More than 450 guests attended The Night Ministry's 2015 Lighting Up the Night Awards Dinner & Auction June 4 at The Standard Club to recognize several groups who share a commitment to serving those who experience poverty and homelessness in Chicago.
Attendees raised more than $400,000 to address adult and youth homelessness.
Laurie McCollum and Carl Warschausky, president and CEO at World Kitchen, and Beth and Chuck Boehrer, of Winston & Strawn, LLP chaired the 2015 Dinner Committee. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg served as master of ceremonies.
Lamplighter Awards were presented to three entities in recognition of their commitment to The Night Ministry's mission.
The Night Ministry celebrated the work of the following supporters: President's Award to Gordon and Paula Addington, Outstanding Community Partner Award to the Windy City Times, and Outstanding Community Advocates Award to Kirsten Kelly and Anne de Mare of Sparge! Productions, producers of The Homestretch documentary.
Each year, The Night Ministry strives to meet the cost of its four youth shelter programs, street-based youth outreach program and health outreach program. In FY (fiscal year) 2015, The Night Ministry's total budget is $6.2 million.
"We were proud to recognize the Lamplighter Awardees and it was heartwarming to be amongst so many generous, devoted supporters. Our work would be impossible without them," said Paul W. Hamann, president and CEO of The Night Ministry.
One of the evening's most powerful speakers was Sincere, who experienced homelessness as a youth, who now works for The Night Ministry's shelter, The Crib.