Celebrating Women...Transforming Lives

Description

Please join us at our annual Spring Luncheon as we celebrate the resilience and courage of women in the DuPage community.
We’ll honor Peg Hendershot, executive director of Career Vision, and community advocate Ann Marie Andexler.
Their incredible gifts of time, talents and treasure will be recognized, as well as their efforts to make our communities a better place for homeless families.

Tickets are $50 and are now available at https://bridgecommunities.org/news-events/calendar/celebrating-women-transforming-lives.html


Celebrate the Heroines of DuPage County With Bridge Communities
Glen Ellyn, IL – March 10, 2015 – Bridge Communities is pleased to host its 5th Annual Spring Luncheon, “Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives,” at the Danada House from 11am -1:30pm on Friday, April 24. Two DuPage County women will be recognized for their incredible gifts of time and talents, as well as their efforts to make our communities a better place for homeless families. Tickets for the luncheon are $50 per person and seating is limited.

With a passion for helping people identify their strengths and the types of environments that capitalize on these talents, Peg Hendershot is the executive director of Career Vision in Glen Ellyn.
She sets the strategic direction for their career programs, which are based on this not-for-profit organization’s extensive research on aptitude-based career decision making. Prior to joining Career Vision in 1982, Peg ran an outplacement agency and managed a program for hard-to-serve youth and disadvantaged populations. She also chaired DuPage County’s Education to Career Initiative and served as vice president of the DuPage County Workforce Board. Peg is committed to help Bridge families find work that plays to one’s strengths , and will receive this year’s Transforming Lives Award.

Ann Marie Andexler, mother of four, came to the Bridge program in a desperate need of housing for her family and could not afford the expenses on her own. Thrilled to be accepted into the program, she took advantage of every opportunity to help her and her children. She continued to strive to improve life for her family and was accepted into the Habitat for Humanity program becoming a home owner in Glen Ellyn. She has moved up in her career and is now holding a salary position at her company. Ann Marie has felt in her heart to give back to others as she has been given and she continually volunteers with both Bridge and Habitat. With her voice of encouragement, she has spoken of her heartache and how love, care and dedication can bring a new hope in other’s lives. Ann Marie embodies the spirit of Bridge Communities, and will receive the Life Transformed Award.

Our featured speaker will be Carolyn Cox. Carolyn was married for forty-three years; and as a shock to all that knew her, secretly living in a violently abusive marriage. Ms. Cox is resilient and determined to bring attention to the serious issue of domestic violence while empowering others to move forward and build a brighter future for their families. She now travels the country enlightening others about the dangers and shame of ignoring the silent secret of domestic violence. Carolyn's story is one of extreme bravery and fortitude, and one that shares humor and hope. Her fight to survive and rebuild is an inspiration to all.

The event's Master of Ceremony Karen Wells has over 20 years of leadership experience in Fortune 500 companies. Her most recent role was a member of the US Leadership Team as Vice President of Strategy for McDonald’s USA, LLC. During her career, Karen was identified as a “Rising Star” by Fortune Magazine, selected as one of Chicago’s Top 25 Women by Rolling Out Magazine, and featured as “A Remarkable Person” by Chicago Tribune. Karen retired from McDonald’s in 2012 to start a new chapter in her life. She founded the AIW Group consulting firm, and she and her husband own and operate The Goddard School in Plainfield, IL.

For more information about Celebrating Women…Transforming Lives or about the women honored, please contact Chad Pedigo at (630) 545-0610, ext. 19. Select sponsorship opportunities are still available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bridgecommunities.org or by calling (630) 545-0610, ext. 19. Bridge Communities is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide housing, mentoring and supportive services to homeless families in DuPage County. Bridge Communities’ vision is a community where all families have safe, sustainable and affordable housing and life-long self-sufficiency. In the past 26 years, Bridge Communities has helped 600 families cross the bridge from homelessness to hope and self-sufficiency.