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Connecting for Recovery Luncheon

Annual Benefit

Hosted by the Gateway Charitable Foundation, this annual benefit luncheon raises funds to support the Foundation’s impactful work of helping people build healthier lives by reducing substance use, other addictions, and improving mental health.

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Table of Content

Table of Content

Join us for Gateway Foundation’s 2025 Connecting for Recovery Luncheon!

When: September 18, 2025
Where: Bridgeport Art Center
             1200 W 35th Street
             Chicago, IL 60609
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Attire: Business

We expect 300 community leaders, healthcare advocates, supporters, and alumni of Gateway Foundation to be in attendance.

This Year We Will Present The Following Awards

2025 ADVOCACY AWARD

Senator Lakesia Collins (IL) & Senator Darryl Rouson (FL)

2025 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Charlie Paulson

2025 YOUTH ADVOCATE AWARD

Lindsey Huang

THE MARY CESARE-MURPHY QUALITY CHAMPION AWARD

In memory of Mary Cesare-Murphy – former Board Member

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Levels / Support Levels

Sponsorship tables of 10 are available at $25,000, $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500. A half table of five is available at $1,250. Individual tickets are $250.

For more information, please email lesula@gatewayfoundtaion.org

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Our Speakers

Emcee

Karen Jordan

Our Emcee will be Karen Jordan, news anchor and reporter at ABC 7 Eyewitness News. She co-anchors the #1 rated weekend newscast in Chicago, the ABC 7 Weekend News with Ravi Baichwal. Jordan, who grew up in Evanston, Illinois, joined ABC 7 Chicago in July 2003.

 

Keynote Speaker

Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson

Our Keynote Speaker will be Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson, a respected Florida lawmaker and lifelong advocate for justice, equity, and recovery. Representing Senate District 16, he serves as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and has been a powerful voice for behavioral health reform. A former prosecutor and past president of the St. Petersburg NAACP, Senator Rouson brings both professional insight and personal experience to his work. Now celebrating over 27 years of sobriety, he openly shares his journey to inspire others and shape compassionate policy. His leadership has earned him numerous honors, including multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2024 for his contributions to public service and addiction recovery.

Special Thanks to Our Generous Event Sponsors

Diamond Sponsor – Host Committee

Platinum Sponsor – Host Committee

Andy and Maria Smith

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Maureen Richnak and Larry Singer/MALTAP Fund
Liz + Tim Simer





Bronze Sponsor

TASC, Inc
SIKICH LLP
Rosecrance Behavioral Health
PremiStar
Netsmart
Michael Darcy
MADO Healthcare
Keith Sarpolis  M.D.
Illinois Health Practice Alliance
Cresa
Paula Elliot

In-Kind Donations

Chicagoland Print

 

2024 Annual Benefit

Take a look back on our 2024 Connecting for Recovery Benefit Luncheon