Events
2012 Gala a Success!
Fellowship Housing, hosted its annual Gala event raising awareness for homeless and at-risk single mothers and raised $230,000. Fellowship Housing serves 18 families in Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates, helping them to break the cycle of despair and live in housing of their choice.
A crowd of 200 guests enjoyed the evening filled with a lovely dinner at the Stonegate, live and silent auctions, and speakers connected to the program. Honorary Chair Todd Hollandsworth, commentator for the Chicago Cubs on Comcast Sports Net, shared his passion for Fellowship Housing. Hollandsworth focused on the importance of family and when a family’s foundation is shook, it has huge implications especially for children. He challenged guests to give of what they could to support the single mother families in Fellowship Housing.
After Hollandsworth’s passion was shared, a Fellowship Housing graduate and her daughter spoke of how their lives have been forever changed. Nora, a single mother and Fellowship Housing Graduate, shared that she entered Fellowship Housing confused and with an uncertain future; but thanks to the program she is now stronger and knows she is not alone. Her daughter Paola, a student at Barrington High School, then gave testimony that her future is bright and certain because of Fellowship Housing. Paola shared that before entering the program, she and her mother were sleeping on an air mattress in a family member’s living room when they learned that their family was moving away. They had nowhere to go and she was 10 years old. Then, Nora contacted Fellowship Housing and they were accepted into the program. While Nora was being taught how to manage finances and worked to pay off debt, Paola was watching and learning. Today, Nora and Paola own a home and Paola is on track for college. They have truly moved from homelessness to hope living in permanent housing of their choice. Guests rose to their feet to cheer this family on and were compelled to give.
Fellowship Housing is a two-year transitional housing program with a financial literacy focus for single mothers and their children. To attend the 2013 Gala event and others like it, contact Amanda at Amanda@fhcmoms.org.