Plumes, brims and hairbands redefined the phrase "Sunday Best" at the Howard Browns Health Center's (HBHC) "Mad Hatter's Brunch" fundraiser for the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) on April 7 at ZED451 restaurant.
But the real eye-catcher was the BYC itself, whose services were highlighted and honored, as well as its staff.
HBHC Executive Committee Chair Duke Alden spoke briefly about the strong leadership of Interim President Karma Israelsen.
"She has been a valuable steward of the organization and we have expanded with her," he said.
Alden then introduced BYC Director Lara Brooks, who highlighted the work of the BYC in 2012, some of which were printed on the back of the event's menu.
"What these numbers don't tell you is that we have the honor and privilege of focusing our efforts on meeting, in a profoundly holistic way, the needs of youth who are street-based or experiencing homelessness, LGBT youth, youth who are pregnant and parenting, low-income youth, and youth who have survived tremendous trauma," Brooks said in a speech.
Brooks expressed a need to share this holistic approach, an approach in which all services are provided in one place and easily accessible, with the LGBT community at-large.
"We feel that it's important for Chicago to know that a model with everything under one roof is really important," she told Windy City Times.
Brooks said events like this are about creating visibility for such a model, which she calls "youth-centered medical care," in which many needs besides medicine are being addressed.
Brooks stressed that youth especially need services that are easily attainable, without too much paperwork, identification and bureaucratic processes.
After her speech, the BYC staff was invited to join her on the stage and was met with applause.
Brooks said the staff at the BYC prioritize building long-term relationships with young people and have multiple responsibilities.
"What most interesting about our team is that everyone wears lots of hats and provides so many different services," she said.
Senior Director of Communications Alonzo Brown told Windy City Times that the BYC is still looking for a new space that can accommodate that holistic approach.
"The needs of the youth are so unique," he said.
BYC announced last year that it would be moving its program's operations base, temporarily housing it at the Broadway United Methodist Church, with other services being provided at its Lakeview office.
The Kinsey Sicks, a drag a cappella performance group, provided live entertainment for the event, singing parody numbers such as "Locked Out of the Chapel of Love," and "Don't Be Happy, Worry."
Attendees of the event enjoyed a three-course brunch that included buffet-style selections and drinks.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Walgreens, Orbitz, MillerCoors, McDermott Will & Emery, PwC and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center were corporate sponsors of the event.
Windy City Media Group was a media sponsor of the event.
Photospread at www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .