Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago will host an inaugural “Veterans in Need” benefit dinner to provide veterans with  job placement, counseling, housing and other services. The fundraising event will be held in the main dining room of the Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd. on Friday, June 15, 2012.

Guests are invited to a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Admiral Vernon E. Clark, (ret.) former Chief of Naval Operations, will be the featured speaker. Admiral Clark received numerous military decorations throughout his 37-year U.S. Navy career, including four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, three Navy Distinguished Medals and three Legion of Merit awards.

Claudia Dunne of Chicago will chair the event.

Tickets for the “Veterans in Need” benefit dinner are $175 per person and tables with seating for ten are $1750. Guests are asked to attend in cocktail attire.

To register, visit http://www.catholiccharities.net/veteransinneed/home or call (312) 655-7907.

For more information about the “Veterans in Need” benefit dinner contact Dave Gardner, Director of Regional and Program Events, at (312) 655-7907 or email dgardner@catholiccharities.net.

Proceeds will benefit Catholic Charities’ Veterans Services programs which include:

●                    The St. Leo Campus for Veterans in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago is the only facility of its type in the U.S. and a national model that assists

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 formerly homeless veterans to stabilize their lives, and become as independent as they can. St. Leo serves male and female veterans of all ages and networks with veterans groups and community organizations such as: the Auburn Gresham Community Development Corporation, Department of Veterans Affairs, Hiring our Heroes Job Fair and Project Salute.

Other Catholic Charities facilities and services that will benefit from the “Veterans in Need” Dinner are:

●       Cooke’s Manor  on the campus of the Edward J. Hines Jr. VA Hospital, in Hines, Illinois provides transitional housing, counseling, pre-employment training and job placement for male veterans in recovery from alcohol and/or drug addiction.

●       Bishop Goedert Residence, also on  the Hines VA campus, provides housing, activities and access to social services for low- income individuals 62 years or older, with preference given to veterans and their spouses.

●       The Veterans Employment Program assists veterans in finding and maintaining employment.

“Our veterans services and programs make a significant positive impact in the lives of some 18,000 persons throughout the Chicago metropolitan area who have served our country in the military,” said Monsignor Michael M. Boland, Administrator, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

“These initiatives support veterans in their greatest time of need, from providing housing options to recovery services and employment assistance. Initially, many veterans are served by Catholic Charities’ Emergency Services located throughout Cook and Lake Counties. This is where our counselors may first become aware of a particular veteran’s situation and refer him or her to St. Leo or to other programs,” added Monsignor Boland.

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting 1.1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church's role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities.