Winter 2015 - Canine Therapy Corps

SPEAK!
Vol. 24, No. 2, Winter 2015 | Canine Therapy Corps newsletter
Photo courtesy of Martha Irvine
A Stormy Night Led to Big Excitement at Unleashed 2015
By Ann Davidson
It was a dark and stormy night. Heavy rain
and waves pummeled the good ship MV
Abegweit. While it might sound like the
beginning of a suspenseful movie, nothing
could dampen the warm hearts and bright
smiles of Canine Therapy Corps’ supporters
as we celebrated our annual fundraiser,
Unleashed! at Columbia Yacht Club on
September 18. Guests stayed safe and warm
under a beautifully lit tent, and enjoyed
watching nature’s beautiful lightning show
above Lake Michigan from the deck of the
ship. A little thunder couldn’t stop the party
as over 250 guests enjoyed a truly unique
and stunning evening against the backdrop
of the beautiful Chicago skyline.
Attendees enjoyed delicious culinary treats
and a bar stocked with seemingly infinite
options to choose from. Among the favorites were a hearty taco and sliders bar as
well as the decadent lobster macaroni and
cheese. For those who saved room, the
s’mores bar provided a scrumptious dessert
to cap the night off. Among the features of
the bar was a delicious Key Gin Mule cock-
tail created by Columbia Yacht Club, featuring CH Distillery’s Key Gin, one of our fantastic event sponsors. Lagunitas Brewing
Company, another event sponsor, also
donated an array of their delicious craft
beers for the event.
Guests had no shortage of entertainment
throughout the evening. A photo booth
gave attendees the chance to show their silly
side and memorialize the evening, while
Martha Irvine photographed the event at
large, capturing candid moments between
guests. Our extensive silent auction allowed
guests to bid on unique packages, all from
the convenience of their mobile phones.
Among the prizes were unique sports packages, high-end clothing, theater tickets, restaurant gift cards, salon services, rare alcohol, and much, much more. Bidders also
endeavored to help support Canine Therapy
Corps’ “SuperDogs” with donations to purchase much needed equipment for our programs. Adding to the ambiance was music
from a DJ, and as the night pressed on, the
dance floor heated up!
A special thanks goes out to our Rescue Dog: Barbara and Jon
amazing sponsors for supporting Brightman, Bruce and Deborah
the event and our valuable work: Crown, Ken and Julie Fixler,
Carrie and Laurence Grant,
Debra and Jordan Hadelman,
Mullooly Carey Foundation,
and Northwestern Memorial
Hospital
Bulldog: Noelle Gaffney and
Lisa Wiersma
No Canine Therapy Corps event would be
complete without the stars of the show: the
“SuperDogs” themselves! We were joined by
Dude, Petey, Fannie, Gemma, Bliss, Buddy,
and Piper, who visited with guests and
showed off their skills throughout the evening. We also honored our volunteers celebrating anniversaries, as well as the recipients of the McCarthy Award for Excellence
in Leadership and the Steve & Polly
Grubman Volunteer of the Year Award.
We can’t thank our guests enough for braving the storms for a fun night at Columbia
Yacht Club, as well as everyone who made
donations and participated in the silent auction. Unleased 2015
was a valuable fundraising event which
will power our goaldirected animal-assisted interventions and
allow us to provide
services to those who
need it most, free of
charge.
Photo courtesy of
Dachshund: Advocate
Children’s Hospital, Keshet,
Chicago Children’s Advocacy
Center, CH Distillery, Easter
Seals Autism Therapeutic
School, Marjorie Getz and
David Sheftel, Tim Hudson and
Bethany Biesenthal, Family Pet
Animal Hospital, Eowyn and
Matt Ford, The Garvey Group,
Martha Irvine
Martha Irvine, Lagunitas
Brewing Company, Julie
Muccillo and Matt Pollack,
Rehabilitation Institute of
Chicago, The Revel Group,
Danny Romano, Amanda
Sonneborn and Pete Malecki,
and Swedish Covenant Hospital
SPEAK!
Kibbles and Bits
We’ve had a whopping twelve dog teams
join our ranks recently! Passing the test in
June were Katherine Sredl & Winston, a
boxer, Jaime McNally & Jack, a Blue
Heeler/Labrador mix, Bradley Blankenship
& Cosi, a Redbone Coonhound mix,
Timothy Sheil & Saving Graces (Gracie),
a Labrador Retriever, and Canine Therapy
Corps’ own Operations Manager Ann
Davidson & Rocko, a German Shepherd
mix. Joining Canine Therapy Corps in
August were Francis De Asis and Mary
Grace Bautista & Samson, a Labradoodle,
Genevieve Bookwalter & Stitches, a
shepherd mix, Mary O’Connell & Hana, a
Labradoodle, Janet Courter & Tucker, a
German Shepherd, Tamara Gansz &
Leeloo, a pit bull mix, Alyssa Cunningham
& Aliyah, a Beagle/Jack Russell Terrier mix,
and Canine Therapy Corps’ own Program
Leader Sara Bomze & Bentley, an
American Pit Bull Terrier. We’re so thrilled
to have these amazing humans and canines
start volunteering in our programs!
We are also pleased to announce two new
professional program leaders who have
come on board. Our Swedish Covenant
SPEAK!
Vol. 24, No. 2, Winter 2015
Executive Director – Callandre Cozzolino
Operations Manager – Ann M. Davidson
Layout – Quicker Printers
SPEAK! c/o Canine Therapy Corps
1700 W Irving Park Road, Suite 311
Chicago IL 60613
Phone: 773-404-6467
Fax: 773-404-6759
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.caninetherapycorps.org
SPEAK! is the official publication of Canine Therapy
Corps, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to motivating individuals with special challenges through animalassisted therapy programs using certified therapy dogs. This
publication may not be reproduced or copied in whole or
in part by any means without the express permission of
Canine Therapy Corps. We have used our best efforts in
collecting and preparing material for inclusion in this
newsletter, but cannot warrant that the information contained is complete or accurate. Canine Therapy Corps does
not assume, and hereby disclaims, liability to any person for
any loss or damage caused by errors or omission.
Submissions may be edited for length, style, and clarity;
they become the property of Canine Therapy Corps.
Copyright © 2015 Canine Therapy Corps, Inc. All rights reserved.
Page 2
Katherine Sredl & Winston
Jaime McNally & Jack
Bradley Blankenship & Cosi
Donations
Donations in memory, or in honor of, a special person or pet are always welcome and help us continue providing our
programs free of charge. Canine Therapy Corps is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your gift is tax exempt to the extent
permitted by law.
Donations made to Canine Therapy Corps through October 2015:
Foundations and Corporations:
Amazon Smile Foundation
Audrey Love Charitable Foundation
Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation
Council for Physically Challenged
Children
Edmond & Alice Opler Foundation
Horizons Unlimited Foundation
Leo S. Guthman Fund
Mercer/Marsh & McLennan Companies
(MMC)
Over Under Clothing
Planet Dog Foundation
Revel Cares
Reverie
Sweet Mandy B’s
Verizon Foundation
Walter J. and Edith E. Best Foundation
The Wanda Muntwyler Foundation
Gifts:
Rebecca Bennett
Carolyn Chandler
Clara Chun
Callie Cozzolino and Louis
Greenebaum
Dr. Robert Dann
Evelyn Diaz and Josh Walsman
Bryan and Yu-Li Ford
Andy Frazier
Eileen Garvey
Peter Gennuso
Matthew and Sylvia Gilliana
Darcy Goldfarb
Carrie and Laurence Grant
Jan Grimstad
Susan Inverso
Ginnie Johnson
Martha Johnson
Laura and Scott Knudsen
Marianne Loftus
Margaret and Daniel Lupiani
William Mattingly
Kevin McCaskey
Kylie McDonald
Tomasz Milewski
Rhonda Milkowski
Julie Muccillo and Matt Pollack
Susan and Brad Oltmanns
Mike and Michelle O’Sullivan
Joe Ransdell
Sharyn and Edward Reiff
Cole Robertson
Danielle Schultz
Sue Ann Selle
Mary and Michael Semik
Paulette Solinski
Connie and Kelly Smith
Cindy Sobel and Matt Greiner
Lynda Stein
James Tibensky
Corey Turner
Milton Zale
In Honor Of:
Barb Brightman by William McNickle
Callie Cozzolino by Jim and Linda
Cozzolino
Rou, Swindle and Callie Cozzolino by
Cynthia Bathurst and Jim Rodgers
Mary Dellorto and her dogs by Linda
and Lawrence Waco
Sonny Fixler by Stuart Frankenthal
Natalie and Polly Grubman by Julie
O’Brien
Judy Keitz by Anthony Pacenti
Ernie Banks Lerner by Marci Lerner
Kate Mead by Robert Mead
Dean Olson by Owen Alford, Patrick
Bindel, Nicholas A. Confer, Jeremiah
Graham, Judith Olson, Lars E. Olson,
Richard A. Olson, Karly Olson, Drew
Olson, Kyle Olson, Ben Rhodes, Scott
Williamsen, and Marie-Paule
Zimmer
Rosie by Janet Donahue
In Memory Of:
Robert Brock by Rayna and Robert
Ellis, Kristi Marth, and Barb and
Dick Williams
Steve Grubman by Jim and Barbara
Monroe
Roxy Ruth by Bryce and Christine
Grevemeyer
Tessie Singer by Skip and Michele
Rosenmutter
Baguette Slomowitz, Ria Bloom, and
Daffie Hadelman by Scott Allen
Barber
Storm by Gail Berg
Periodically, Canine Therapy Corps is the fortunate beneficiary of estate bequests from individuals who were affiliated with CTC,
benefitted from our work, or wanted to honor someone who worked diligently on our behalf. These gifts are particularly meaningful, not only because of the significant financial implications, but also because they affirm the impact our work has on people’s lives.
If you are interested in remembering CTC through such a bequest, or other planned gift, we would love to support you in doing so.
If you need additional information, please contact Callie Cozzolino ([email protected] or 773.404.6467). Thank you!
Winter 2015
SPEAK!
2015 Anniversary and Award Honorees
Jerry Kirkpatrick & Dude
Shelly Gasper
Andrea Freedberg & Petey
2015 Steve & Polly Grubman Volunteer
of the Year Award
and
5-Year Volunteers
2015 McCarthy Award for Excellence in
Leadership
5-Year Volunteers
Petey
Shelly Gasper
Dude
Shelly Gasper’s relationship with Canine
Therapy Corps (then Chenny Troupe)
Jerry & Dude passed CTC’s certification
dates all the way back to 1996, when she
test in November 2010. Since then, they
have made substantial contributions to the and her Golden Retriever, Jordan, became
organization and its programming. Dude is a certified therapy dog team. Shelly and
Jordan volunteered at RIC and Lincoln
loved by patients at the Rehabilitation
Park Hospital, and Shelly became a
Institute of Chicago, where Dude can be
found being pushed around in a chair (his volunteer program leader at Somerset
Place in 2002. After Jordan passed away in
personal favorite), dramatically playing
2006, Shelly took a brief hiatus from CTC,
dead, or channeling his inner Beethoven
but returned to contribute her professional
playing the piano, among many, many,
experience, helping CTC launch its
many other tricks in his repertoire.
program at Easter Seals Therapeutic
Jerry & Dude are also well-known in CTC
School and Center for Autism research in
outreach circles. They were among our
2009. CTC’s program at Easter Seals has
first teams to patricipate in university
flourished under her leadership ever since.
de-stress events, which are now an
Shelly was CTC’s first professional
organizational staple, and they have also
program leader, and thanks in no small
participated in countless other outreach
part to her consummate leadership and the
events, including Camp I Am Me and the
success of the Easter Seals program, CTC
Illinois Warrior Summit.
began adopting a professional leadership
Thank you so much, Jerry & Dude. We
model organization-wide in Fall 2103.
look forward to many more years!
Shelly’s relationship with CTC has spanned
nearly two decades. CTC has seen Shelly
get married and have two beautiful
daughters, and we look forward to many
more milestones. Thank you!
Andrea and Petey passed CTC’s
certification test in January 2010. Andrea
& Petey found their calling working with
children in the hematology and oncology
department at Advocate Children’s
Hospital - Park Ridge. Here, they cultivated
deep bonds with many children and their
families and provided comfort, affection,
and friendship at a time when it was much
needed. Recently, they are excited to have
embarked on a new journey, volunteering
with teenagers at Heartland Alliance. Petey
is known for his genuine warmth, love, and
snuggling abilities.
Thanks, Andrea & Petey for five years of
devoted service!
Naomi Keller
5-Year Volunteer
Naomi and Oberon
continued on page 4
Winter 2015
Page 3
SPEAK!
2015 Anniversary Honorees cont. from page 3
Naomi came to CTC via the Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago. After supporting our
program as a RIC volunteer, she became
oriented with CTC and handled Bonnie
Blue and Prada at RIC. A job change in
2012 made volunteering at RIC untenable,
but we are grateful Naomi stayed involved,
switching to CTC’s physical rehabilitation
program at Swedish Covenant Hospital,
co-handling Mary Dellorto’s therapy dogs
Bliss and Rivet.
Here’s to you, Bill & Scout. Heartfelt
thanks!
Sheryl & Libby, Fannie’s sister, passed
CTC’s certification test in March 2010.
Paul Schiff & Fannie
Sheryl & Libby have a particular affinity
and talent for work with children. They
started at Children’s Home + Aid’s Daniel
F. and Ada L. Rice Child + Family Center,
working with at-risk children. They also
worked at Ariella Joy Frankel Keshet Day
School. Now, their home base is Advocate
Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge, where
they work with children and treating
therapists in outpatient pediatric therapies.
Here, Sheryl & Libby participate in
amazing, entertaining biannual talent
shows with their proud patients.
5-Year Volunteers
Thanks, Naomi, for five amazing years! We
look forward to at least five more.
Bill Lennon & Scout
5-Year Volunteers
Fannie
Fannie passed CTC’s certification test in
June 2010 alongside Paul’s wife, Sheryl.
Scout
Bill & Scout passed CTC’s certification test
in August 2010. Since the beginning, they
have worked at Lawrence Hall Youth
Services where Scout’s uncanny ability to
learn the most difficult tricks keeps the
youth on their toes and motivates them to
work hard and persevere.
Although they shy away from any heaping
of praise, you will often find Bill & Scout
spending Thanksgiving and Christmas
holidays visiting hospitalized patients at
Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Even
Scout’s knee surgery didn’t keep them
away. As soon as Scout’s veterinarian
cleared her to go back to work, Bill brought
her to NMH in a wagon so she could dole
out her love.
Page 4
Although you can now find them at
Advocate Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge
and Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center,
Paul & Fannie have volunteered their
services in so many CTC programs, from
Haymarket Center to Heartland Alliance
and Lawrence Hall Youth Services, not to
mention a plethora of outreach events.
Paul & Fannie often work at therapy dog
certification tests, where Fannie is one of
our rockstar meet and greet dogs. Paul &
Fannie even represent CTC in an
upcoming movie (Who Gets the Dog?).
Sheryl & Libby are former recipients of
CTC's Volunteer of the Year Award.
Thank you for all you have done and will
do!
Magda Wojtowicz & Layla
5-Year Volunteers
For all the places you’ve been, and for all
the places you’ll go - thank you, Paul &
Fannie.
Sheryl Schiff & Libby
5-Year Volunteers
Layla
Magda and Layla passed CTC’s
certification test in March 2010.
Since that time they have been staples at
Advocate Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge,
and despite this being a volunteer role,
Magda and Layla take their job very
seriously. Over the course of their career,
Magda has taught Layla a variety of new
skills to help better serve their patients,
Libby
continued on page 5
Winter 2015
SPEAK!
2015 Anniversary Honorees cont. from page 4
and Magda is working with ACH program
leader Mary Burke to create an animalassisted therapy handbook.
Josh Walsman & Buddy
Jessica Tartof & Piper
5-Year Volunteers
5-Year Volunteers
Thank you, Magda and Layla, for going
above and beyond.
Ben and Hayley Raatz & Bernard
5-Year Volunteers
Buddy
Josh & Buddy passed CTC’s certification
test in January 2010.
They began their career at Children’s
Home + Aid’s Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice
Child + Family Center, working with
Ben & Bernard passed CTC’s certification
at-risk children, but moved to Easter Seals
test in March 2010.
Autism Therapeutic School and Center for
Ben, Hayley, and Bernard worked in CTC’s Autism Research in 2011. Josh & Buddy
program at the Rehabilitation Institute of
have been such an important part of the
Chicago until Bernard was diagnosed with program at Easter Seals where Buddy’s
cancer last year. Don’t worry! He’s in
predictable, patient, and gentle nature has
remission! Bernard’s large stature belies a
helped them earn the trust of many
gentle and sweet personality and great
students who were initially skeptical of
sense of humor. Kids at RIC particularly
dogs. In addition to their work at Easter
loved Bernard, and Bernard loved them.
Seals, Josh & Buddy recently returned to
We hope Bernard will eventually return to their roots when they began volunteering
his job that he loved so much. Nonetheless, at Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center.
his legacy speaks for itself. Thank you,
Thanks, Josh & Buddy, for helping so many
Ben, Hayley, and Bernard!
kids.
Piper
Bernard
Jessica & Piper passed CTC’s certification
test in November 2010. Despite being blind
(she has prosthetic eyes), Piper passed the
test on the first attempt (without any
special accommodations), a valiant
accomplishment for any dog.
Jessica & Piper volunteer in the outpatient
pediatric therapy department at Advocate
Children’s Hospital – Park Ridge. Here,
they are shining examples of how having a
condition some may perceive as a disability
doesn’t have to keep you from doing what
you dream.
Apart from therapy work, Jessica & Piper
have also made a name for themselves
and other specially-abled pets by
competing in Rally Obedience. In late2014, Piper earned her Rally Master
Champion title. Jessica & Piper were also
featured in "Reporting for Service with
Bryan Anderson."
Thank you, Jessica & Piper for being such
outstanding role models for your patients.
Winter 2015
Page 5
SPEAK!
Kibbles & Bits continued from page 2
Hospital physical rehabilitation program is
now helmed by Paulette Solinski, a dog
trainer, and Jeanine Freeberg, a physical
therapist. We are so fortunate to have these
well-qualified individuals taking the reins of
this program to help our volunteers come
up with creative new exercises for our
participants and impart greater knowledge
about the people we work with. Welcome
aboard!
In addition to our regularly offered
programs, Canine Therapy Corps
volunteers have been hard at work
providing outreach and education to
organizations around the city over the past
several months.
JUNE: Caroline Bodnar & Louie, Sydney
Steverson & Bentley, Nicole Goode &
Bebe, and Sandy Jaggi & Mio visited
students at DePaul University to help them
de-stress during final exams week. Canine
Therapy Corps staff visited the McGaw
YMCA summer camp to educate students
on therapy dogs and their many uses.
Executive Director Callie Cozzolino &
Rou presented a continuing education
program for drug and alcohol counselors at
Haymarket Center’s 21st Annual Summer
Institute on Addiction. Candice Olson &
Duchess provided valuable therapy for
children with autism at City Elementary.
Severe special needs students at Oak Park
and River Forest High School were
delighted by a visit from Donna Glassman
& Emma Rose. Staff at Rush University
Medical Center enjoyed some time to
decompress and de-stress with our therapy
dog teams Lori Schneider & Sedona, Ann
Davidson & Rou, and Callie Cozzolino &
Swindle at their monthly “Pet Pause” event.
Timothy Sheil & Saving
Graces (Gracie)
Ann Davidson & Rocko
Arrangement (CILA) to give the residents a
much needed diversion during the
oppressive summer heat.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER: Sydney
Steverson & Bentley and Ann Davidson &
Rou visited with Roosevelt University
students waiting to take depression
screenings during a mental health event. We
returned to Rush University Medical Center
for more monthly “Pet Pause” staff de-stress
events, with Sydney Steverson & Bentley
joining us in September and Callie
Mary O’Connell & Hana, Tamara Gansz &
Cozzolino & Rou and Eileen
Leeloo, Genevieve Bookwalter & Stitches
Fitzsimmons & Swindle joining us in
and Janet Courter & Tucker
October.
NOVEMBER: CTC’s article, entitled
"Helping at-risk youth overcome trauma
and substance abuse through animalassisted therapy" was published in
Contemporary Justice Review: Issues in
Criminal, Social, and Restorative Justice.
Thanks to Melissa Kelly for locating this
opportunity.
In other exciting news, congratulations to
volunteers Natalie Grubman and Garrett
JULY: Sydney Steverson & Bentley
Lorentz and Young Professionals Board
attended the Englewood Community
members Jon Fixler and Chris Paloian on
Health Fair and helped guests and
their nuptials this November. We wish you
volunteers understand the merits of therapy infinite happiness. Heartfelt congratulations
dogs. Ann Davidson & Rocko and Nicole to volunteer Alexis Hubbard and her
Goode & Bebe were greeted warmly on our husband Ryan on the birth of their son,
return to Rush University Medical Center
Nathan, who joined the world in June.
for another “Pet Pause” staff de-stress event. Accidental omission: Congratulations to
AUGUST: Ann Davidson & Rocko visited
both the Bishop Conway Supportive Living
Residence during their summer carnival as
well as a Community Integrated Living
Page 6
Francis De Asis and Mary
Grace Bautista & Samson
Sara Bomze & Bentley and Alyssa
Cunningham & Aliyah
Young Professionals Board member Max
Kaplan and his fiancée Rachel Geller on
their engagement (which happened back in
April)!
Winter 2015
SPEAK!
In Memoriam
also visited Lindblom Math and Science
Academy, bringing joy to special needs
students. Even as a young dog, Dezi’s calm,
graceful, friendly personality attracted many
people to her. She was an irreplaceable
therapy dog, perfectly suited to this work.
Canine Therapy Corps is fortunate and
grateful that this special dog touched so
many lives through our organization.
Dezi
Photo courtesy of Joy Schmoll
Dezi, a blue merle Collie, passed Canine
Therapy Corps’ (then Chenny Troupe’s)
certification test in March 2004 when she
was just over a year old. A rare therapy dog
who accumulates 10 years of service, Dezi,
alongside her handlers Thea and John,
began her therapy dog career working in
CTC’s psychosocial program at Somerset
Place, which served mentally ill adults.
When that program ended in 2008, Dezi
continued working with CTC, participating
in outreach events. Her specialty was scout
troops (oh how they loved her!), but she
Gemma, certified in 2006, is fifth in a
legacy of nine therapy dogs Mary Dellorto
has certified with Canine Therapy Corps
since 1994. During her nine-year career,
Gemma spent countless hours working with
physical rehabilitation patients at Lincoln
Park and Swedish Covenant hospitals, as
well as with at-risk youth at Lawrence Hall
Youth Services. She also spent many
wonderful summers at Camp I Am Me and
the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure (an
opportunity Mary suggested we seek out).
She also participated in outreach for Girl
Scouts and stressed-out college students. In
2008, Gemma was a runner-up for the
AKC’s Awards of Canine Excellence (ACE)
Gemma
Photo courtesy of Joy Schmoll
therapy dog category. Gemma, a
consummate obedience competitor, was the
#1 obedience Doberman Pinscher in the
country in 2010, and she ranked in the top
10 during numerous other years (#4 in
2011, #5 in 2009, #2 in 2008, #3 in 2007, #2
in 2006, #5 in 2005, and #12 in 2004). There
were few things Gemma liked more than
working for patients’ affection. CTC will be
eternally grateful for Gemma’s contributions
and her compassion.
Tell Us Your Canine Therapy Corps Stories!
Has Canine Therapy Corps touched your life in some tangible way? Have you had personal
experience working or volunteering with our therapy dogs? We want to hear from you! We would love
to share your stories. The Canine Therapy Corps office started a collection of anecdotes about how
our therapy dogs and volunteer work have impacted people’s lives. If you have a story to share,
please call 773.404.6467 or e-mail [email protected]. We look forward to speaking with
you soon!
Wishing you and yours
PEACE, LOVE, and JOY
this holiday season!
Winter 2015
Page 7
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Chicago, Illinois
Permit No. 6461
1700 W Irving Park Road, Suite 311
Chicago, IL 60613
www.caninetherapycorps.org
SPEAK!
Save theDate
February 27, 2016
Photo courtesy of Harold Blum
Location: Revel Downtown 440 W Randolph Street, Chicago, IL
Canine Therapy Corps’ Young Professionals Board is already in the planning stages for the 5th annual Black & White Gala.
The Black & White Gala is one of CTC’s largest events, and to celebrate the event’s 5th year, the YPB is going all out!
From visits with therapy dogs and a lively dance floor to unique, highly sought after silent auction items,
and amazing food from some of Chicago’s hottest restaurants, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Keep an eye out for formal invitations shortly. A special 5th year Gala celebration rate will be available to our loyal supporters.
Want to see photos from the 2015 Black & White Gala? Check out our photo album on the CTC Facebook page!