Our Team
Our team is a reflection of the strength and resilience of our community. We are a worker-led organization with a growing team of 40 community leaders organized by a leadership team that has fueled Chicago’s worker center movement.
For over 25 years, our unique approach has been to identify workers who have positively impacted their communities to grow to be the staff and leadership of our organization.
We live in the same communities we serve, speak the same languages as our neighbors, and have worked in many of the workplaces where we build power. Our ties to the people we serve means that we always go the extra mile to deliver justice and equity.
Our Leadership
José Frausto
Executive Director
As the current Executive Director, José has over 20 years of experience in popular education, organizing, and advocacy work. José served as President of AFSCME Local 2992 for 2 years. The most precarious job José ever held was working as a temp at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago.
Tim Bell
Programs Manager
As the Programs Manager, Bell has been with the organization from the beginning. He helped found CWC in 2003, where he has since worked as Executive Director, Organizer Director & Grants Manager. Previously, he worked for 10 years as the Adult Education Director at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago. The most precarious job he worked was as a carpet cleaner.
Silvia Hernández
Human Resources Manager
Silvia joined CWC in 2023, with 27 years of extensive experience in the non-profit sector, specifically in Administration, Accounting, and Management, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. She strives to contribute positively to our community on the daily. Silvia loves participating in 3K and 5K races and you will always spot her near coffee.
Jaime I. Medina
Director of Operations
The Director of Operations has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector managing information systems and coordinating community engagement and education programs for immigrant workers. The most precarious job Jaime ever held was bussing tables at a restaurant.
Mayra Garduño
Community Resources Manager
Our Community Resources Manager has more than 17 years of experience working in non-profits serving low-income families as a case worker, Health Services Assistant, family advocate, group instructor with different entities such as: CFCM (Chicago Family Case Management) Head Start and Early Head Start, DCFS, etc. The most precarious role Mayra’s held was a temporary staffing agency worker.
Ambrosio Martínez
Immigration Legal Service Program Manager
Ambrosio Martínez has over 14 years of experience working in the non-for-profit immigration field. He was granted DOJ Partial Accreditation in 2013. He obtained his masters degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois in 1994. He has extensive experience conducting Citizenship, DACA and TPS workshops. He is a first-generation immigrant who worked in factories and odd jobs before going to college and getting his degree.
Rosalia Tenorio
Community and Worker Organizing Manager
Rosalia Tenorio, an immigrant from Mexico who has lived in Waukegan for 27 years, started as a low-wage worker facing job discrimination and has become a key staff member at CWC after joining CWC's know-your-rights workshops. She now leads our organizing and advocacy efforts embodying CWC's mission of community-driven leadership.