Inaugural Gala Raises More Than $60,000 for Chosen Inc.

Waukesha, Wis. – A first-ever gala for Chosen Inc. (“Chosen”) raised more than $60,000 for the non-profit ministry, a financial boost that will expand its reach to educate about and support foster and adoptive parenting.

The Nov. 9 event, “Open Hearts, Open Homes: A Celebration of Foster and Adoptive Families,” drew nearly 200 guests and volunteers to the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West, Wauwatosa. The inaugural gala celebrated the work of foster and adoptive parents, and emphasized raising awareness of the great need for more foster families to care for kids in crisis.

Chosen gained 40 new commitments of ongoing financial support at the gala. The revenue allows the organization to strengthen its organizational infrastructure to keep up with a rapidly-growing client base.

Since its founding two years ago, Chosen has served more than 185 families from 10 counties, with more than 350 foster or adopted children. Chosen’s Family Closet, a donations-driven collection site for clothes and children’s items, has given away more than 13,000 items to families since opening in May 2017.

“The incredible generosity of everyone who attended and helped with the gala will allow Chosen to hire a paid staff person, who will develop a social worker networking program and reach out to more foster and adoptive families,” said Karen Schlindwein, Executive Director of Chosen.

“We have been overwhelmed at the response to our ministry, which speaks to the need for this support and advocacy in the community,” she said. “Words can hardly describe the impact of this gala in helping Chosen pursue its mission of ‘Fostering Forever Families.’”

Gala attendees heard a stirring presentation from acclaimed speakers Emily and Chris Norton. The Florida couple has five foster children, despite Chris being confined to a wheelchair from a football injury. They shared their personal fostering journey with heartfelt stories of the struggles of children in foster care, and a belief that they are destined to help children.

Their quote: “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”

Chosen’s next event is 3rd Annual Friends of Chosen Walk, May 11 at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Chosen is dedicated to educating the public about the impact of adoption and fostering, and providing spiritual, material, and emotional support to families who have chosen these oft-misunderstood paths. The organization operates The Family Closet in Waukesha, where these families can obtain donated clothing and other needed children’s items, free of charge.

Chosen shares resource referrals to other organizations and professionals to help meet the needs of adoptive and foster families. Its long-term goals include opening a multi-family foster community to care for children in need of a loving home.

More information about Chosen is available at www.choseninlove.org, by calling (262) 853-1078, or following on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OurChosenFamily.