Who We Are
Who We Are
Family Bridges strengthens bridges between people: couples, children and parents, and families with their community. We empower people, equip leaders and encourage hope.
Mission
End the cycle of family trauma through innovative programs that empower, equip and encourage underserved communities.
Vision
Resilient communities where flourishing families raise purpose-driven children
Brand Story
While working as a licensed clinical psychologist and working with Latino parents, couples and children, Dr. Alicia La Hoz witnessed the pain experienced by children growing up in high-conflict homes. Wanting to end the cycle of trauma, she founded Family Bridges/Lazos de Familia, a mission-driven organization that empowers limited-resource families with tools to combat trauma, mental illness and poverty.
What began as a small group of community leaders meeting in church basements and serving a handful of families, has evolved into an international group of community champions impacting millions around the world.
Today, Family Bridges is a big family of community champions, teachers, counselors and creatives. We empower people through interactive, culturally-relevant workshops and events. There they learn skills to strengthen their relationships at home, at work and in the community. We equip leaders with curricula to build stronger communities and develop a positive environment to raise children. We encourage a culture of hope through stories delivered online and on stage.
Get to Know Us
Since 2006, we have served over 161,000 individuals, couples and students. In a two-year follow up survey of participants completing our programs:
-
161,000
Served Since 2006
-
94%
Couples Remain Married
-
2/3
No Longer on Public Aid
We empower people to:
- Have healthy marriages, relationships and families
- Practice ongoing healthy conflict resolution and communication skills
- Improve their economic mobility
We equip leaders to:
- Strengthen and sustain healthy relationships and families in their communities
We encourage hope by:
- Developing new, culturally appropriate resources to help individuals prepare for, build, restore and maintain healthy relationships
- Developing and promoting edutainment resources for the latino community
We apply our 15+ years of experience to improve the lives of the families in our communities. Through this work, we are proud to share some of the accolades we’ve earned to help establish Family Bridges as a leader in marriage and family.
- Chicago Latino Network's Latina Professional Award Winner (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Chicago Tribune Remarkable Woman (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Creativity Bronze Award Winners
- Midwest Emmy Nominees
- Reflejos Reflecting Excellence Winner (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Telly Award Winners (3 times)
- The Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Chamber’s Impact Leadership Award (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Women of Distinction West Suburban Life Magazine (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
Family Bridges Board of Directors consists of highly dedicated individuals representing our diverse community with various professional backgrounds including executives, financial professionals, business consultants, business owners and community leaders. The committed members of our board of directors assist with governance, fundraising efforts, and the overall guidance of Family Bridges.
- Alicia La Hoz, Psy.D., Family Bridges (Ex officio)
- Susy Francis Best, PsyD, MBA, Thrive Group International (Board Chair)
- Gary Kinnaman
- Jorge Davila, Superación Familiar
- Nate Dickman
- Nancy Brown, Meier Clinics
- Neidy Hornsby, Trademark Attorney for Women Entrepreneurs
- Norma Zambrano, Ex Director John Maxwell Team
- Regina Madigan, Zimmer Biomet
- Rick Rivero, Connections Marketing
Annual & Financial Reports:
Based on early results of our longitudinal study, our AVANCE program is succeeding in its goal of strengthening the health and vitality of participating families and congregations by creating an ecosystem of lay-led marriage and family support within the parish.
See more outcomes here.
Family Bridges/Lazos de Familia was recently awarded $200,000 of grant funding by The Allstate Foundation to support the Wise Up Girl program in Phoenix, Arizona.
January 11, 2022
We empower people to:
- Have healthy marriages, relationships and families
- Practice ongoing healthy conflict resolution and communication skills
- Improve their economic mobility
We equip leaders to:
- Strengthen and sustain healthy relationships and families in their communities
We apply our 15+ years of experience to improve the lives of the families in our communities. Through this work, we are proud to share some of the accolades we’ve earned to help establish Family Bridges as a leader in marriage and family.
- Chicago Latino Network's Latina Professional Award Winner (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Chicago Tribune Remarkable Woman (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Creativity Bronze Award Winners
- Midwest Emmy Nominees
- Reflejos Reflecting Excellence Winner (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Telly Award Winners (3 times)
- The Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce Chamber’s Impact Leadership Award (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
- Women of Distinction West Suburban Life Magazine (Dr. Alicia La Hoz)
Family Bridges Board of Directors consists of highly dedicated individuals representing our diverse community with various professional backgrounds including executives, financial professionals, business consultants, business owners and community leaders. The committed members of our board of directors assist with governance, fundraising efforts, and the overall guidance of Family Bridges.
- Alicia La Hoz, Psy.D., Family Bridges (Ex officio)
- Susy Francis Best, PsyD, MBA, Thrive Group International (Board Chair)
- Gary Kinnaman
- Jorge Davila, Superación Familiar
- Nate Dickman
- Nancy Brown, Meier Clinics
- Neidy Hornsby, Trademark Attorney for Women Entrepreneurs
- Norma Zambrano, Ex Director John Maxwell Team
- Regina Madigan, Zimmer Biomet
- Rick Rivero, Connections Marketing
Annual & Financial Reports:
Based on early results of our longitudinal study, our AVANCE program is succeeding in its goal of strengthening the health and vitality of participating families and congregations by creating an ecosystem of lay-led marriage and family support within the parish.
See more outcomes here.
Family Bridges/Lazos de Familia was recently awarded $200,000 of grant funding by The Allstate Foundation to support the Wise Up Girl program in Phoenix, Arizona.
January 11, 2022
Success Stories
Our Team
Our staff works tirelessly to strengthen and expand the outreach of Family Bridges. Meet the faces behind our community programs and creative initiatives here!
Alicia La Hoz, Psy.D.
FOUNDER & CEO
Dr. Alicia La Hoz is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Founder, and Executive Director of Family Bridges. Dr. La Hoz works with the Latino community in the Chicagoland area, where she leads her team in developing and coordinating Family Bridges comprehensive marriage and relationship programs. Away from the office, she spends her time with her two inquisitive children and devoted husband, exploring nature, visiting museums, and building lego-masterpieces.
