April Curtis, MSW ’21: Recognized as an Unsung Heroine in Cook County

April Curtis, MSW ’21, has been honored with the prestigious Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroines Award by Cook County. This annual recognition is given to 18 remarkable women—one from each district of Cook County and one countywide—who have made significant contributions to their communities, families, and professional fields. As part of the county’s Women’s History Month celebrations, this award highlights the ongoing impact women have had, and continue to have, on social, cultural, economic, and political institutions.

April currently serves as the chief of staff at Youth Guidance, where she focuses on critical issues like juvenile justice and violence reduction. Drawing on her personal experience in the Illinois Child Welfare system, she passionately advocates for youth and families, helping them to solve problems, advocate for themselves, and improve their lives.

In addition to receiving the Unsung Heroines Award, April was recently published in Crain’s Chicago Business. In her opinion piece, “Commentary: Economic and social disparities should not be reasons to separate families,” she advocates for kinship care, stressing the importance of children in the welfare system maintaining connections with relatives. April also calls for community-based prevention programs that address the root causes of child maltreatment, such as poverty, substance abuse, and mental health issues. She believes in initiatives that promote parent advocacy and leadership, further demonstrating her commitment to the well-being of families and communities.