With your generosity, NHS raised nearly $445,000 to support our work in revitalizing Chicago & Elgin neighborhoods at its 36th Annual Awards Dinner March 24, 2011, at Union Station.  Nearly 750 corporate, foundation, government and community partners attended this year's gala.  We were honored to have Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel in attendance, who shared his commitment to working with NHS and its partners. 

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan was honored with the NHS Community Advocacy Award for her work on initiating and drafting key legislation aimed at protecting homeowners from predatory lending and mortgage fraud. Madigan received her award from longtime Chicago homeowner William Jones, who himself was the unknowing victim of a mortgage scam.

 

A nationally known expert on neighborhoods and community development,  Jim Capraro was the recipient of the Gale Cincotta Community Visionary Award for his tireless efforts to improve the Chicago Lawn and Gage Park communities through his 35-year tenure as Executive Director of the Greater Southwest Development Corporation.

 

Denis Pierce, principal of Pierce & Associates, P.C., a real estate law firm, was honored with NHS' Corporate Leadership Award for harnessing the power of philanthropy to improve access to homeowners facing foreclosure. Pierce also heads the Pierce Family Foundation where thousands have benefited from his "give back" philosophy to fund housing-related issues and services for the disadvantaged.

 

This year's Annual Awards Dinner was a big success. Thanks to MB Financial, for their generous support of a special Annual Dinner Matching Gift Program.  Individual donations made at the dinner and through the end of NHS' fiscal year on March 31, were matched dollar for dollar.  To date, $7,146 has been raised. 

  

Special thanks to U.S. Bank, Annual Awards Dinner Sponsor,  and to all of our sponsors,  attendees and volunteers.