Gads Hill Center Kicks off the New School Year

Chicago, IL – Elementary and high school Chicago area students from Gads Hill Center participated in the agency’s Annual Back to School Picnic on Friday, August 27^th, 2010.  More than 300 kids, staff and corporate volunteers enjoyed carnival games, festivities, school supplies and prizes that garnered energy and excitement for the new school year.

The day was not only about fun and games.  The Annual Picnic’s goal is to prepare students with materials necessary for a successful school year.  More than 75 members of Baker & McKenzie’s professional staff led the charge to make the day fun and memorable for all.  They provided school supplies, filled backpacks, led games and activities and even prepared a barbecue lunch for the kids.   John Conroy, Chairman of the Firm’s Executive Committee, and Greg Walters, Global Chief Operating Officer, shared their enthusiasm for the mission of Gads Hill by participating in the festivities along with Adams Street Partners, through a donation of backpacks, health energy bars from General Mills, and  youth motivational interaction with Alderman Danny Solis (25th Ward). 

Barbara Castellán, Gads Hill’s Chief Executive Officer, noted that “Students and volunteers alike had a wonderful time this year. These young students are confident and off to a strong start and we are anxious to watch their progress. We want to thank our generous sponsors who provided their time, energy and resources to make the event a success.”

Gads Hill supporter Jana Armstrong, owner of Argyle Art, shows off her fancy beaded works with kids from the agency’s Teen Connection and Club Learn Programs.  The children learned the art of making beaded necklaces and wristbands which they proudly displayed to friends and family.   Jana’s husband Bob tagged along and did the heavy lifting when it came to splitting open the awesome geodes.  Thank you Jana and Bob for providing such a fun activity for the kids!

Gads Hill Center’s Child Development Center will be hosting a Recruitment Fair on Friday, August 6th.  Come out and learn more about Gads Hill’s programs for 0-5 year olds and enjoy complimentary food, a raffle for gift certificates from local businesses, activities, games, and more!

When: Friday, August 6, 2010

Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Where: Gads Hill Child Development Center at 2653 W. Ogden 2nd Floor

Please click on this link for more information

Club Learn kids entered their drawings into a contest at GHC supporter Adams Street Partners.  Adams Street assembled a team to run in the JPMorgan Chase Challenge and wanted a special t-shirt.  Out of the 3 dozen submitted, Michelle Ramos’s drawing was chosen to grace the back of the shirt.   Seen here is Michelle, her mom, and Gabriella Penn from Adams Street Partners showing off the winning drawing.  Michelle received a certificate of appreciation and a gift of the “Captain Underpants” series of books.

Gads Hill Center congratulates Virginia Martinez, long time Gads Hill Center board member, for having received the Citizen of Action Award from the League of Women Voters of Illinois at their annual State of the State luncheon that took place on June 2d. 

Ms. Martinez, a Legislative Staff Attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), has spent most of her career working in non-profit organizations and has been a strong advocate for Latinos, women and children.  

 The League of Women Voters presents the Citizen of Action Award to a member of the community who advocates for better public service, the rights of individuals and for a stronger democratic process.  Virginia Martinez exemplifies this dedication and commitment to public service through her work for MALDEF as well as through her volunteer service on the boards of Gads Hill Center, the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation and the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition.

On Saturday April 24, everyone got into the act when Comcast employees visited Gads Hill Center on Comcast Cares Day.  More than 140 Gads Hill parents, families, volunteers and Comcast employees participated in the 9^th Annual Comcast Cares Day by painting, shoveling, raking, planting, and cleaning the yard and building of Gads Hill Center.

On Thursday, May 6 Gads Hill Center hosted its annual gala, Strengthening the Fabric of Families, A Legacy of Leaders at Galleria Marchetti on Chicago’s Erie Street.  We honored two individuals who have demonstrated a passionate commitment to support the mission of Gads Hill.   Joan W. Newman, Partner and Head of Human Resources at financial firm Adams Street Partners and Edwin Gonzalez, a Gads Hill alum and a current group leader for GHC’s Club Learn program for 5-12 year olds.

Over 300 community leaders, corporate partners, Gads Hill alumni, current participants and supporters came together to raise over $65,000 and to celebrate the significant contributions of those who have made Gads Hill Center a thriving resource on Chicago’s southwest side. 

Our annual gala will be held May 6,2010 at 5:30pm at the beautiful Galleria Marchetti located at 825 W. Erie Street.  Join us for a Hollywood-inspired evening with cocktails, dinner and our Legacy of Leaders, as we salute those who have made a difference in the lives of children and families of Gads Hill Center.

GHC Gala Invite 2010

This year’s honorees are:

Corporate Partner Award

Joan W. Newman, Adams Street Partners

George W. Moss Founder’s Award

Edwin Gonzalez, Gads Hill Center

Outstanding Gads Hill Center Alumni

To purchase tickets or to contribute to the event, please click on the link below:

https://id3484.securedata.net/gadshillcenter.org/merchantmanager/index.php

For more information, contact Gads Hill Center at (312)226-0963 ext. 242

or info@gadshillcenter.org

Join Gads Hill Center as we kick off our annual gala and celebrate another year of service to our community.

Thursday, November 5
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Quarles & Brady LLP
300 N. LaSalle St., Suite 4000
Chicago, IL

RSVP to Lauren Wesley at lwesley@gadshillcenter.org or by calling 312-226-0963, ext. 242 by November 2.

Thank you to our 2009 supporters:
Adams Street Partners
Comcast
Boeing
Chapman and Cutler LLP
MB Financial Bank
MerlinSolutions
Matthews Roofing
Fullline Printing, Inc.
AztecAmerica Bank
Fifth Third Bank
Freeborn & Peters LLP
Midwest Generation
Primera Engineers, Ltd.
Pugh, Jones, Johnson & Quandt, P.C.
State Farm
BP America, Inc.
Community Savings Bank
El Milagro Tortillas
First Eagle Bank
James Neaylon
Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.

Dorinda O. Flores, Event Co-Chair       Donnica Austin-Cathey, Event Co-Chair
Fifth Third Bank

The Gads Hill Center Alumni Committee presents

Back to School Picnic

on August 27th at 4-7pm

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