Executive Director Report
Rita Kahn: Executive Director
Letter from Executive Director:
Mark your calendars for the Virtual Seeds of HOPE Gala on November 13 th , 2020! This year we are celebrating HOPES 10 th Anniversary with a very special evening with astronaut, STEM educator, former NFL player, and dog advocate Leland Melvin. The Gala is FREE to attend and the main event begins at 6pm. If you would like to join us for a VIP Experience at 5:30pm, the $35 ticket will include a cocktail hour conversation
with Leland and a bottle of wine to enjoy during the event. Please register today at https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/OTg5Mjc=.
Chicago HOPES for Kids was honored with a Neighborhood Innovation Award for our COVID-19 Virtual Academic Support. The winners were announced at the Chicago Innovation Awards virtual event held on October 19 th . The award was given in recognition of the Chicago HOPES for Kids successful pivot during the pandemic to providing virtual academic and community resources through our website and weekly emails to
our families. Our Board President, Tonya Rice, accepted the award on behalf of Chicago HOPES for Kids at Wrigley Field and we will have an upcoming opportunity to meet with Mayor Lightfoot and other local leaders to discuss the needs of children experiencing homelessness and the mission of our organization. I have never been prouder of the Chicago HOPES for Kids staff and volunteer team and am thrilled to see this
important work recognized by the Chicago community.
Two of HOPES VISTA AmeriCorps members are coming to the end of their year of service this month. Monica Alvarez has been a strong asset in recruiting and training community volunteers, a master of creative media, and helped secure our recent NBC Innovation grant providing $50,000 in STEM enrichment and technology support for children in the shelters. Jessica Obi has been a creative and tactical force in virtual programming
and helped us maintain and build enrichment and parent program partnerships. Their contributions will have a lasting impact and we wish them great success in their future endeavors.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Chicago HOPES for Kids and children experiencing homelessness.
Best,
Rita Kahn
Executive Director
Chicago HOPES for Kids
Mark your calendars for the Virtual Seeds of HOPE Gala on November 13 th , 2020! This year we are celebrating HOPES 10 th Anniversary with a very special evening with astronaut, STEM educator, former NFL player, and dog advocate Leland Melvin. The Gala is FREE to attend and the main event begins at 6pm. If you would like to join us for a VIP Experience at 5:30pm, the $35 ticket will include a cocktail hour conversation
with Leland and a bottle of wine to enjoy during the event. Please register today at https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/OTg5Mjc=.
Chicago HOPES for Kids was honored with a Neighborhood Innovation Award for our COVID-19 Virtual Academic Support. The winners were announced at the Chicago Innovation Awards virtual event held on October 19 th . The award was given in recognition of the Chicago HOPES for Kids successful pivot during the pandemic to providing virtual academic and community resources through our website and weekly emails to
our families. Our Board President, Tonya Rice, accepted the award on behalf of Chicago HOPES for Kids at Wrigley Field and we will have an upcoming opportunity to meet with Mayor Lightfoot and other local leaders to discuss the needs of children experiencing homelessness and the mission of our organization. I have never been prouder of the Chicago HOPES for Kids staff and volunteer team and am thrilled to see this
important work recognized by the Chicago community.
Two of HOPES VISTA AmeriCorps members are coming to the end of their year of service this month. Monica Alvarez has been a strong asset in recruiting and training community volunteers, a master of creative media, and helped secure our recent NBC Innovation grant providing $50,000 in STEM enrichment and technology support for children in the shelters. Jessica Obi has been a creative and tactical force in virtual programming
and helped us maintain and build enrichment and parent program partnerships. Their contributions will have a lasting impact and we wish them great success in their future endeavors.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Chicago HOPES for Kids and children experiencing homelessness.
Best,
Rita Kahn
Executive Director
Chicago HOPES for Kids
