Who We Are

ABOUT CAAEL

Since 1976, the Chicagoland Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) has enabled alternative schools to provide high-quality interscholastic athletic and academic programming to a wide range of students of different ages, abilities, challenges, and backgrounds. 

This important programming:

Gives alternative school students the opportunity to practice working in teams and cooperating with others, while motivating them to attend school and actively participate in their classwork

Provides alternative school educators with innovative and therapeutic programming that teaches the skills to be both successful students and productive citizens

MEET THE TEAM

John, who passed away in May of 2017, founded CAAEL in 1976. For over 40 years he grew it into the impactful organization that it is today. Licensed as a teacher, principal, and administrator, John dedicated his life to kids. In addition to CAAEL, John left behind his two daughters, Sarah and Katie and five wonderful grandchildren.

John Martin

Founder

Sarah Lorenzi is the President/CEO of CAAEL. She has a Master's Degree in education and was a teacher for 13 years in Oak Park,IL before leaving to run CAAEL alongside her father six years ago. After her father's passing, she feels so fortunate that she is able to carry on his beautiful legacy and keep CAAEL running and growing strong.

Sarah (Martin) Lorenzi

President and CEO

Katie Trendel is part of CAAEL's Administration. She has been attending CAAEL events since she was a toddler alongside her father, John Martin. Katie began working full time for CAAEL in 2018 when she left her job as the Sports Director at the Pav YMCA in Berwyn, IL. She is inspired by the huge impact CAAEL has on so many students, day in and day out, creating an all-inclusive place where they can be themselves and shine.

Katie (Martin) Trendel

Program Administrator

Jim LoGiurato is the Program Director of CAAEL. He has been involved with CAAEL since 1981 as a coach, board member and employee. What inspires him most about CAAEL is seeing the students playing or participating in a CAAEL event and enjoying the activity like every other kid, and not having to think about their struggles or challenges.

Jim LoGiurato

Program Director

CAAEL LEADERSHIP

CAAEL’s biggest
driving force

The most integral piece of the CAAEL team — and our biggest driving force — is the compassionate, dedicated, hard-working teachers, students, coaches, administrators and families who use CAAEL every day.

It is also the thousands of volunteers who offer their spirit, energy, and time to make CAAEL the success story that it is.

CAAEL’s biggest
driving force

The most integral piece of the CAAEL team — and our biggest driving force — is the compassionate, dedicated, hard-working teachers, students, coaches, administrators and families who use CAAEL every day.

It is also the thousands of volunteers who offer their spirit, energy, and time to make CAAEL the success story that it is.

PHOTO OF CAAEL PRESIDENT AND STUDENT HOLDING AN AWARD INSIDE A SCHOOL

CAAEL in the media

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NBC Sports Chicago

CBS 2

comcast Sportsnet

Follow CAAEL on Facebook

Check out our Facebook feed for current CAAEL news and upcoming events.

1 week ago

CAAEL
The countdown is ON for our 44th Annual State Basketball Tournament and Art Show in Arlington Heights, happening on February 22-23! 🏀🎨Check out the excitement as one of our schools celebrates their student athletes—the pep rally highlights are a blast! 🙌 And how cute are the younger students filling out their CAAEL autograph books with their favorite athletes? 🖊️This is the only event of the year for our kids outside of school/work hours, and we need YOUR help to make it even better. 💙 Reach out to see how you can get involved and support this incredible tradition!#SupportOurStudents #StateTournament #CommunityEvent #CAAEL #ArlingtonHeights #keepitcaaelRoosevelt University Robert Morris University – Illinois Oakton College Aurora University Football AERO Special Education Cooperative Evanston Township High School (ETHS) iCan Dream Center NewHope Academy Specialized Education Services, Inc. Arlington Heights Police Department Arlington Police Department Kiwanis Club of Arlington Heights Sullivan House High School Camelot Edu West Town Academy Truman Middle College Walsh Academy Maryville Academy The Allendale Association ASPIRA Inc. of Illinois Eisenhower Cooperative Crete-Monee School District 201-U Cyd Lash Academy Excel Academy Southwest Glenbrook North High School Glenbrook South High School I-KAN Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education Joliet Township High School District 204 Little Friends LADSE Mades Johnstone Center J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 Niles Township High School District 219 Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education Peace and Education Coalition Alternative High School Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 S.E.A.L South SPEED School District 802 Delta & Summit Learning Center Timber Ridge UCAN Youth Connection Leadership Academy Youth Connection Charter School AERO Special Education Cooperative The Cove School See MoreSee Less
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SUPPORT OUR MISSION

We can do what we do because of the generous support from people like you.