Chicago, IL September 20, 2017 —South Side Help Center ( SSHC ), a not-for-profit, community-based organization, will be celebrating 30 years of serving in the Chicago land area, most particularly in the areas of youth mentoring/violence prevention and HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care services, at the historic Parkway Ballroom on Sept. 30, 2017 and will donate a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales for recovery efforts of the hurricane in Florida and Texas, while also making "Legacy Awards" presentations to the following six notables:
Legacy MSM Advocacy & Care Leader: Mark Ishaug, Chief Executive Officer of Thresholds, ( Former CEO, AIDS Foundation of Chicago )
Legacy HIV/AIDS Outreach Leader: Harold Cherry, Director of Outreach, SSHC ( 1st and still current, employee of SSHC )
Legacy Elected Official & Civic Leader: Alderman Carrie M. Austin, 34th Ward; Chairman City of Chicago Committee on Budget & Government Operations
Legacy Woman Leader in HIV/AIDS Philanthropy: Cynthia Tucker, Vice President of Prevention and Community Partnerships, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Legacy Youth Leader: Police Sergeant. Keith L. Parks, Orangeburg County South Carolina Sheriff's Office, Gang Specialist/Coordinator ( Former SSHC youth program participant )
Legacy Media Leader: CHICAGO DEFENDER NEWSPAPER, Leading African-American owned and focused newspaper, which continually publishes features on HIV/AIDS and violence prevention programs and community resources.
"Throughout the years, these leaders have been an integral part of SSHC being able to pursue and embody our mission of "Serving People and Strengthening Communities," said Vanessa Smith, President/CEO, SSHC. "My mother, Betty Smith, founder of SSHC will be present as will our staff, associates, partners, funders and friends, including our affiliate leads from AIDS Healthcare Foundation, as we show our appreciation and celebrate 30 years of legacy and strength. So many agencies that started when we did are no longer in existence and we are grateful for the opportunity to particularly serve communities of color and other high at-risk populations," Smith continued. "As we celebrate our success here, at the same time, we want to be able to help support recovery efforts in Florida and Houston where hurricanes hit earlier this month," Smith added.
In addition to the Legacy Awards" presentations, the celebration will include a reception from 5:00-6:00PM with open bar, a delicious dinner, and live performances by Chicago's own jazz great Maggie Brown and the Grammy-Award nominated R&B mainstay, Kenny Lattimore. We'll close with fabulous desserts, music and dancing," said Smith. Doors open at 4:45PM, with reception from 5:00-6:00pm, dinner, program, live entertainment and dancing from 6:00-9:00PM. The community is invited to purchase tickets for only $130, with a portion of proceeds being donated to help recovery efforts in Florida and Texas. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.eventbrite.com/e/south-side-help-center-celebrating-30-years-of-service-tickets-36632813732
