Program

6:00 – 6:45 Cocktail Hour

• Enjoy passed plates, signature cocktails, and an open bar

• Explore the IMAGINE Art Activation, designed by Dustin Harris & Lea Pinsky of Art Encounter

• Take in the beautiful patio view of the Chicago River

6:45 - Call to Dinner

7:00 - 8:55 Dinner Program

• Welcome, Collaborative Imagining, + Opening Remarks | Jesse Ilhardt, Co-Founder & Executive Director of VOCEL

• Dinner is served!

• Changemakers Award Ceremony | Emceed by Anajah Philogene (VOCEL Board of Directors) and honoring our 2025 awardees:

  • Senaida Arteaga, VOCEL Parent Participant

  • Dr. Elwanda Butler, VOCEL School Leader Alumna

  • Beth Swanson, CEO of A Better Chicago

• Video Presentation | Prepared by Motion Source, featuring participants and staff from the VOCEL Child Parent Academy:

  • Angelica Maciel-Wright, VOCEL Parent Participant

  • Edith Contreras, VOCEL Teacher & Former Parent Participant

  • Cintia Cruz-Alvarez, VOCEL Family Support Specialist & Former Parent Participant

  • Claribel Diaz, VOCEL Family Support Specialist & Former Parent Participant

  • Maria Dolores Vaca, VOCEL Family Support Manager

• Call for Support | Jason Mueller, Treasurer of the VOCEL Board of Directors

8:55 - 9:30 - Mingle & Celebrate!

• Enjoy churros, coffee, and tea

• Admire the IMAGINE mural you helped create!

• Last call for bar at 9:15pm