Chuhak & Tecson’s pioneering Women Helping Women program hosted its 2026 Mix-and-Mingle supporting Canines 4 Comfort and A Safe Place

On October 7, over 150 business leaders, entrepreneurs, decision-makers and strategic partners gathered in Chicago to connect with friends and colleagues old and new and to support a wonderful and impactful cause. The occasion was the 2026 Mix-and-Mingle for Chuhak & Tecson’s award-winning Women Helping Women program. This groundbreaking initiative has fostered professional empowerment and strengthened bonds among professionals while partnering with nonprofit organizations to provide resources and expand opportunities for women throughout Chicagoland.

At this year’s event, Women Helping Women welcomed its latest nonprofit partners, Canines 4 Comfort and A Safe Place. A Safe Place is the only organization in Lake County, Illinois, dedicated exclusively to sheltering and supporting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Canines 4 Comfort is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization, also located in Lake County, Illinois, that “transforms lives through canine companionship” by providing specially trained dogs free of charge to individuals, organizations and facilities to support their mental health and wellness. This includes Eddie, a comfort dog specially trained and placed by Canines 4 Comfort at A Safe Place. Three days a week, Eddie makes his rounds at A Safe Place, bringing comfort, reassurance, emotional support and smiles to the clients it serves.

A Safe Place also has a pet pantry that provides food and goods for clients in need of assistance with their pets who are also welcome at A Safe Place. The guests who gathered at this year’s Mix-and-Mingle contributed toys, leashes, training supplies, food, snacks, health and grooming supplies, dog beds and gates to the pet pantry to help women care for their pets, who, in turn, contribute to their recovery and improved well-being.

Lisa Wernli, executive director of Canines 4 Comfort, was both thrilled by the event’s success and grateful for the overwhelming support from Chuhak & Tecson and those in attendance.

“It was really impressive and inspiring to see so many people come together to support the work that we do and the people and organizations our dogs help,” Wernli says. “It wasn’t just the generosity shown by the outpouring of much-needed and appreciated contributions, but also the generosity of spirit shown by attendees who took a genuine interest in Canines 4 Comfort and wanted to learn more about our efforts and how they could help.”

Wernli says that the 222 items and $545.00 in cash donations collected from the event will have a tangible, immediate impact on the lives of the women A Safe Place serves, as well as on the dogs that provide them and so many others with support and a sense of peace and security.

“These items aren’t going to just sit on a shelf; they are going directly to individuals who can now feed and take care of pets that are, as any pet owner knows, family,” she says. “Additionally, these items will allow Canines 4 Comfort to sustain and expand our training and placement efforts, including placing dogs at another domestic violence center, in schools and with first responders. It’s just so important for our mission and we are so grateful for the support of Women Helping Women and all those who attended the event.”

Over the past 17 years, Women Helping Women has brought together thousands of business leaders, entrepreneurs, decision-makers and strategic partners at its annual Mix and Mingle gathering. Over delicious food and drink (including the bespoke “C-Tini” cocktail uniquely created for this event) and surrounded by dog park-themed décor befitting the beneficiaries of this year’s gathering, these accomplished professionals 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 and economic challenges.

For its creative, integrated approach to professional growth and community service, Women Helping Women was previously honored with an IDEA award from the Association of Legal Administrators, which recognizes new practices that deliver great value and transformational impact through innovative achievement.

To learn more about Women Helping Women, contact Hannah Friedrich, marketing coordinator, at 312-855-4313 or hfriedrich@chuhak.com.