Gala Raises $100,000 for youth homeless shelter and transitional housing programs

Friends of The Harbour enjoyed an evening of music and dancing at the First Annual "Lives in Bloom Gala."

The evening featured Elliot From of Art Beat Live who kicked off the evening with a display of his artistic talent.

The auction of his paintings set the tone for the remaining activities of the evening raising $100,000 for its youth homeless shelter and transitional housing services in the Northwest Suburbs.

The Harbour shared the evening with 19 sponsors and more than 150 supporters on Friday evening, April 21 at the Metropolis Ballroom, Arlington Heights.

Guests had the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, live auction run by noted auctioneer C Norman Andrews and a "Fund-a-Program" paddle raise.

The Harbour's 2017 youth honoree was Latoya Lawrence, the Beacon of Success Award Winner. Ms. Lawrence was presented the award as she embodies the success stories of the program.

She demonstrated resiliency, tenacity, and determination as she worked hard to get on her feet to provide for her 4 year old son and herself.

The Harbour presented Omron Foundation and Dan Armentrout of Omron Foundation with the 2017 Bobby Mayer Commitment to Youth Award for their collective support in maintaining the Schaumburg transitional living property in good condition and for the overall support of the Harbour youth and programs.

The Omron Team reflects the late Bobby Mayer's service to youth and social responsibility.

State of Illinois Budget Impass Heightens Importance of Gala

"Nonprofit organizations like The Harbour are the community's first line of defense when it comes to addressing suburban poverty", Simone Wheeler, 2017 Gala Event Chair and Director of Development, Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County http://www.cachelps.org.

"We continue to operate in an environment where the State of Illinois budget impass brings great financial pressure on organizations like The Harbour to sustain their high levels of service,

said Kris Salyards, Executive Director, The Harbour, based in Park Ridge.

"The incredible generosity of pro bono service, donations, and sponsorships of many area businesses and individuals enabled us to keep our costs down for the Gala while maximizing the financial outcome," Salyards said.

"These funds will keep us on track in meeting our overarching goal that our youth will be educated, employed and have the skills needed to maintain self-sufficiency."

How The Harbour Makes a Difference in Young Lives

Gala contributions go a long way in helping the young women ages 12 to 21 achieve the best possible outcomes.

This year's "Fund-A-Program highlighted the four essentials required for a successful outcome for a youth experiencing homelessness. The right environment, their home, the right resources, their staff, the right program, the curriculum and offerings, and the right plan, to detail the outcome.

"Receivables from the "Fund-A-Program" will support a young woman on a subsidized rent schedule as she saves for her discharge from the program, it provides food and house supplies to the congregate care settings, and provides financial literacy education to every girl in the program," Salyards said.

For our parenting youth, funding may provide a year of early literacy materials to promote reading and bonding for up to 16 children of youth in The Harbour's care, she added.

"These are just a few examples of the programs that our amazing benefactors supported during the Gala event," Salyards said.

"Each gift is an investment in the future of our youth. Our supporters should feel good that they changed the direction of a life, helped a young person who was lost, look up and know the path to her future."

About The Harbour: Empowering Youth, Developing Futures

Every year approximately 25,000 youth are homeless in Illinois. The Harbour provides residential services to an average of 100 youth per year and an additional 400 referrals for those we cannot serve.

Over 4,000 youth have received services since The Harbour opened its doors in 1975. As we embark on a new strategic plan, The Harbour has a vision to continue to reach into the community to serve more youth and provide them with the tools to help them achieve a stable future.

The Harbour, a 501©3 organization, provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services to youth (girls ages 12-23) who are experiencing homelessness in the north and northwest Chicago suburbs.

It is committed to offering services rooted in the belief that youth must have their basic needs met before they can begin to build a promising future for themselves.

Visit and follow The Harbour on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHarbourInc/

Contact The Harbour's headquarters located at 1440 Renaissance Drive, Suite 240, Park Ridge: (847) 297-8540. Or email: help@theharbour.org