Home of the Sparrow fundraising gala celebrates 35 years of helping homeless women and children
Home of the Sparrow in McHenry has been working for the last 35 years to give women who have found themselves homeless a chance to improve their lives by offering a hand up.
The nonprofit organization gives these women and their children a place to stay, life skills to improve their circumstances and behavioral health resources to help with whatever trauma they have endured.
According to the group's website, hosparrow.org, programs include a transitional shelter that can house up to 42 individuals per night; a subsidized apartment program that can serve three families for up to a year; an affordable housing program that offers 25 subsidized apartment units; and a rapid rehousing program that can help 12 families get into permanent housing within the community.
To raise funds to make sure these programs continue to serve homeless women and children, Home of the Sparrow will host its 35th Anniversary Gala May 21 at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills.
Panouly Moua, marketing and development coordinator for Home of the Sparrow talks more about the organization and the upcoming gala.
Q: What is Home of the Sparrow? Give a brief overview of what the organization does and who you serve.
A: Home of the Sparrow is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in its 35th year of providing services to homeless women and children.
Home of the Sparrow provides a transitional shelter, a three unit subsidized housing program, 25 units of affordable housing, and rental assistance programs, all combined with case management and employment assistance.
The organization served 378 individuals in 2021 and touched the lives of more than 1,400 individuals. The organization utilizes over 1,000 volunteers yearly.
Additionally, HOS operates seven total thrift stores - six under the banner of Sparrow's Nest Thrift Stores with locations in Cary, Mundelein, McHenry, Third Lake, Palatine, and Woodstock; and one under the banner of Community Threads in Arlington Heights. Profits from the thrift stores are invested back into HOS's programs to support the women and children they help.
Q: Where do the majority of your donations come from?
A: HOS uses a diverse funding strategy that includes private contributions; grants from government and private foundations; profits from special fundraising events and third-party fundraisers; and profits from seven Sparrow's Nest Thrift Stores.
The largest portion of funding comes from federal, state, and local government grants. Funds from private foundations, individual donors, and events make up a majority of the remaining budget.
Every donation matters, and HOS is grateful for all donations - no amount of kindness is ever too small.
Q: How many people per year do you serve?
A: In fiscal year 2021, HOS directly served 378 individuals within their programs and an additional 1,400 individuals through phone referrals to community resources.
Q: What are some of your programs?
A: HOS offers a short-term transitional shelter, a three-unit subsidized apartment program, 25 affordable housing units, several rental assistance programs combined with case management and supportive services like basic needs assistance, life skills classes, counseling, linkages to behavioral health resources, career and financial planning, trauma-informed job counseling, and more.
Q: Tell us about the 35th Anniversary Gala.
A: Home of the Sparrow's 35th Anniversary Gala will be held Saturday, May 21, from 5-10 p.m. at the extravagant Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills.
Come celebrate Home of the Sparrow's 35th anniversary, accomplishments, community impact, and rich history.
This is a highly anticipated event, where guests will be welcomed to explore the estate's magnificence through a self-guided tour of the mansion and collections, a carousel race, enjoy an open bar, exquisite dinner, live and silent auctions, Fund the Need, as well as other unique giving opportunities. There also will be a short program featuring the women and children your support is helping.
Funds raised from the gala will support the women and children in Home of the Sparrow's programs. Black-tie attire is preferred, so dress your best and come celebrate with Home of the Sparrow!
Q: How can people participate?
A: The deadline to register for this event is May 10. Cost is $225 per person, $425 per couple or $1,680 for a table of eight. Visit www.HOSparrow.org/35anniversarygala for details, online registration, sponsorships and more.
Q: How can readers help if they can't participate in the event?
A: If you're unable to attend, Home of the Sparrow has many other opportunities for you to get involved with the agency:
1) Make an online donation at www.HOSparrow.org/donate. Donations help fund the housing programs and supportive services for Home of the Sparrow's clients.
2) Host a fundraiser or community event to raise funds for Home of the Sparrow. Visit www.hosparrow.org/events/communityevents for details.
3) Shop at or donate gently used items to our Sparrow's Nest Thrift Stores or Community Threads. Find locations at www.hosparrow.org/sparrows-nest-thrift-stores.
Check out other ways of giving at www.hosparrow.org/how-to-help/ways-of-giving.
Q: What else would you like readers to know?
A: HOS is thankful for the support of the community over the last 35 years. Join us in celebrating the agency's mission and milestones at the 35th Anniversary Gala, or mark your calendars for the Oktoberfest Golf Outing on Sept. 12 at the Bull Valley Golf Club, Woodstock, and Celebration of Women Breakfast Oct. 4 at the Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills.
HOS also has year-round opportunities for individual and group volunteers. Learn more at www.HOSparrow.org.
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Home of the Sparrow
What: 35th Anniversary Gala
When: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, May 21; deadline to register is May 10
Where: Sanfilippo Estate, 789 Plum Tree Road, Barrington Hills
Tickets: $225 per person, $425 per couple, $1,680 for a table of eight
To register: Visit www.HOSparrow.org/35anniversarygala