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

For 17 years, Chuhak & Tecson’s award-winning Women Helping Women 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.

The cornerstone of Women Helping Women is the annual, two-hour, invitation-only Mix-and-Mingle networking event that draws attendees from scores of industries across the business and professional spectrum. For each gathering, 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 its 23rd Mix-and-Mingle, set for October 7, 2026, Women Helping Women will be supporting A Safe Place and Canines 4 Comfort.  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) located in Round Lake, Illinois that “transforms lives through canine companionship” by providing 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 a sense of comfort, reassurance, emotional support and smiles to the clients he serves.

Ashley Coppola, a principal at Chuhak & Tecson who focuses her practice on contested trust and estate matters, first learned of Canines 4 Comfort when she met Desi, a facility dog placed by Canines 4 Comfort at the 19^th Judicial Circuit Court in Waukegan. From her own practice, she understands how much these animals can help people manage, navigate and overcome traumatic ordeals or challenging circumstances.

“My clients are often confronting difficult decisions involving an incapacitated loved one or disputes that may be fraying their family,” Coppola says. “To reduce the intensity of those interactions, I began bringing my own dog, Penny, to meetings with clients I knew enjoyed animals. She had a remarkable ability to bring an immediate sense of calm, comfort and even joy, which made these difficult conversations a little easier. I know that Eddie is doing the same for the women at A Safe Place and I am proud that we get to support their critical work.”

In addition to business development opportunities, the 2026 Mix-and-Mingle will focus on raising funds and supplies to provide vital support to women escaping from domestic violence or who have been through other, equally traumatic experiences. A Safe Place also has a pet pantry that provides food and goods for clients in need of assistance with their own pets. 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. With guidance from Canines for Comfort, we have curated this Amazon wish list and encourage guests who want to donate to peruse the list and contribute to our efforts.

As we come together for great conversation, hors d’oeuvres, wine — and our delicious C-Tini, specially designed for our evening — we will all mix and mingle with each other while supporting this organization benefiting women in need. Lisa Wernli, executive director of Canines 4 Comfort, will talk about Canines 4 Comfort and its important mission at A Safe Place and elsewhere.

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