15th Annual Progressive Dinner Raises Funds for Housing Forward

On Monday, April 17, Housing Forward welcomed more than 200 guests to the annual Progressive Dinner to help those in the community that are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness

The event, now in its 15th year, was hosted in three locations in Oak Park, Winberie's, Oak Park Brewing Company and L!ve Cafe, and included donations from Buzz Cafe, The Cheesecake Stand, Cucina Paradiso, and The Happy Apple Pie Shop. The Progressive Dinner was sponsored by corporate partner, BMO Harris Bank, and other local businesses including Pellegrini & Cristiano, Prairie Title, EJ Mullins Co, AA Rental Center, Dreschler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, and Heritage Tile. The evening raised more than $15,000, which is enough to prevent 10 households from becoming homeless.

Mary and Frank Pellegrini of Prairie Title and Pellegrini & Cristiano were Michelin Star Sponsors of the event. They first became involved with Housing Forward as volunteers for the dinner shift at one of the PADS Shelter sites and continue to support the programs. “We are in the business of helping people buy and sell their homes,” says Mary, “When the weather is bad and we walk into our home of 23 years, we often think of the folks who for one reason or another do not have a home to go to. We are grateful for our blessings and want to share them with others.”

All proceeds from this event benefitted Housing Forward. Marking their 25th Anniversary, Housing Forward has advanced into the largest provider of permanent supportive housing and homeless programming in all of suburban Cook County. The agency offers a full continuum of programs designed to prevent and resolve homelessness, as well as address its underlying causes. With new funding and expanded partnerships, the agency increased their capacity to provide long-term housing for adults and families whose barrier to sustainable housing was due to a disabling condition. From 2014-2016 the number of permanent supportive housing units grew from 13 units to 166. As the number of individuals placed in permanent supportive housing continues to rise, the number of chronically homeless individuals using shelter declines, indicating that Housing Forward’s services are having a measurable impact within the area.

For more information or to be a part of Housing Forward’s mission to transition people from financial and housing crisis to stability, visit www.housingforward.org.

Photos by Paul Goyette Photography