Above / 360 Youth Services will host its annual gala at Embassy Suites, 1823 Abriter Court, just off Diehl Road.
After confronting the difficulties of homelessness, Antonio Clark was relieved when he found 360 Youth Services Transitional Housing Program. He describes the time when he was moving from house to house until he found 360 as “tough.”
While in the program, he says he found compassionate people and acquired many new skills that have prepared him for a lifetime of self-sufficiency. Now a senior at Southern Illinois University, he was recently honored with the African American Achievement Scholarship.
Clark will be sharing more details about his journey at 360 Youth Services’ 45th Anniversary Gala on November 4, 2016. He will be joined by two other former 360 clients who will also share their powerful stories of change and hope.
The gala, “City Lights – Sapphire Nights” will be emceed by ABC7’s Windy City Live host Val Warner and feature the Northern Trust Band “The Exceptions.”
The Harter Family Distinction of Honor Award will be presented to Nicki Anderson for her tireless commitment to youth and consistently going above and beyond to support the programs and initiatives of 360 Youth Services.
“We are so grateful to the community for helping us reach this anniversary milestone,” said Katy Leclair, CEO. “We are extremely excited to share this wonderful evening with so many. Our young people are simply amazing and we’re looking forward to celebrating them.”
Live and silent auctions help fund wishes, photos capture memories
Besides celebrating the youth and the agency’s 45th Anniversary, the evening will also include a new “Wall of Wishes” along with both live and silent auctions. Live auction items include a trip to Cuba, a chance to ride on a Mardi Gras float, a dinner hosted by award-winning Chef to the stars Rich Mancini and many others. A photo booth will provide guests with photo keepsakes of the special evening.
Throughout the years, countless people and businesses in the community have supported the agency, and many sponsors have again stepped up for the youth of 360 including Windy City Sponsors Tom & Brenda Harter, Edward-Elmhurst Health, First Community Financial Bank, and Thomas Coffee. Big Apple Sponsors are Thrivent Financial Zac Larson and Corey Schmidt, Grunyk Family Law, and Northern Trust.
The Gala will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Naperville from 5:30 – 11PM on Fri., Nov. 4, 2016. To purchase tickets, visit www.360youthservices.org.
360 Youth Services provides life changing services to youth through substance abuse prevention education, counseling and housing. To learn more about their programs and initiatives, visit 360youthservices.org.
Story submitted by Lisa Schwarz-Barry, Marketing & Event Specialist, for 360 Youth Services.
