Wednesday, June 21, 2023
11:30am–1:30pm
Hyatt Regency -Crystal Ballroom | Chicago, IL
11:30am–1:30pm
Hyatt Regency -Crystal Ballroom | Chicago, IL
The United Way of Metro Chicago team thanks all who attended and supported our 2023 Stronger Neighborhoods Awards Luncheon. We’re honored to work alongside dedicated leaders like Patrick G. Ryan, Peoples Gas, our corporate, civic, community, and philanthropic partners, and YOU!
Building stronger neighborhoods and creating communities where all people can flourish is the pathway to a stronger, more equitable Chicago region. Working together, we can create thriving neighborhoods for all individuals and families. Thank you for your commitment to being part of that change.
For questions about supporting or attending next year’s luncheon, please contact donorhelp@liveunitedchicago.org.
Honorees
Each year United Way recognizes honorees who exemplify what it means to LIVE UNITED.
United Way is proud to announce that this year we presented the Andrew J. McKenna Leadership Award to Patrick G. Ryan, an individual whose selfless actions have encouraged others to step forward as civic leaders and philanthropists, improving the quality of life for countless individuals and families in the Chicago region.
The Corporate Leadership Award was presented to Peoples Gas for the company’s longstanding commitment to United Way.
ANDREW J. MCKENNA
LEADERSHIP AWARD
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Patrick G. Ryan
Founder, Chairman and CEO,
Ryan Specialty
CORPORATE
LEADERSHIP AWARD
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Peoples Gas
accepted by Torrence Hinton, President
Co-Chairs
Sponsors
Thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible.
To view the full list of sponsors click here.
As of June 20, 2023
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Video Highlights
View our 2023 Luncheon Recap video and Power in Partnerships video.
Photo Gallery
View more photos from the event in our Flickr album.
Our Neighborhood Networks
Community organizations and individuals across the Chicago region are working to improve their local neighborhoods.
United Way of Metro Chicago sits at the intersection of economic opportunity and human services—we provide training, funding, resources and knowledge to bring community-driven goals of our Neighborhood Network communities to life.
Auburn Gresham
Austin
Blue Island/Robbins
Brighton Park
Bronzeville
Cicero
Elgin
Englewood
Evanston
Far South
Garfield Park
Little Village
South Chicago
West Chicago
Custom Artwork By
A Chicago native, Emmy has always been inspired by her hometown city’s unique blend of style, story, and character, which has served as a backdrop and canvas throughout much of her creative career. Emmy kickstarted her career with a BFA in visual communications from the Illinois Institute of Art, later parlaying it into a creative position in advertising at one of Chicago’s marquee agencies. There she earned her commercial stripes in branding and packaging before breaking away to pursue work as an independent artist. She’s since spent the past decade adorning public spaces across Chicago and beyond while continuing to nurture her studio practice.
Custom Artwork By
A Chicago native, Emmy has always been inspired by her hometown city’s unique blend of style, story, and character, which has served as a backdrop and canvas throughout much of her creative career.
Emmy kickstarted her career with a BFA in visual communications from the Illinois Institute of Art, later parlaying it into a creative position in advertising at one of Chicago’s marquee agencies. There she earned her commercial stripes in branding and packaging before breaking away to pursue work as an independent artist. She’s since spent the past decade adorning public spaces across Chicago and beyond while continuing to nurture her studio practice. And with current work that includes everything from illustration, lettering, and canvas work to branding, packaging, and murals, she continues to evolve both her mediums and methods.
Englewood
Englewood is one of the 77 official community areas in Chicago and is located on Chicago’s South Side.
As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2022, Englewood will build its coalition and refine its community vision over the next three years. The Englewood Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing plans and vision for strengthening its local communities, stakeholder and funder interest, and Teamwork Englewood’s high degree of readiness for implementing the model.
Far South
Approximately 98% of residents are people of color, and more than 65% are unemployed or not in the labor market.
As a new Neighborhood Network launched in 2022, Far South will be working to build its coalition and begin implementing its community vision over the next three years. The Far South Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing plans and vision, strong community leadership, stakeholder and funder interest, the proposed expansion of the Red Line, and the Far South Chicago Coalition’s high degree of readiness for implementing the Neighborhood Network model.
Garfield Park
A predominantly Black community with more than 50% of households in Garfield Park earn less than $25,000 annually.
The Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative envisions a vibrant culture where legacy and future residents experience the highest quality of life. The Garfield Park Neighborhood Network was included in the expansion of the Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2022 due to its existing coalition and articulated vision for strengthening the Garfield Park community.
Auburn Gresham
A predominantly Black community with many of the residents having experienced disinvestment, resulting in a 55 percent low income rate.
Once a swampy marshland, the neighborhood now sits at the center of one of the city’s major thoroughfares. Despite its busy location between I-94 and the Dan Ryan Expressway, Auburn Gresham is home to a hidden beauty—the Auburn Park lagoons—where neighbors still gather to fish and play. The Auburn Gresham Neighborhood Network is using catalytic development to jumpstart local economic growth and create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Increased access to healthcare, a growing green economy, and affordable housing will strengthen the neighborhood significantly.
Austin
Divestment & inequality in the 1960s sent real estate prices plummeting. Today, 57% of the population is low income.
The Austin Neighborhood Network was formed in 2010 after a group of like-minded community leaders, identifying as Austin Coming Together (ACT), joined forces to discuss how to better coordinate efforts to create systemic change in their community. In 2016, in partnership with United Way, ACT released Thrive 2025, a strategy which sets bold “impact goals” to help Austin improve early childhood education outcomes, community revitalization efforts, and access to living wage employment opportunities for residents. Austin is moving towards its goal of providing high-quality learning opportunities to low-income children and ensuring residents have access to living wage employment and a pathway to homeownership.
Blue Island/Robbins
The two communities are 41 percent Latinx, 38 percent Black and 17 percent white. The low income rate for Blue Island is approximately 19% and Robbins is approximately 39%.
The Blue Island / Robbins Neighborhood Network combines two neighborhoods that, at first glance, look very different. What they do have in common, however, is a geographic border and a population that has significant need for services, especially around food insecurity. The Blue Island /Robbins Neighborhood Network is committed to creating a more vibrant community for every resident by improving household incomes, access to quality health care, and access to healthy foods.
Brighton Park
Home to about 45,000 residents, 83 percent of whom identify as Latinx. Today, 58 percent of the population is considered low income.
In 2010, Brighton Park was identified as a high need community but there were no social service intermediaries and funding was lacking. However, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) was an active organization focused on community schools and after-school programs. BPNC was drawn to the idea of working with other community organizations to offer broader support to families and residents. As a result, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Network was established in 2012. The coalition now has 40 partners that include schools, hospitals, social service providers, city departments, elected officials, and small businesses.
Bronzeville
Home to about 68,000 people, of which approximately 78 percent are Black.
In the mid 20th century, racially motivated housing policies created a chasm of disinvestment and has resulted in a greater than 50 percent low income rate today. Nevertheless, a rich history and revitalization efforts maintain this vibrant community. The Bronzeville Neighborhood Network is addressing the community’s needs through a multi-pronged approach to reduce violence and increase healthy living opportunities.
Cicero
Home to about 83,000 people, primarily of Latinx descent.
Despite facing an 18% poverty rate, Cicero is experiencing a community revival as residents come together to continue building a stronger community around shared goals. In 2004, members of the Cicero community created the Cicero Youth Task Force (CYTF) to address the root causes of gang violence. Over the next decade, the group engaged parents, schools and the local police department in their efforts to create a safer community. United Way joined with CYTF in 2016 to create the Cicero Neighborhood Network, renaming to become the Cicero Community Collaborative. In 2018, Cicero was selected as one of four communities nationwide to receive the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize.
Evanston
Median household incomes are approximately $30,000 in the least affluent areas yet more than $100,000 in the most affluent areas. 26 percent of Evanston residents are low income.
The United Way Neighborhood Network in Evanston, led by Evanston Cradle to Career (EC2C), was formed in 2016. This partnership leverages a pre-existing network of 40 public sector, nonprofit, academic, and faith-based organizations. Using a “collective impact” strategy, The Evanston Neighborhood Network, with lead partner Evanston Cradle to Career, is using a “collective impact” strategy to overcome the obstacles that have created long-standing inequities by identifying gaps, challenging systems, and building trust among all facets of their community.
Little Village
Home to about 75,000 people—a largely Latinx population. Decades of systemic disinvestment have lead to a 67 percent low-income rate.
This vibrant Latinx neighborhood wanted a more resilient community for its residents; however, resources were lacking in the northeast part of the neighborhood—Marshall Square. A coalition of agencies and community organizations, already working together to share resources and training, provided the ideal partnership for the Little Village Neighborhood Network. The Little Village Neighborhood Network, now composed of 33 actively participating agencies, is committed to supporting the health and well-being of residents in Little Village and Marshall Square.
South Chicago
Once a booming industrial center for immigrants, deindustrialization has left this neighborhood with a 61 percent low income rate.
The South Chicago Neighborhood Network is currently compromised of 20 community groups who include local block club members, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and higher education institutions. The South Chicago Neighborhood Network is focused on improving the safety of the community by reducing domestic and gun violence. In partnership with local schools and nonprofit agencies, South Chicago is committed to creating a trauma-informed community that is dedicated to supporting a culture of care for residents impacted by violence.
West Chicago
Over the past few decades, many Latinx families have settled in West Chicago, and they now compose 53 percent of the population. While these are all positive indicators, 37.5 percent of the population remains low income.
With a coalition of 42 Network partners, six family liaisons, three community mental health clinicians, and six working groups, the West Chicago Neighborhood Network is committed to supporting and enhancing the health, safety, and well-being of children and families through a collaborative, coordinated, and comprehensive approach from West Chicago schools and community.
Marriott Marquis 2121 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago
Thursday, June 2, 2022 11:30am–1:30pm
For more information, please visit pjhchicago.com
Questions?
Please email Molly McDonald at
mmcdonald@pjhchicago.com
A Chicago native, Emmy has always been inspired by her hometown city’s unique blend of style, story, and character, which has served as a backdrop and canvas throughout much of her creative career. Emmy kickstarted her career with a BFA in visual communications from the Illinois Institute of Art, later parlaying it into a creative position in advertising at one of Chicago’s marquee agencies. There she earned her commercial stripes in branding and packaging before breaking away to pursue work as an independent artist. She’s since spent the past decade adorning public spaces across Chicago and beyond while continuing to nurture her studio practice. And with current work that includes everything from illustration, lettering, and canvas work to branding, packaging, and murals, she continues to evolve both her mediums and methods. At the center of her eclectic and diverse portfolio are a whole host of creative partnerships with iconic brands such as Sharpie, Chicago Bulls, Lululemon, Yeti, RedBull, Delta, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Vital Proteins, Foxtrot and Soho House. They tap Emmy for her signature style, which is both extroverted and introspective. She employs fresh colors, intentional layering, and emotive line work to create one-of-a-kind elemental experiences that drive wonder, spark connection, and encourage presence. To date, her work has lived in a host of iconic public spaces from Times Square to Miami’s Wynwood Art District and beyond. And while her scope continues to expand, so does her artistic vision. Her current studio practice is focused on the concept of the Inner Child, highlighting the joy, spontaneity, and fearlessness synonymous with our younger selves. This work serves as a visual journey back to self where our purest forms of playfulness, creative confidence, and imagination come forward. Learn more at emmystarbrown.com
John’s passion for investing began at age 12 when his father began buying him stocks as Christmas and birthday gifts. His interest in equities grew at Princeton University, where he majored in economics, and over the two-plus years he worked as a stockbroker for William Blair & Company, LLC. In 1983, John founded Ariel to focus on patient, value investing within small- and medium-sized companies. Early in his career, John’s investment acumen brought him to the forefront of media attention and culminated in him being selected as Co-Mutual Fund Manager of the Year by Sylvia Porter’s Personal Finance magazine as well as an All-Star Mutual Fund Manager by USA TODAY. Furthermore, John has been highlighted alongside legendary investors Warren Buffett, Sir John Templeton and Ben Graham in the distinguished book: The World’s 99 Greatest Investors by Magnus Angenfelt. His professional accomplishments extend to the boardroom where he is a member of the board of directors of McDonald’s, NIKE, The New York Times Company, and Ryan Specialty Group Holdings. John also serves as vice chair of the board of trustees of the University of Chicago. Additionally, he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a director of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. In 2008, John was awarded Princeton University’s highest honor, the Woodrow Wilson Award, presented each year to the alumnus or alumna whose career embodies a commitment to national service. Following the election of President Barack Obama, John served as co-chair for the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009, and more recently, he joined the Barack Obama Foundation’s Board of Directors. John received an AB in economics from Princeton University, where he was also captain of the varsity basketball team.
For more than one hundred years, the success of the ITW business model has been complemented by a set of core values that include giving back to the communities where ITW colleagues live and work. ITW has been making a difference within communities for more than 70 years. Nationally, ITW is United Way’s top manufacturing partner. And in the Chicago region, ITW consistently ranks among United Way’s top 10 corporate partners. Approximately seven out of ten ITW employees annually give to United Way, contributing tens of millions of dollars over the life of the partnership. ITW employees participate in large-scale volunteer events and serve on United Way’s Board of Directors, multiple Affinity Groups, and CSR Executive Committee. ITW was an early donor to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund and invested $2 million dollars to help bridge the digital divide to Chicago Connected. ITW also supports multiple United Way events and programs every year, most notably our Stronger Neighborhoods Awards. As a part of its Do More Agenda, ITW is committed to supporting more inclusive economic growth and opportunities in disinvested communities. As part of this commitment, United Way is thrilled to announce ITW’s partnership as a cornerstone investor in the development and implementation of the Commit to a Neighborhood Initiative.