2010 Founders Celebration

On Saturday June 12, 2010, Mothers Trust Foundation recognized the significant contributions of service partners, volunteers and donors at the second annual Founders Celebration held at Gorton Community Center.

Cathy Curtis with MTF founder Barbara Monsor.

Cathy Curtis, PADS family advocate, received the first Founders Award, in honor of Mothers Trust founder Barbara Monsor, for being a steadfast champion of children who exhibits the humility and fierce resolve that resonates with our founder. Cathy is a founder of the PADS Family Center, a Lake County emergency shelter for homeless families, where families with children may remain in a stable environment until they are able to get back onto their feet. Cathy is known to many as a longtime and outspoken community activist in the North Shore area where she campaigned for civil rights and championed for the equality of women.

She works with local schools, ensuring that homeless children have the tools they need to "fit in" and succeed. She is a true advocate of families with children experiencing homelessness.

Manuel Fuentes.

Also honored was Manuel Fuentes, caseworker in the Comprehensive Emergency Services Department of Catholic Charities. Manny has become a "go to" person for Mothers Trust through his knowledge of available services and collaborative efforts to assist families and children. He is a kind and caring professional who exemplifies the reasons that MTF works through social service providers.

Catholic Charities Lake County Services was recognized as a long time partner organization. Associate Vice President, Maureen Murphy was a member of the first Mothers Trust strategic plan committee, and currently seven individual departments of Catholic Charities work with Mothers Trust to assist children in need. Both Maureen and Regional Director Terri Denny were on hand to accept the recognition.

Barbara Monsor with Julie Wendorf.

Julie Wendorf, MTF board member and volunteer, was recognized for outstanding service to the MTF mission through her efforts with the service committee, service outreach committee and as co-coordinator of the annual Resource Fair collaboration with SEDOL and the Lake County Regional School District.

Kirk Trofholz, President of Barilla America,  pictured with MTF Executive Director Cheri Richardson and MTF founder Barbara Monsor, accepting the award on behalf of Barilla.

Other honorees included: Barilla America, Baxter International, the Xerox Corporation, the Gorter Family Foundation, the Kevin Gorter Memorial Foundation, the Union Church of Lake Bluff, and Libertyville Township.

The morning event was concluded with a musical quartet performance composed of seniors from Waukegan High School who also perform with the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra. Michael Bennet, Neal Ellis, Carol Meuth, and Heidi Meuth entertained the group with a selection of classical music performed on violin and cello. All four graduates will be attending colleges across the country this fall.

Musical quartet from Waukegan High School.

Pictured left to right: Cheri Richardson, MTF Executive Director; Jim Baumann, MTF Board President; Terri Denny, Catholic Charities Lake County Regional Director; Manuel Fuentes, caseworker in the Comprehensive Emergency Services Department of Catholic Charities; Barbara Monsor, MTF Founder; and Maureen Murphy, Catholic Charities Associate Vice President of Community Casework in Lake County.