Galen’s volunteer community service has included:

President, Benton Park West Neighborhood Association
Board Member, Red Brick Community Land Trust
Co-chair, South City Cluster Sustainable
Neighborhood Committee
Block Captain, Operation Brightside
Block Link, Benton Park West Neighborhood Association

Galen's local recognition and awards:

Riverfront Times Best Citizen, 2006
Riverfront Times Best Concept to Boost Civic Pride, 2002
South Side Day Nursery Local Hero Award, 2006
South Side Day Nursery Annual Meeting
Keynote Speaker, 2005
Benton Park West Neighborhood Association
Service Ward, 2005

Galen's education includes:

University of Illinois, Communication;
Urban and Regional Planning
Institute of Community Inclusion, Boston, Mass.
Management and Community Development Institute,
Tufts University
Newberry Library/Northwestern University, Chicago

Galen's professional experience:

Over 15 years of non-profit community development experience in Chicago, Boston, Washington DC and
St. Louis. Employed for 5 years with local non-profit organization Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation, assisting first-time homeowners and small business owners realize their dreams.