Giving Hope event raises crucial funds to aid financial stability in families

Kris Mainellis
Nov 7
2 min read

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, FamilyForward friends and supporters came together at Giving Hope: Home for the Harvest to enjoy festive food and fun, raising crucial funds to help local, low-income working families in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. It was an impactful time to gather, give, and grow hope.

Check out these fun photos from the event (click to expand), by Andrew Baack and other FamilyForward friends.

Helping families achieve financial stability

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, September 28, for Giving Hope: Home for the Harvest! It was an exciting afternoon of fundraising and fun at Cotillion Banquets, Palatine, all to help local families improve their financial stability, achieve housing security, and build a stronger future.

We gathered in the spirit of harvest abundance, enjoying food and festivities designed to celebrate and support FamilyForward’s work to empower parents as they gain the confidence and skills to manage their finances, maintain stable housing, navigate challenges, and achieve long-term independence. Our goal? To strengthen low-income, working families in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. It was an impactful time to gather, give, and grow hope.

Event participants sampled hearty appetizers and gourmet desserts as they took part in a silent auction and raffles featuring creative and exciting activities, services and goodies, all while enjoying lively entertainment by The Bourbon Aristocracy bluegrass band. The program included a live auction for two separate, special packages: a five-night stay in a Caribbean resort and a Taylor Swift themed, framed gift featuring a large portrait photo, CD and signed CD booklet.

We also heard the inspiring story of Mom and Dad J, followed by a live Fund the Need appeal to help families. Together, we raised critical funds to support our FamilyForward mission and provide direct assistance for local families.

Assisting neighbors in need

Thank you to everyone who contributed nonperishable food items to the special food collection for Faith Feeds Food Pantry at this Giving Hope event! Based in Palatine, Faith Feeds is an important community resource for local families facing food insecurity, a problem closely related to the housing insecurity faced by FamilyForward families. We donated nearly 600 pounds of food in this effort!

Celebrating our mission

Giving Hope: Home for the Harvest was a success, helping local families find financial stability, thanks, in part, to our generous sponsors, shown here.

“We are thrilled to have this wonderful outpouring of support, which is what fuels our work to accompany and equip families on their journey toward financial independence,” said Tim Wayman, chair of the FamilyForward board of directors.

We are truly grateful to our supporters and participants: