Executive director accused of harassment
From staff reports
The local nonprofit service community was jolted when nearly $300,000 in mental health funds was withdrawn by a Lyons Township agency from the Western Springs LeaderShop, a social service agency that has provided youth programs for nearly 40 years.
The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission is one of the largest funders of the LeaderShop and has provided millions of dollars for the organization for nearly four decades. The majority of that time, Alan Morales has served as the executive director of the LeaderShop.
According to multiple sources and documents obtained by the Desplaines Valley News, Morales has been accused of inappropriately harassing several female employees of the Mental Health Commission at a holiday party in December. The incident appeared to have raised significant concerns about the governance and leadership within the LeaderShop organization.
In documents obtained by Freedom of Information requests from the Mental Health Commission, Linn Meyer, the chairperson of the now defunded LeaderShop, wrote in an email on April 18, in reference to the alleged harassment of the female employees, an “unfortunate event that occurred at … a holiday party.” Later in the email, Meyer admits that “the (executive director) has not completely incorporated the kind of interpersonal boundaries expected by professional women in today’s workplace …”
In a decisive move at its May meeting, the Mental Health Commission decided by a unanimous vote that it would no longer provide funds to the LeaderShop.
A letter from the commission’s attorney, Brian Miller, cited “concerns over the toxic and dysfunctional environment” and expressed alarm over executive director Morales’ “very bad boundaries and judgment.”
Mental Health Commission President Elyse Hoffenberg said in a statement, “The united vote of the mental health board members was a clear indication of the feeling of the Mental Health Commission. We cannot in good conscience continue to support an organization that does not take serious steps to address such grave allegations and ensure a safe and respectful organization.”
The sudden loss of funding has already had ramifications with several layoffs occurring at the LeaderShop, while Director Morales continues to be employed.
In an email to the LaGrange Kiwanis Club, of which he is a member, Morales gave the club notice that he would be leaving his position as executive director of the LeaderShop at some time in the future but noted that layoffs would occur.
Community members and stakeholders have expressed a mixture of outrage and disappointment. Several LeaderShop alumni, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that “It’s heartbreaking to see an organization that has done so much good for our community brought down by such serious issues.”
An email obtained from the alumni group has asked for former LeaderShop participants to submit any information related to Morales’ behavior and any examples of poor management of the LeaderShop.
The LeaderShop alumni group is believed to be planning to attend an upcoming meeting of the LeaderShop Board. The next board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 27.