About Us

We began as a small group of people from our church reaching out to our immigrant neighbors to get to know them and help them acclimate to their newest environment. We operated, informally, as St. James Meadowcreek International Community, from April 2000, through August 2002, attempting to teach English as a Second Language to adults in the community and offering academic assistance to children in Gwinnett County Public Schools who were struggling to achieve grade level and/or failing. We officially incorporated in September 2002 and became Interlocking Communities, Inc., or ICI (pronounced ICEE).

Because we are education-focused, we offer programs to the people in our community free of charge. We apply for grants from other organizations and rely on any funds granted as well as all donations received from the public to operate our programs.

We have partnered with Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) for most of the past 22 years to provide free academic assistance to its students and rising Kindergartners and their parents. We have partnered with several non-profit organizations to offer free English Language Learning classes to adults in Gwinnett and surrounding areas.

Louise Radloff

Executive Director

Louise was a Gwinnett County School Board Member for 47 years, the majority of those years spent as the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the board.

She has been our Executive Director since ICI was founded.

She is Chairman of the Board of Health and still works tirelessly with the Board of Health to facilitate cooperation and assistance between education, and mental and public health.

Shari Simmons

President

Shari is a business professional who retired after more than 42 years of service and has presided over our board since ICI was founded.

She works in partnership with Gwinnett County Public Schools and other community organizations to provide our free services to Gwinnett County and surrounding areas.

Kathy Marks

Secretary/Treasurer

Kathy taught elementary students as well as teachers in the field for Gwinnett County Public Schools for 12 years, specializing in gifted education.

She is currently a Student Success Specialist at Gwinnett Technical College, helping students navigate college from application to graduation.

Kathy has worked with ICI for over 20 years as a volunteer, employee, and a Board member.

Julie Crosby

Board Member

Julie has been on ICI's board for several years. She is pastor of two Latino communities, Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville, GA and Iglesia Luterana de Cristo in Oakwood Ga.

She is from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She practiced law in Puerto Rico for 15 years, and since 2006 has lived in Georgia. She is also a board member of Four Corners Primary Care, a federally qualified health clinic.

She has three grown children and three grandkids, including a college student who lives with her.

Julie says, "I work with ICI because this non-profit seeks to serve people and families that have been overlooked. ICI cares."

LIsa Richardson

Board Member

Lisa Richardson was born in South Carolina and graduated from the University of South Carolina with her BA in Journalism/Public Relations. She also earned her MA in Counseling from Webster University.

Her first job in education was at the Yorktowne Business Institute (York, PA). Later, she worked at Nash Community College (Rocky Mount, NC) and Harrisburg Area Community College (Harrisburg, PA) as the Coordinator of Adult Education and ESL services, and at the Laurens County Literacy Council (Laurens, SC) as the Workplace Literacy Coordinator.

Mrs. Richardson has worked for over 21 years for Gwinnett Technical College (Lawrenceville, GA). Currently, she is the Director of Special Populations and Title IX.