Emergency Assistance Department

 

Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Department provides basic human
needs. Food is the most requested basic need. Other services include
emergency financial assistance, benefits screening, clothing, emergency
shelter, short-term case management, advocacy, and referrals.

Despite unemployment in Illinois seeing a slight decrease, those who turn
to Catholic Charities for help are still facing a significant roadblock and are
struggling to provide for their families. The majority of jobs that pay family-
supporting wages now require some amount of postsecondary education,
training, or certification. This creates a significant obstacle for our clients who
have less education or work experience.

Last year, the Emergency Assistance Department served 1.8 million meals
through our eight food pantries and screened nearly 1,200 people for the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The department also received
74,000 requests for rent and utility assistance. Without the assistance
provided by Catholic Charities, some of the most vulnerable people in our
area would have nowhere else to turn for basic human needs.

Your contribution gives people in need — people who live and work in your
community — help and hope.

From bop to pop…the evolution of a sound!

3 parts Jersey Boys, 2 parts Motown: The Musical and "not your grandma's doo wop", these five charismatic, handsome, triple threat Broadway stars – with their hot 5-piece band -- tear it up, with musicality, dancing and showmanship not found with any other group in the world!  They “re-doo” classic Doo Wop songs from the 50’s and 60’s and make ‘em sound fresh and new…and they take contemporary pop hits by stars like Jason Mraz, Amy Winehouse, Adele and Maroon 5, and “doowopify” them!   Perfect entertainment for people ages 10 to 100!

Always a crowd favorite, the Art Show & Sale features original artwork, photographs and giclee productions by 15-16 locally and nationally recognized artists. Commissioned pieces will be available from a number of the artists participating, just inquire!

All of our artists are donating a percentage of their art sales to benefit Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Programs. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for their incredible generosity.

If you are interested in participating as an artist in next year's Gala, please contact Andrea Young, Event Assistant, at ayoung@catholiccharities.net.

Stay tuned for Silent Auction items and the opportunity to bid online!

Sapphire Raffle:

One winner will receive an 18k white gold pendant with
a 1.44 carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 15 round
brilliant cut diamonds, with an appraised value of $5,000.

Generously donated and authentication provided by Marshall Pierce & Co.

Tickets are $50 each or three for $100. Click here to purchase your tickets!

The Gala of the Arts Mandatum Award

 

The Mandatum Award, given annually at the Gala of the Arts, is the most prestigious honor that Catholic Charities awards each year and celebrates the awardee’s exemplification of Christ’s mandate to serve the poor with compassion and generosity. 

The recipients of the 2018 Mandatum Award will be Mr. & Mrs. James and Molly Perry for their generosity and unwavering support of people in need.

PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE MANDATUM AWARD

2017 – The Glunz Family – John Glunz, Joseph Glunz, Louis J. Glunz III, Barbara Glunz Donovan and Patricia Spencer

2016 – Deacon Stan Strom

2015 – Mr. & Mrs. William L. Hardy; Mr. & Mrs. William J. Jovan; Mr. & Mrs. † James Serritella

2014 – The Women’s Board of Catholic Charities, Lake County Services

2013 – Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Bilder 2012 – Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Guzior

2011 – Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Mulaney, Jr. 

2010 – Illinois Club for Catholic Women 

2009 – Most Reverend Timothy J. Lyne †

2008 – The De Santis Family Foundation             
   Accepted by Kyle De Santis

2007 – Mr. & Mrs. Ronald P. Laurent

2006 – Mr. Salvatore C. Argento †             
   Presented to Mrs. Sam (Mary Jean †) Argento & son, Vincent Argento

2005 – Mr. & Mrs. John † Geldermann  

2004 – Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Burke, Sr.

2003 – Dedication of the Mandatum Work of Art

2002 – Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Havey             
   Mr. † & Mrs. † Richard Carrigan, Sr.             
    INAUGURAL RECIPIENTS

† Deceased

Sponsorships are available by contacting Rose Marie Lesniak-Mendez at rmlesniakmendez@catholiccharities.net or registering below.

Download a Gala of the Arts Information & Sponsorship Brochure

Download a Gala of the Arts Sponsorship and Ad Sales Commitment Form

Register here!

We offer our sincere appreciation to the individuals and organizations who sponsored the 2017 Gala of the Arts. Because of your generosity, more people in need will be assisted through the services that Catholic Charities provides.

If you would like to receive more information regarding the Catholic Charities Gala of the Arts, please complete the form below or, contact Rose Marie Lesniak-Mendez, Special Events Manager, at rmlesniakmendez@catholiccharities.net.

Mailing Address:

Catholic Charities
Gala of the Arts
721 N LaSalle Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60654

The 17th Annual Gala of the Arts will take place on Friday September 7, 2018 at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. The event will feature an exquisite Art Show & Sale, Grand Raffle, and a live performance by the Doo Wop Project. For more information about Gala of the Arts, please contact Rose Marie Lesniak-Mendez, Special Events Manager, at 312-655-7290 or RMLesniakMendez@catholiccharities.net.

See pictures from last year's event HERE!

Register here!

Donate here!


DRESS
Black tie optional

LOCATION
Navy Pier is located at 600 E. Grand Avenue.

DIRECTIONS
• From the north, take Lake Shore Drive (US 41) to the Grand Avenue exit.
• From the northwest, take the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) to the Ohio Street Exit, south on Orleans to Illinois Street and proceed east.
• From the west, take the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) to Columbus Drive, north to Illinois Street and proceed east.
• From the southwest, take the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) to Lake Shore Drive (US 41), north to Illinois Street and proceed east.
• From the south, take the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) east to the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) to Lake Shore Drive (US 41), north to Illinois Street and proceed east.
• From the southeast, take Lake Shore Drive (US 41) north to the Illinois Street exit.