Rush University Medical Center, Social Work and Community Health

Theo grew up next to a cornfield in central Illinois but found a love for cities and has lived in Chicago since 2014. They came to the professional social sector after years of volunteering, from peer tutoring in high school to over 100 community projects during college to helping LGBTQ+ older adults use technology. After working in informal education and nonprofit administration - including two years of Americorps service - Theo pursued a Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago focused on mental health and healing from interpersonal violence. They are currently doing clinical social work at Rush University Medical Center in collaboration with a diverse team of community health workers. 

Theo identifies as a "jack-of-many-trades" professionally and personally. Recently, they have been enjoying birding, camping, kayaking, and vegetarian cooking. Theo is excited about participating in this fellowship to support their sustainability in both personal and professional commitments to social justice and to uplift fellow people who bring lived experience with oppression and interpersonal trauma to their social impact work.