Networking event culminates in outpouring of generosity for New Moms, Inc.

The generosity of local women business leaders helped make Mother’s Day a little sweeter for a group of teenage mothers and their children.

More than 80 women business leaders in Chicago attended the fourth Women Helping Women Mix-and-Mingle on Thursday, May 5, sponsored by Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. Hosted by the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, Women Helping Women gives women business leaders and entrepreneurs the opportunity to network with potential strategic partners while simultaneously serving their Chicago community.

“Networking, business development and community service are incredibly important to the women who attend our events,” said Chuhak principal Lisa Rothstein. “These after-work mix-and-mingles enable women to accomplish all three at once in a convenient location, thus minimizing their time commitments.”

Since the inception of Women Helping Women in 2009, Chuhak & Tecson has partnered with a local women’s charity for each event. This time around, Chuhak selected New Moms, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty among at-risk teenage mothers and their children.

“We scheduled the event to coincide with Mother’s Day, making New Moms the perfect partner for our spring 2011 Mix-and-Mingle,” said Rothstein, who delivered the firm’s welcome remarks. “We were absolutely thrilled by the turnout and generosity of the women who attended this event.”

Chuhak developed a baby shower theme for the Mix-and-Mingle, with guests bringing “shower gifts” for both the new moms and their children. The firm also collected donations from its employees in the days following the event. Altogether, New Moms received hundreds of personal care items for the mothers and their children, more than 100 children’s outfits and over $1000 in gift cards and monetary donations.

“We are so grateful to Chuhak & Tecson and the many attendees at this event,” said Mary Griffith, director of resource development for New Moms. “The outpouring of generosity and support shows everyone’s high level of dedication to Women Helping Women.

“We received donations in many forms, all of which enabled our participant moms to celebrate Mother’s Day with a bigger smile on their faces, knowing someone cares.”

At the Mix-and-Mingle, guests enjoyed wine, hors d’oeuvres and a signature C-Tini cocktail—all with a Cinco de Mayo flair. Five lucky attendees won bottles of wine in a lottery, and one woman walked away with raffled-off Cubs tickets, courtesy of Chuhak principal Joshua Hyman, who heads the firm’s banking group.

“Women Helping Women is unique because it gives women a fun, interactive way to network and perform community service,” Rothstein said. “These events really encourage women business leaders to be in touch with their peers and their communities.”

Mix-and-Mingle guests had the chance to write “notes of inspiration” to the 100+ teenage mothers currently served by New Moms. Founded in 1983, New Moms has assisted more than 1,000 teenage mothers in Chicago and provides resources to assist these women in both the short and long term.

Jessica Galligan, New Moms’ Career Advancement Coordinator, spoke to Mix-and-Mingle guests about the organization’s Rising Star Career Readiness Program. This program focuses on workforce development and includes life skills counseling and aptitude assessments for each participant. Through this program, New Moms partners with local businesses to place these mothers in paid internships and full-time employment positions.

“Hearing about the range of support programs offered by New Moms was inspiring,” said Chuhak attorney Molly Ward. “New Moms makes a difference every day in the lives of local teen mothers and their children. I’m proud that we can serve our community by partnering with such a phenomenal organization.”