Together, we took One Step Beyond to help local families
On Friday evening, October 9, 2026, FamilyForward supporters gathered for One Step Beyond, a special celebration of progress and possibility for local families.
On Friday evening, October 9, nearly 170 guests gathered at Rolling Green Country Club in Arlington Heights to support families in our community. Together, we raised over $107,000 at One Step Beyond: Celebrating Progress, Creating Possibility. Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, partnered, volunteered, or bid in the auction. Your generosity helps our neighbors navigate difficult times and build greater stability in the community we share.
Our host, local news anchor Rob Hughes from ABC7 Chicago, guided us through the evening, helping to connect each part of the program to the local, low-income working families at the heart of our mission. We are grateful for the care he brought in telling the story of how FamilyForward empowers parents to build stable households and a stronger future for their children. One Step Beyond was an uplifting, impactful evening of generosity and a wonderful celebration of the power of community.
Our lives are connected
The journey we shared throughout the evening begins with everyday life: working, raising children, and making ends meet. We work alongside one another, our children share classrooms, and we support local businesses. These connections make our community home.
As high costs affect us all, many of us know how carefully a household budget must stretch. For families with little room to spare, an unexpected medical bill, car repair, or loss of income can open a gap between what they earn and what they need to stay housed and keep daily life moving.
Walking alongside one another
Supporting the work of FamilyForward is one way our community shows up for one another. The rental-assistance component of our family program helps families address immediate needs, while ongoing mentoring provides someone to turn to as they make a plan and work toward stability.
At One Step Beyond, Mom K, a FamilyForward program graduate, described what that support meant to her: “They weren’t judging me for the situation I was in. They were helping me find a way forward.” Read Mom K’s story.
Mom K’s reflections reminded us that progress takes time. Having someone in your corner can help you face the next challenge with more confidence and see new possibilities ahead.
Helping local families — our neighbors — move forward
Your support helps families stay connected to their homes, schools, work, and the people they rely on. We all help shape this community, and we need one another to keep it strong. When families can remain rooted here, children keep familiar connections and our community retains the neighbors who help make it what it is.
We also paused to remember Connie Wayman, a dedicated family mentor and volunteer, wife of past Board Chair Tim Wayman, and longtime supporter of FamilyForward alongside Tim. Her generosity and care reflected the spirit of neighbors showing up for one another.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to One Step Beyond co-chairs Claudia Starck and Jane Drezen, host Rob Hughes, and to Steve Young for leading the live appeal. We also want to recognize and thank our caring and committed staff for their ongoing dedication and service. And we are deeply grateful to every partner, auction donor, volunteer, and guest. (Check out this complete list of all our generous sponsors and prize donors.)
Thank you to everyone who supported this event for helping to make ours a community where families have somewhere to turn.
