EPCHS Alum In The Spotlight: Lauren Finnegan, Class Of 2006

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — A behavioral health specialist at the Chicago-based Metropolitan Family Services says she became interested in psychology while taking classes in the subject as a student at Evergreen Park Community High School.

Lauren Finnegan, a 2006 EPCHS alum, credits then-EPCHS psychology teacher Mr. Boersma and the 101 and AP classes she took with him.

“He seemed so happy and passionate about what he was teaching and it kept my interest and inspired me,” Finnegan said.

Mr. Boersma’s classes were indeed among Finnegan’s best memories of EPCHS, in addition to the homecoming weeks, school dances, driver’s education classes with Mr. Horn, band trips and volleyball games.

Band trips were particularly memorable, Finnegan said.

“One unforgettable experience was marching down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World and getting to play along to the soundtrack of Tarzan in the actual Disney recording studio,” she said. “We also played during halftime of the Outback Bowl.”

After graduation, Finnegan earned her bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology from Saint Xavier University, and soon later landed her first job at a non-profit called Community Services Unlimited. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in clinical mental health counseling from SXU, graduating cum laude with a 4.0 grade point average.

In 2012, Finnegan was hired as a counselor at Sertoma Centre, where she worked for more than a decade. She was promoted there several times, eventually becoming the director of clinical program services.

Now, she’s the behavioral health director at Metropolitan Family Services.
“I value that emotional wellbeing is seen as a cornerstone to thriving individuals, families and communities,” she said. “There is a systems approach to taking care of people. I also enjoy being able to focus on the quality of care and developing leaders of our field because this will ultimately help more people in need to receive the best treatment possible.”

Eventually, Finnegan said she would like to open a small coffee shop with her husband and create a place to “host live music and partner with nonprofits and mental health centers to host activities and employ people.”

“The coffee shop would have to be dog friendly and I would incorporate our dog Helga into the name or décor somehow!” she added.

Advice to current Mustang students

“I would like to tell students to always believe in themselves, stay loyal to their passions despite the outside noise and pressure, make time for the people who show they care and accept them (and support them in what they love), ride the wave when things feel crummy because ‘this too shall pass,’ be open to new and different people, thoughts, and experiences, be willing to learn, and finally, never hesitate to ask for support. These things take strength and courage to do sometimes, but will help you grow and thrive.”