Our Mission
To Provide financial support for under-resourced youth football players so they can experience teamwork, dedication, and leadership.
Our Team
We are an energetic and devoted group of community members with a shared love of football, looking to strengthen and support kids in Highland Park, Highwood and Fort Sheridan.
Our History
As the cost for youth football has increased to ensure safety and proper oversight, we saw a need to provide support to young athletes with a passion to play and develop, but unable to fully afford the fees.
Board Of Directors
Officers:
Co-Chairman - Pablo Alvarez
Co-Chairman - Julie Williams
Secretary - Amy Bloom
Treasurer - Eric Ephraim
Co-Chairman - Julie Williams
Secretary - Amy Bloom
Treasurer - Eric Ephraim
Pablo Alvarez works as a school counselor at Highland Park High School and has been an educator for over twenty years and enjoys working with youth during their formative years. He is involved with the school in many capacities including working in the school's Drop In Center leading counseling groups, coaching the chess team and advocacy work with first-generation and Spanish-speaking families. He desires for students to actively participate in athletics and activities that provide healthy physical and social outlets for teens during a critical time in their lives. Outside of school, he is deeply involved in the community and currently serves as a trustee for Moraine Township. In this capacity, he works with township trustees and staff to ensure that our residents in need are adequately served particularly in the area of food insecurity. Pablo lives in Highland Park with his wife Sofia and two daughters who attend Highland Park High School and Northwood Junior High School.
Amy Bloom has been a resident of Highland Park since 2002, raising her children and getting involved in the community. She is an information technology professional and has brought her technical and project management skills to PTO boards at Edgewood Middle school, Braeside Elementary School and Ravinia Nursery School. She has experience as Secretary, Treasurer and Fundraising Chair. Amy has adopted the love of football from her husband and three boys and has enjoyed the sidelines at HPHS Soccer, Tennis, Cross Country, Track, Lacrosse, Basketball and Football games. Her boys are Benjamin HPHS ‘17, Jared HPHS’19 and Evan HPHS ‘22.
Eric Ephraim is President/COO of First Bank of Highland Park. In the community, Eric has previously served as President of the Board of Education of North Shore School District 112. He currently serves in various leadership roles with local nonprofits including the Highland Park Community Foundation, the 112 Education Foundation, Rotary Club of Highland Park/Highwood, and previously served both Family Focus and Community Family Center. Eric spent many seasons coaching youth tackle football, baseball, and soccer. He grew up in Highland Park and graduated from Highland Park High School earning a varsity letter in football. Eric and his wife Kim reside in Highland Park with their two sons. Jake HPHS ‘19 lettered in varsity basketball and Ben HPHS ‘22 is a member of the varsity football team.
Barbara Finfer works as a physical therapist and athletic trainer who specializes in elderly care and improving her patients’ quality of life. She is a Highland Park native who resides here with her husband, Raymond, and her kids, Emma, Jack, Joey and David. Her three sons (Jack ‘18, Joey ‘20, and David ‘24) are all members of the Highland Park football team. Barbara has lent her expertise to various leadership roles including the Falcons Hockey Association Board of Directors, the Board of the Highland Park ‘Giants Club,’ and the Board of the Parent Teacher Organization of Solomon Schecter Day School. She serves as the Highland Park Football event coordinator, in charge of all fundraising and she served as the team manager for her children’s sports including hockey, football, baseball, and skiing. She is also the tennis coach at Rochelle Zell Jewish High School.
Elliot Richardson and his family have been deeply engaged in the Highland Park community for years. Elliot has coached football, baseball and basketball. Elliot’s wife Sherri was an Executive Board member for both Edgewood and Braeside schools. Elliot is a partner with the firm Korey Richardson and the President and Co-Founder of the Small Business Advocacy Council. Elliot has also been engaged in other non-profit organizations, including serving as Board Chair of Kids Above All. Elliot believes that youth sports provides so many benefits to children. Along with the activity provided by youth sports, children learn essential communication and leadership skills that can foster success later in a youth athlete’s life.
Julie Williams came to Highland Park in 2015 and immediately began building friendships through sports, HPHS orchestra and her church. Julie is a sales executive for Alight Solutions, where she has worked for 26 yrs and held many roles building her project management, leadership and relationship skills. While building her career, Julie has made time to get involved in her kids’ schools and interests through volunteering in the classroom, supporting various PTOs, cheering on many games, matches, tournaments over her kids’ athletic lives and finding many ways to get involved in her church families. Julie is also the HPHS football and HPHS wrestling “mom”. In the “mom” role, Julie is responsible for supporting both programs, coaches and athletes, with communication as well as planning special events. Julie and her husband, Court, have 2 kids, Maggie HPHS ’18 and Joe HPHS ’22, a member of the varsity football and varsity wrestling teams.
Giants Football Fund | C/O First Bank of Highland Park | 1835 First Street | Highland Park, IL 60035 | info@giantsfootballfund.org | EIN 85-0923111
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