Victory Celebration Recap 2022

Posted on by Karianne Canfield

We thank all the attendees and recipients who joined us on December 8th for our Annual Victory Celebration. To commemorate this event we have put together a photo gallery to share with family and friends the successes and joy we have built together this year.

This year’s winners were:

  • Honorable State Representative Will Guzzardi for his legislative advocacy supporting people experiencing homelessness in Illinois
  • Honorable State Representative Lakesia Collins for her legislative advocacy supporting the expansion of early learning opportunities for families in care
  • Start Early- Illinois Policy Team for their advocacy in expanding early learning and supportive services for families and their children
  • Commissioner Marisa Novara and Commissioner Brandie Knazze for their leadership in providing housing for households living doubled-up
  • Deb Dempsey, Kane County, Regional Office of Education, for her advocacy on behalf of students experiencing homelessness
  • Bob Palmer, of Housing Action Illinois, Les Brown Award for Excellence in Public Policy
  • Research Advisory Board Members Heartland Alliance’s Social IMPACT Research Center in recognition of the creation and development of  the TANF Research Project
a crowd of people sit in seats in a large open room. The walls behind them are white with blue accents. Some wear masks.
The crowd sitting in wait
A Doug Schenkelberg, CCH's E.D. dressed in a dark blue sweater stands in front of a projector speaking into a microphone to the audience
Doug Schenkelberg
Between the crowd stands a women at the front of the room, holding a paper and speaking into a microphone.
Crowd watching Julie Dworkin speak
a man on the left receives a microphone and an award from another gentleman center. At right a women with long red hair congratulates him.
Jim Picchetti awards Bob Palmer
Three women stand in front of a white wall with blue accents, the left most holds a mic, and the two on the right hold glass plaques.
Julie Dworkin, Commissioner Maria Novara, and Commissioner Brandie Knazze
A women in a floral dress speaks into a mic on the left, as a women in a black suit watches her on the right.
Commissioner Marisa Novara and Commissioner Brandie Knazze
Two women stand in front of a white wall with blue accents. The one on the left is in a light purple suit jacket and holds a mic, the one to the right is in a yellow dress and hold a glass plaque.
Representative Lakesia Collins and Niya Kelly
A speaker stands in front of a white wall with blue accents holding a mic in one hand and a paper in the other, she wears a purple tie dye sweater.
Marketta Sims reading a Poem
A speaker stands in front of a white projector screen, holding a mic and a paper. She wears a jean jacket with white fur trim.
Juanita Rogers reading a Poem
Two women stand in front of a white projector, both holding glass plaques.
Maxica Williams and Ms. Betty hold their glass plaques
A women at center smiles while holding a glass plaque and microphone. Behind her people stand in celebration.
Edrika Fulford’s Daughter
A women stands in front of a white wall with blue accents, she wears a purple shirt with a portrait on it, and smiles as she speaks into the mic.
TANF Honoree
Three women stand center, the left most holds a glass plaque, the middle holds a glass plaque and a microphone and looks up to the sky, and the right most holds her friends arm in support.
Taishi Neuman looks up as other TANF Team members stand around her.
Honorable Representative Will Guzzardi and Gloria Davis (CCH)
Deb Dempsey
Bob Palmer, Housing Action Illinois
Commissioner Brandie Knazze
Commissioner Marisa Novara 
Juanita Rogers
Attendees
Representative Lakesia Collins and Representative Will Guzzardi
Commissioner Brandie Knazze with attendees
Attendees
13 people stand in front of a white wall with blue accents. They are smiling and some wear masks.
TANF Honorees

As we end 2022 Victory Celebration and enter 2023 we look forward to our collaboration with the community working to ensure housing is accessible to everyone. Addressing homelessness has many layers and together we will continue to be tenacious to make housing a human right. 

Match Opportunity: Support Chicagoans impacted by homelessness by donating to the CCH Mutual Aid Fund today! 

Posted on by Karianne Canfield

CCH’s Mutual Aid Fund (MAF) is an innovative, low-barrier direct cash-assistance program for Illinois individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Created in May 2020 in response to the pandemic, the fund was designed by and continues to be managed by grassroots leaders with lived experience of homelessness.  

To date, the Mutual Aid Fund has distributed 710 grants of $500, totaling $355,000 in direct assistance!  

MAF recipients have used the funds for critical, urgent needs, including security deposits, hotel/motel stays, monthly bus passes for work, and doctor’s appointments and medicines. 

Join us in helping even more individuals and families impacted by homelessness: Through October 31, donations up to $50,000 will be matched by long-time community partners Marta Delgado & Sam Nandi. 

CCH aims to raise at least $100,000 for the Mutual Aid Fund this year, enough to provide 200 cash grants to community members impacted by homelessness. 

Please consider supporting the Mutual Aid Fund today! 

Your support makes a difference: CCH’s Mutual Aid Fund in action 

“I did the application because I’m living in a difficult situation – I am diabetic and need a balanced diet. Sometimes I go to sleep without a dollar in my pocket, not knowing how I will pay for rent. I used the funds to buy food and pay a portion of my rent.”

Vicente H.

“Being homeless during the pandemic felt impossible, but the fund helped me with food, hygiene products and most importantly art supplies…which helped me to earn more income and to feel more secure in the post-pandemic world, that had seemed to forget the homeless. CCH didn’t forget though…the fund was there to help.”

Trevor R. 

“When I found out I was chosen to receive the Mutual Aid Funds, I was so happy and appreciative. I had recently moved into a new apartment and abruptly lost my income temporarily. I was able to open a checking account and had a little cushion to pay my bills. Resources such as this should always be available for hard-working people who do not qualify for government assistance.”

Juanita R.