Women Helping Women

At first glance, a room full of guests making friendly introductions and exchanging business cards over cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres would seem to have little connection to a woman staring at her empty closet, worrying that she has nothing suitable to wear to a critical job interview that could change the trajectory of her life. A struggling mom wishing she could give her little girl just one toy or doll to play with and a professional looking to forge new connections and develop their business may appear on the surface to be an incongruous pairing.

But to a group of attorneys at Chuhak & Tecson sitting around a table in 2009, the challenges and burdens, dreams and ambitions of all of these women were inextricably linked. It was at this meeting, as they discussed the professional obstacles they faced and the fundamental and unmet needs of struggling women throughout their communities, that Women Helping Women was born.

Since then, thousands of local attorneys, business leaders, entrepreneurs, decision makers and strategic partners have forged bonds, exchanged ideas, generated new business and shared laughter and conversation, all while bringing hope, assistance and opportunities for women facing an array of personal, parenting and economic challenges.

The Women Helping Women initiative is a deeply personal endeavor for the attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson and a source of immense pride for the firm as a whole. For the attendees who participate and the women the program helps – the rewards are both tangible and unquantifiable. It is reflected in a new business relationship between two professionals with complementary talents and objectives. It can be felt by a single mother who confidently strides into that crucial job interview in a sharp, clean ensemble. It can be seen in the smile of a child who holds a multicultural or diverse-ability doll that looks like them. And it can be reflected in the relief and sense of security felt by a woman who has found a safe haven from an abusive relationship or the horrors of human trafficking.

The cornerstone of Women Helping Women is an annual, two-hour Mix-and-Mingle networking event that brings together attendees from scores of industries across the business and professional spectrum. For each event, which consistently brings together over 150 guests, Women Helping Women identifies and partners with a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women or women and their children. For this creative, integrated approach to professional growth and community service, Women Helping Women received an IDEA award from the Association of Legal Administrators, which recognizes new practices that deliver great value and transformational impact through innovative achievement.

To date, the program has contributed to 23 philanthropic partners, including:

• Anthony’s Avengers
• Between Friends
• Box United and its Fight Like a Girl program
• Concordia Place
• Chicago House
• Jewish Child & Family Services
• Love Purse
• Magdalene House
• The Night Ministry
• The Nora Project
• The Period Collective

In Fall 2026, at its 23^rd Mix-and-Mingle, Women Helping Women will be supporting Canines 4 Comfort. A 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) located in Round Lake, Illinois, Canines 4 Comfort “transforms lives through canine companionship” by providing trained dogs free of charge to individuals, organizations and facilities to support their mental health and wellness. These furry, four-legged heroes serve in a wide range of settings and provide nuanced forms of comfort and emotional care, including providing critical support for shelters serving women escaping from domestic violence and other trauma, such as A Safe Place, the only organization in Lake County, Illinois, dedicated exclusively to sheltering and supporting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

The 2026 Mix-and-Mingle event will focus on raising funds and supplies for A Safe Place and Canines 4 Comfort. A Safe Place also has a pet pantry that provides food and goods for clients in need of assistance with their pets. So, in addition to donations received for the wonderful dogs at Canines 4 Comfort, we will be donating to the pet pantry to help women care for their pets, who, in turn, contribute to their recovery and improved well-being. Guests will be invited to bring items such as toys, leashes, training supplies, food, snacks, health and grooming supplies, dog beds and gates.

To learn more about Women Helping Women, contact Hannah Friedrich, marketing coordinator, at 312.855.4313 or hfriedrich@chuhak.com.