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Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Inside Thrive Counseling Center—an Illinois DOGE Profile

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Jennifer Rook, Executive Director at Thrive Counseling Center | hrivecc.org

Jennifer Rook, Executive Director at Thrive Counseling Center | hrivecc.org

Thrive Counseling Center, a tax-exempt nonprofit that receives significant public funding to perform services also offered by the state, was approved to receive two grants totaling $800,000 in FY2024, according to passed legislation data extracted from the Illinois General Assembly’s FY2024 budget (Public Act 102-6 0698).

The listed appropriations included grants of $500,000 and $300,000 if two, each designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.

These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.

Founded in 1898, Thrive Counseling Center states that its mission is: “The mission of Thrive Counseling Center is to build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being. Hope, resilience, and recovery form the heart of our programs and services.”

You can learn more about the organization at its website.

In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $3,043,830 in total revenue. Of that, $3,737 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 0.1% of total revenue.

The nonprofit listed $541,069 in contributions overall. It also reported $336,857 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.

At the beginning of 2024, Thrive Counseling Center had $3,243,000 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $3,411,540, indicating a 5.2% growth in overall holdings.

According to its filing, public funding to Thrive Counseling Center declined in the last year, falling from $483,377 in 2023 to $3,737 in 2024—a decrease of 99.2% year-over-year.

However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.

Thrive Counseling Center is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.

In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.

According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.

State of Illinois Approved Grants to Thrive Counseling Center
Fiscal YearTotal Grants/ContractsTotal Taxpayer $$
20242$800,000
Thrive Counseling Center 990 Filing – Key Officers
TermNameTitle
2024-2024Alexandra B LugerDirector
2024-2024Anan AbuDirector
2024-2024Anne Carolyn OscherwitzDirector
2024-2024Bakahia MadisonDirector
2024-2024Carolyn BurkeDirector
2024-2024Frowene RodgersDirector
2024-2024Heidi Hamernik PcDirector
2024-2024James MizgalaSecretary
2024-2024Jennifer RookPresident/Executive Director
2024-2024Julie MckuneDirector
2024-2024Kisten Devine NolanDirector
2024-2024Linda BinderDirector
2024-2024Lyn C ConniffDirector
2024-2024Maria E GarvyVice Chair, Acting Secreta
2024-2024Mark J SegalDirector
2024-2024Mary Anne BrownDirector
2024-2024Michael Tomo OhataDirector
2024-2024Mike HarrisTreasurer
2024-2024Mitchell E BakerDirector
2024-2024Nicole EricksonDirector
2024-2024Stephen A MoralesChair
2024-2024Steven M ParkerDirector
Thrive Counseling Center Employee Roster (Most Recent Year Available)
YearNameTitleCompensation
2024Amy Jane HallsLicensed Marriage And Family Therapist And Owner-
2024Brooke Marie FadanelliCrisis Intern-
2024Elaine PhillipsCrisis Worker And Therapist-
2024Jacqueline Therese StammTherapist-
2024Jane A HawksleyNurse Practitioner-
2024Javier SanchezTherapist-
2024Jodie A GreenSocial Worker And Therapist-
2024Kristen J KeleherLicensed Clinical Professional Counselor-
2024Laura Ellen NesslerTherapist-
2024Laurie J GallagherPsychotherapist-
2024Madeline FriedmanYouth And Family Therapist-
2024Michelle N CerroAssociate Marriage And Family Therapist-
2024Nina N AllenPast President And Chief Executive Officer-
2024Sarah FinneganDirector Of Development-
2024Sarah Victoria AllenTherapist - Clinical Mental Health-
2024Tolly Rose BasemanTherapist And Coordinator-
2024Victoria I Perisee-JohnsMental Health Therapist - Crisis Intervention-
2024William John WallaceFinance Director-
2019Isaac LopezClinical Director-
2019Jennifer M GawlikTherapist-
2019Kathryn Tyrrell WeimannCrisis Worker And Mental Health Social Work Intern-
2018Daina M NorusisYouth And Adolescent Therapist-
2018Natalie BliderManager, Insurance Revenue Cycle-
2018Teresa KruegerCrisis Intern-
2017CRISTAL ORTEGAClinical Social Work Intern-
2017Taylor Nicole WallClinical Counseling Intern And Crisis Worker-
2017Teniece HarrisClinical Social Work Intern-
2016Katie O'BrienOffice Administrator And Marketing Assistant-
2016Sally LewisMental Health Professional And Crisis Counselor Intern-
2015Cathryn B WithersLiaison To The Economy Shop-
2015Gladys M EdgecombeSubstance Abuse Prevention Coordinator-
2015Gladys WrightSubstance Abuse Prevention Coordinator-
2014Annabel Leah HarleyIntern-
2014Anuradha K SpainPsychotherapist-
2014Kristy L KaufmanMental Health Professional, Therapist-
2014Zachary Adam LebowitzCounseling Intern And Crisis Worker-
2012Ashley DahlTherapist And Crisis Worker-
2012Julian Bailey MizgalaIntern-
2011Daniel J KillPresident And Chief Executive Officer-
2010Jonathan Miles NotoTherapist And Crisis Counselor-
2009Bethany Edith GrixTherapy Extern-
2008Bryan J DraveckyCrisis Worker And Insurance Specialist-

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