback, his bothers Charles R. Jr (Shirlyn) of Chapel Hill NC and Barry Stanback of Hedgesville, 5 grandchildren and a host of cousins, friends and neighbors.
Job Titles:
- Director of Project Development
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Founder
A retired college professor specializing in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Residential Childhood & Human Services, Melanie received her PhD in Education Curriculum & Instruction, as well as Educational Psychology from Loyola University. She is a former trainer for the Lay Ministers of Care and a Eucharistic Minister.
Her education and experience led to the development of the Featherfist Model of Social Services, which addresses the underlying causes of homelessness. Melanie has received numerous awards for her achievements, including recognition and funding from the City of Chicago, Cook County Board, State of Illinois, HUD McKinney Funds and Veterans Administration Funds.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator, Intake & Assessment
Upon graduating from National Louis University, Stacey spent a rewarding decade-long career in elementary education before joining Featherfist in 1995 as the Chief Program Officer.
Since 2005, Stacey has been the Chief Operating Officer responsible for day to day operations and resource collaboration. She is the staff leader of Featherfist, working side by side with her team of more than 60 employees to help more than 2,000 homeless clients annually discover hope and stability in their journey to regain "power & purpose" in their lives. Stacey's compassion and dedication has helped nearly 90% of Featherfist clients obtain and/or maintain stable, affordable housing each year. Stacey sits on several policy related advocacy committees throughout the city of Chicago focused on Homelessness and Veteran Services. She was honored in 2020 by Coldwell Banker Realty as a Hometown Hero. She is a fitness enthusiast and likes to run marathons for a cause.
Job Titles:
- Director, Featherfist Employment