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Who We Are

ABOUT CAAEL

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

This important programming:

Gives at-risk/special education students at alternative schools the opportunity to practice working in teams and cooperating with others, while motivating students 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

LEARN HOW WE HELP
DOWNLOAD OUR PRINTABLE BROCHURE

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.

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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.

LEARN MORE
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.

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CAAEL is at Max McCook Athletic & Exposition.

1 week ago

CAAEL
Another great week of CAAEL Academic Bowls! We are so incredibly grateful to Max McCook Athletic & Exposition for being the most amazing partners. The students absolutely love coming to the Max for some friendly competition, pizza, drinks and dessert! And they all met behavioral, academic and attendance criteria to get here, thank you to everyone at the Max for being a part of motivating our awesome students! 🧡 … See MoreSee Less

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CAAEL

1 week ago

CAAEL
Toasting to NBC Sports Chicago tonight! What an incredible 20 year run they had…we are honored and so very grateful for all of the air time given to us throughout the years as Comcast SportsNet. They helped CAAEL get back on the ‘media map’ after a long break and our students could not have been more excited about it. Our students were not only trying to meet eligibility criteria to get to the CAAEL games each week, they were also motivated by the fact that they might get on TV! What a powerful way to help show the wider public all of the positive choices our students were making each day. Best wishes to everyone at the station, we will never forget how much love you showed us. 💙 #bettertogether #CAAELChicago Sports Networkwww.sportsvideo.org/2024/09/27/as-nbc-sports-chicago-prepares-to-sign-off-for-the-final-time-here… … 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.

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CONTACT

Contact CAAEL to learn more, see how you can become involved, and help us with our mission.

CAAEL
PO Box 602
La Grange, IL 60525-0602
Phone: 708-771-2042

QUICK LINKS

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CAAEL is at Max McCook Athletic & Exposition.

1 week ago

CAAEL
Another great week of CAAEL Academic Bowls! We are so incredibly grateful to Max McCook Athletic & Exposition for being the most amazing partners. The students absolutely love coming to the Max for some friendly competition, pizza, drinks and dessert! And they all met behavioral, academic and attendance criteria to get here, thank you to everyone at the Max for being a part of motivating our awesome students! 🧡 … See MoreSee Less

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© CAAEL 2024