Tatiana Calhamer

Tatiana "Tish" Calhamer, MLIS, was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic to a Dominican mother and a German-American father. Thanks to her mother, she is fluent in Spanish. It is a miracle she also speaks English, as her father was not a big talker. From an early age, Tish was a huge reader, reading everything from “Little House on the Prairie,” to books about owls, astronomy, and Susan B. Anthony. She grew up in La Grange Park, IL, where she attended Lyons Township High School, graduating in 1986. Tish then went on to the U of I/Urbana-Champaign, where she spent 7 years earning two useless degrees in music, before finally earning her Masters in Library & Information Science in 1993. She was promptly employed by the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and has remained there ever since. (Her student loans are paid off.) Currently she is the Director of Community Engagement, encouraging people to become engaged in community and civic life through literacy and library services. Tish has resided on the east side of Elgin for 27 years. (Her mortgage is paid off.) She enjoys cooking, reading, and knitting, under feline supervision.

Tish is proud of the exemplary work FSA does to support some of the most vulnerable people in our community, helping to strengthen families, relationships, and individuals. She is also proud to serve on the FSA board, supporting and encouraging FSA staff in their mission. Mental health is one of the top health concerns in our county and country today, and of personal interest to Tish. She has suffered from depression and anxiety over the years and has several friends who have similar issues. Tish's own mission is to educate people about mental illness to remove the shame and stigma associated with it, so that everyone who is affected can receive treatment and support in a caring, accepting environment. Tish has resided on the east side of Elgin for 27 years. (Her mortgage is paid off.) She enjoys cooking, reading, and knitting, under feline supervision.