Sarah's Inn Reunion Event
Sarah's Inn invited nearly 30 years of current and former volunteers, staff and board members to join us on Thursday, September 23 for a reunion event. Thank you to everyone who attended this event!
For pictures of the event by Stephen Green Photography click here. (The gallery password is sarahsinn.)
Pictured (L-R): Dawn Dalton, Executive Director of Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network; Regina Botterill, Sarah's Inn Executive Director; Leigh Ann Hughes, Sarah's Inn Board President
Attendees represented all three decades of service as we celebrated together the history of Sarah's Inn. Generations of the Sarah’s Inn family were able to reconnect and share stories of their time of service to the organization as they rejoined us in our vision for a violence free future.
We would like to than the following supporters who made this event possible:
Event Sponsors:
Good Heard, Work Smart Foundation
Anonymous
Event Supporters:
Stephen Green Photography- www.sgreenphoto.com
Trattoria 225- www.trattoria225.com
Pictured (L-R): Jessica Dolan, Committee Member;
Jessica Hoey, Former SI Staff; Juliet Yera, Event Chair 
Reunion Committee:
Linda Conway, Sarah’s Inn Founding Board Member
Jessica Dolan, Former Sarah’s Inn Staff Member
Liz Figueroa-Serrano, Sarah’s Inn Bi-Lingual Advocate
Kelly Fondow, Current Sarah’s Inn Board Member
Joy Wright, Fomer Sarah’s Inn Staff Member
Juliet Yera, Sarah’s Inn Development Director, Event Chairperson
Local Oak Park Business Supporters:
Maya del Sol
Winberie’s
Prodigy Glass Works
Gepetto’s Pizza and Pasta
Avenue Ale House
Avenue Nail Spa
Sushi House
Bar Louie
During the evening a few key figures that had a great impact on the organization were recognized and awarded for their phenomenal effort and support of our mission.
Dorothy Wilz, the longest Sarah’s Inn staff member as the Children’s Program Advocate, was presented an award by Michele Weldon. Michele is a published author and former client of Sarah’s Inn and shared a few words about Dorothy, “Hundreds and hundreds of families have reaped the benefits of Dorothy’s light. She is one of those rare individuals who illuminate a relationship, an encounter, a room, with just her presence. She is small in stature, but not in influence. The light and warmth she brings to all who know her can warm the universe. I am grateful to know her, I am grateful my children have known her. And I am so pleased to participate in the tribute to her here tonight.”
Tina Birnbaum, was one of the original board members for Sarah’s Inn during the organizations infant years. She worked tirelessly to acquire funding necessary to support a fledgling organization. Because of Tina’s work, Sarah’s Inn started a 24 hour crisis line in 1983 (which actually rang in Tina’s home). That same crisis line continues to be answered today and offers hope, resources and a comforting voice to those struggling with domestic violence in our community.
Sandra Morales, was the first bi-lingual advocate for Sarah’s Inn. At a time when such programs were just beginning to be offered funding through the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Sandra helped to launch this program within our service area offering support to victims that were previously disconnected from necessary support and resources. Today over 50% of our clients are Latina and many speak Spanish primarily. Without the groundbreaking work of Sandra, our bi-lingual programming wouldn’t be a reality.
Linda Puvogel, was a board member from 1994- 1999 and board president for most of her term. Linda entered the board at a very critical point for Sarah’s Inn when our funding was in jeopardy and much of the organization required restructuring. Under Linda’s leadership the board of directors had the most successful events in Sarah’s Inn history, raising over $100,000 in support. Linda continues to be one of our most loyal supporters and community advocates.
We are truly grateful for the generous support of all the people who have been a part of our shared history and we look forward to celebrating 30 years of service together this coming year!