Contact us:

Phone       
773.336.6086

E-mail
ntjn@heartlandalliance.org

Address                        
National Transitional Jobs Network
in c/o Heartland Alliance   
4411 N. Ravenswood         
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60640                         

The National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) is coordinated by Melissa Young with policy and communications support from Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights.

Melissa Young, National Transitional Jobs Network Coordinator
Phone | 773.336-6086
Fax | 773.506.6649
myoung@heartlandalliance.org

Melissa has been the Coordinator of the National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) at Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights since 2005. Melissa’s work includes managing the Network's technical assistance efforts in order to strengthen existing and emerging programs, translating lessons learned at local levels into federal policy, and managing the development of Network communications and marketing materials for diverse audiences. In this role she has worked to advance the visibility of the NTJN as a national expert in Transitional Jobs in order to further support the development and implementation the Transitional Jobs strategy for persons with barriers to employment. Melissa’s previous work at the Mid-America Institute on Poverty of Heartland Alliance focused on youth poverty, income supports, and an analysis of Illinois' appropriations and funding streams for youth programs. She received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her M.A. from the University of Chicago.

Danielle Riley, National Transitional Jobs Network, Policy Associate
Phone | 773.336.6282
Fax | 773.506.6649
maipassociate3@heartlandalliance.org

Danielle comes to NTJN as a second year MSW candidate from Dominican University’s Graduate School of Social Work. Danielle has previous experience with Connect to Protect Chicago®, an HIV/AIDS intervention and prevention project operating out of the John Stroger, Jr. Hospital’s Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, the Cook County Juvenile Center in the Clinical Interventions Division of Probation where she carried a caseload of clients and co-led a 13-week job readiness program, and as a receptionist in the Office of Registration and Records at Loyola University Chicago. Danielle’s area of interest is reentry policy, particularly the workforce and supportive services components for formerly incarcerated persons.

Maureen Ryan, National Transitional Jobs Network, Policy Associate
Phone | 773.336.6087
Fax | 773.506.6649
maipassociate4@heartlandalliance.org

Maureen joins the NTJN as a second year MSW candidate from the Jane Addams College of Social work at the University of Illinois Chicago. In the past she has worked as a case manager at the Marjorie Kovler Center, as a medical social worker at Mercy Homecare and Hospice, and as a staff assistant for Senator Tom Harkin.  Maureen aids the NTJN by providing content for the monthly newsletter and lending support for ongoing projects.

Michelle Wilczynski, National Transitional Jobs Network, Policy Associate
Phone | 773.336.6038
Fax | 773.506.6649
maipassociate6@heartlandalliance.org

Michelle comes to NTJN as a second year MA candidate at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration.  She has previous experience working with foster children in the Chicago area, and her research has focused on meeting the needs of young adults emancipating from DCFS. Michelle assists the NTJN on multiple projects, including the monthly newsletter, regular updates to the NTJN website, and other communications material. She is working to help the NTJN expand its policy presence in advocating for legislation that impacts TJ populations.

Amy Rynell, Director of the Mid-America Institute on Poverty (MAIP)
Phone | 773.336.6074
Fax | 773.506.6649
arynell@heartlandalliance.org

Amy Rynell has served as Director of the Mid-America Institute on Poverty of Heartland Alliance since 1997. Amy currently oversees the Institute's poverty and policy related-research, directs the National Transitional Jobs Network, and coordinates the Regional Roundtable on Homelessness. In addition, she manages and serves as media spokesperson for the Illinois Poverty Summit, a project that blends research with policy in order to raise awareness of poverty issues with elected officials and groups throughout Illinois. Currently Amy serves as co-chair of Grantmakers Concerned with Poverty for the Donors Forum of Chicago, and serves as a guest lecturer on social issues in classes at Universities across the city. She received her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and her M.A. from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration.