News

Women Helping Women brings winter warmth to Family Focus' Nuestra Familia center

November 12, 2018

On Oct. 23, the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. hosted the firm’s annual Women Helping Women (WHW) Mix-and-Mingle event at Rivers Restaurant where nearly 150 women gathered to support the important work being done at Family Focus’ Nuestra Familia, a nonprofit center serving families in Humboldt Park, Cicero and the Hermosa communities.

Attendees donated over 275 winter baby items, including blankets, pajamas and snowsuits. Nearly $3,000 in gift cards and monetary donations, including contributions from Chuhak & Tecson employees, were also collected.

These donations will support the center’s “Baby Bucks” initiative, an incentive program that rewards parents with “baby bucks” for participating in center-based activities such as educational programs and group meetings focused on promoting the healthy development of their baby. Parents can then use their “baby bucks” to purchase items they need for their children.

“Not only does the Baby Bucks program help parents get critically needed items they may not be able to afford, it also fosters self-reliance by allowing parents to choose what their children require as opposed to being given items for free,” said Merri Ex, president and CEO of Family Focus.

Chuhak & Tecson attorneys and employees warmly welcomed attendees upon arrival. A visual presentation detailing the Nuestra Familia center’s programs played in the background while attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, wine and the firm’s custom-made C-Tini’s. Donations beautifully adorned the room and overflowed on the center table.

In the middle of the evening, attorney Leynee A. Cruz highlighted the importance of events like WHW’s Mix-and-Mingle.

“The role of women in business has never been as important as it is today,” Cruz said. “Events like tonight, with women from over 30 industries, allow us to make connections, learn from one another and develop new business.”

Mariana Osoria, vice president of Family Focus’ centers and director of the Nuestra Familia center, could not contain her overwhelming excitement as she saw women bringing in a multitude of items for Nuestra Familia.

“We feel honored to be this year’s beneficiary,” Osoria said. “I have met so many amazing women and the night is not over yet!”

The 2018 Mix-and-Mingle ended with Chuhak & Tecson‘s “biz dev” challenge, an interactive activity that encourages guests to connect on their own time for a one-hour coffee or lunch meeting to network and discuss business development.

Women Helping Women is an after-hours networking group for women business leaders and entrepreneurs to mingle, build business and support a charitable organization benefiting women or women and their children.

Chuhak & Tecson looks forward to holding WHW’s 10th anniversary event in the fall of 2019.

For information on Family Focus or the Baby Bucks program, visit family-focus.org. To learn more about Chuhak & Tecson’s WHW events or to request an invitation to next year’s event, contact Jane LaGrassa at jlagrassa@chuhak.com