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| Father Bruce Wellems, Boys Town Chicago Executive Director; Illinois State Senator Tony Munoz; Illinois State Representative Edward Acevedo; Rita Cardoso, Boys Town Chicago Program Director; Paul J. Lopez, Boys Town Chicago Board Chair; Antonio Mora, CBS 2 Chicago Anchor and Master of Ceremonies. |
Top Chicago Leaders Raise More than $100,000 for Casa Tepeyac
Nearly 200 community leaders helped Boys Town Chicago at a June 26 Northerly Island benefit, raising more than $100,000 for severely at-risk youth served at Casa Tepeyac, the new Assessment and Short-Term Residential Center.
“This is another big step in the beginning of our caring for some of Chicago’s most at-risk children,” said Father Bruce Wellems, Boys Town Chicago Executive Director. “We are creating a meaningful dialogue throughout Chicago on how Boys Town can support these children and their families.”
“It is wonderful to see so many community leaders from throughout Chicago come out to support Father Bruce and the new home as we work together to carry Father Flanagan’s vision to help children throughout this city,” said Bill Swindell, Boys Town Vice President of Development and Public Relations.
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| Rita Cardoso, Boys Town Chicago Program Director, presents the “Rose Award” to Illinois State Representative Edward Acevedo (foreground) and Paul J. Lopez, Boys Town Chicago Board Chair, presents the award to Illinois State Senator Tony Munoz (background). |
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Top leaders from Mayor Richard Daley’s office, the Chicago Police Department, juvenile judges and school principals were in attendance. Corporate sponsors included the Claretian Missionaries, Aon, Azteca Foods and Wal-Mart.
“Creating a team of people who can see our mission as their own is key,” said Father Wellems.
During the event, Boys Town Chicago recognized Illinois State Senator Antonio Munoz and Representative Edward Acevedo with its inaugural Rose Award for securing funding for the programs offered at Casa Tepeyac. The award, named for both the roses that appeared at the once barren village of Tepeyac in Mexico as a sign to Saint Juan Diego of the Lady of Guadalupe, and those that once bloomed in the vacant lot where Casa Tepeyac now stands, recognizes individuals who make significant contributions that help sustain and strengthen Boys Town’s mission of Changing the Way America Cares for her Children and Families.
David Lopez, a member of the Holy Cross Marimba Band which performed during the evening and senior at DePaul University, told guests how being in the band kept him out of trouble. With his parents working long hours, leaving him with little supervision, Father Bruce provided him refuge at Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, of which he is pastor. After some convincing by Father Bruce, Lopez joined the band, keeping him off the streets.
“Now David is telling people about Boys Town as a promising place in his neighborhood where kids can get help,” said Rita Cardoso, Boys Town Chicago Program Director.
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