Catholic Charities dinner continues a tradition of helping families in need
Catholic Charities' 26th Annual Hearts for Homeless Families Dinner and Auction will return to the historic Chevy Chase Country Club at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, for an evening of "Dancing Through the Ages" featuring the Stu Hirsh Orchestra, one of Chicago's premier dance bands. There will be great food and beverages and fantastic silent and live auctions. Proceeds benefit the New Hope Apartments Program for homeless families.
Catholic Charities New Hope Apartments Program provides housing for homeless families with children under the age of 18, along with the counseling and support needed to help them become self-sufficient. The program consists of 18 apartments in the Northwest suburbs and nearly 140 apartments throughout Cook and Lake counties. The Northwest suburban apartments house more than 60 formerly homeless people, including parents and children, in several suburbs.
Reservations are $140 per person or $1,300 for a table of 10. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For details, contact Mike Waters at (847) 376-2118, or mwaters@catholiccharities.net; or visit www.catholiccharities.net/Hearts.
The Chevy Chase Country Club is at 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.
Here's what Sheila Haennicke, assistant director of communications for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, had to say about the organization and their upcoming event:
Q: Can you give us a general overview of what Catholic Charities does?
A: Catholic Charities is one of the largest human service agencies in the Midwest, annually serving more than one million people in Cook and Lake counties regardless of religious affiliation. We have more than 150 programs at more than 160 locations. Our services run the gamut from maternity and adoption to caring for fragile elders in their last phase of life. Nutrition, housing, counseling, emergency assistance and child development are primary service areas. We have more than 3,000 employees and are assisted by 15,000 volunteers.
Catholic Charities' Northwest Regional office in Des Plaines has a food pantry and clothing room; provides utility help, rental assistance and counseling programs that address many needs; and offers hot, nutritious meals every Tuesday and Thursday evening. The Des Plaines office feeds and clothes more than 40,000 people a year, and distributes about 250,000 meals annually.
This Hearts for Homeless Families event benefits Catholic Charities' programs serving homeless families, including our New Hope Apartments program, and our Northwest Regional Services. The New Hope program provides housing for homeless families with children in the Northwest suburbs, and the counseling and support needed to help them become self-sufficient.
Q: How long has Catholic Charities been active? How was the organization founded?
A: We were founded in 1917 by a group of prominent Catholic businessmen who developed a plan to unite all the Catholic Charitable institutions in the Archdiocese. The plan was approved by the Archbishop of Chicago at that time, the Most Rev. George W. Mundelein. Over the past century we have evolved to meet the needs of a changing society.
Q: What does the New Hope Apartments Program do to help homeless families?
A: New Hope provides stable, subsidized housing for up to two years as a family moves from homelessness to self-sufficiency. New Hope participants work with staff to create workable budgets and savings plans, while setting educational and employment goals. We want our New Hope families to leave the program with new skills and a nest egg. New Hope apartments are not institutional; they are found in stand-alone apartment buildings and complexes located in neighborhoods.
Q: What are some of your other programs?
A: Other programs that New Hope clients might benefit from are Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Department that provides food, clothing and limited cash assistance. The Emergency Assistance Department also provides screening for public benefits like Medicaid and SNAP (formerly Food Stamps).
Q) Do you have to be Catholic to benefit from Catholic Charities' programs?
A) Absolutely not! We serve (and employ) everyone, regardless of faith. We don't help people because they are Catholic, we help them because of our Catholic agency's tradition of social justice.
Q: How does someone qualify for the program? How does the organization find people to help?
A: A family must be homeless; meaning their living situation is not stable. Some New Hope families come from shelters, others from relative's homes that can no longer support them.
Q: Tell us the story of someone who was helped by New Hope.
A: "S." was a participant in our New Hope program a few years ago. She and her three children were housed in a suburban community with good public schools and access to resources. While dealing with the trauma of a do-it-yourself divorce, "S." worked with New Hope staff to further her earning potential, while helping her children to succeed in school and enjoy activities in the community.
Q) What is the Hearts for Homeless Families dinner-dance usually like?
A) Lively and fun! The live band is popular and plays a wide range of danceable selections. The venue is classic and elegant the food delicious, and the drinks are plentiful! Silent and live auctions add excitement.
Q: What do you see as the draw of the event?
A: It's a great opportunity to dress up, get out and dine and dance for a good cause. The Stu Hirsch Orchestra is one of Chicago's premier dance bands.
Q: Is there anything new or different about this year's event compared to previous years?
A: Every year improves, with new and different auction items; different honorees, and client testimonials.
Q: How many people attended last year and how much did you raise?
A: More than $61,000 was raised in 2014; about 200 people attended.
Q: How can people who are unable to attend the event help out?
A: Donations are always welcome, from food and clothing to volunteer hours to monetary assistance. Monetary donations can be made at www.catholiccharities.net/hearts.
Q: How much of Catholic Charities' fundraising comes from this event? What are your other major events?
A: Catholic Charities has more than 30 fundraisers each year whose proceeds provide critical support for our programs, particularly those that are not supported by government contracts or grants. In FY 14 our fundraising events netted $3.29 million. Our overall fundraising efforts include appeals, bequests, foundation and corporate gifts, amounting to more than $21 million annually. This is roughly 10 percent of our total operating budget.
If you go
What: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago's 26th Annual Hearts for Homeless Families Dinner and Auction
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
Where: Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling
Cost: $140 per person or $1,300 for a table of 10. Proceeds benefit Catholic Charities' New Hope Apartments Program
Details: (847) 376-2118, mwaters@catholiccharities.net, or <a href="http://www.catholiccharities.net/Hearts">www.catholiccharities.net/Hearts</a>.