On October 1, the 1st Annual “Dare to Dream” Gala was hosted at Galleria Marchetti banquet hall by the Chicago Dream Center, a non-profit organization of New Life Covenant Ministries. Mayor Richard M. Daley, Governor Pat Quinn and City Treasurer Stephanie Neely co-chaired this successful fundraiser. Over 300 supporters attended, including Senator Iris Martínez, Commissioner Joe Berrios and Commissioner Edwin Reyes.
In 2007, Reverend Wilfredo De Jesús, senior pastor of New Life Covenant, had a vision to provide comprehensive services to homeless women and aid them in overcoming drugs, prostitution, alcoholism and poverty. Since then, he has expanded this successful program to include the AXIS teen girl’s shelter and the latest addition, the AXIS teen boy’s shelter. The boy’s shelter is located at 1638 N. California Avenue and will not only offer the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter to these young men but also job and life skills training. What truly distinguishes this shelter is that it will provide the safety, support, faith, hope and love that is needed for these young men to grow into responsible and productive members of society.
The 1st Annual “Dare to Dream” Gala raised $47,000 to support the rehabilitation of the AXIS teen boy’s shelter, which is in need of a complete gut/rehab costing approximately $250,000. On behalf of the Chicago Dream Center, thank you to all the sponsors, individual donors and volunteers. For more information or to contribute, please call the Chicago Dream Center at (773) 384-2200.
by Veronica Ocasio
