Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. issued the following announcement on May 23.
The Women Helping Women program at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is proud to embrace its 10th Anniversary in 2019 with a year-long celebration titled 10 Ways to Give Back. To honor the milestone, the program is hosting and/or partnering in a series of 10 service projects throughout the year, with the pinnacle event—the annual mix-and-mingle—set for October 22.
In 2009 the women attorneys of the firm recognized that they developed business differently than their male counterparts. They also acknowledged that it was a challenge for women professionals to find the time to give back to their communities through activities that bring personal satisfaction, fulfill a sense of social responsibility and create joy. From this realization, the attorneys banded together to develop a unique initiative, coined Women Helping Women (WHW).
WHW’s annual mix-and-mingle is tailored to achieve two aims at once—to support professional women with relationship-building opportunities while simultaneously arranging the means to partner with different service providers to collect and deliver goods and services for underrepresented women in the community. This two-hour event is held in a central location to expedite commuting, and ends early enough so guests can then get on with the rest of their evening.
The inaugural event attracted 60 local women business leaders, entrepreneurs and strategic partners who gathered in Chuhak & Tecson’s lobby in support of Bottomless Closet. Ten years and 15 additional mix-and-mingles later, WHW has supported such organizations as All God’s People, Between Friends, Concordia Place, Jewish Child & Family Services, New Mom’s, Young Women’s Leadership Charter School and, our 17th set for October, Magdalene House Chicago. Thousands upon thousands of goods and monetary gifts have been donated—from personal care necessities for homeless youth, to school supplies for young women traditionally underrepresented in the math and science fields, to clothing for women veterans so they could feel confident at job interviews.
Lindsey Paige Markus, a founding member of WHW and leader of Chuhak & Tecson’s Estate Planning & Asset Protection group, looks forward to celebrating this achievement with all the women who have supported Women Helping Women—many for the entire decade.
“It has been an honor working side by side with my colleagues, championing Women Helping Women and partnering with 16 not for profit organizations that serve women or women and children,” said Markus. “These 10 years have also been a win for those who have attended our mix-and-mingles, many of whom have developed strong business relationships as a result.”
The program’s commitment, passion and sweat equity was recognized in 2017 when WHW was honored as a 2017 recipient of the IDEA Award from the Association of Legal Administrators. This award—Innovation, Development, Engagement and Advancement—recognizes one-of-a-kind programs, services and events that enrich the legal community and advance the business of law.
As it commemorates its 10th anniversary with 10 Ways to Give Back, women attorneys, paralegals and staff are participating in such projects as drafting wills for first responders, harvesting produce as an educational experience for youth and adults who face the challenge of poverty, and collecting funds for children who need new warm coats, hats and accessories this coming winter.
“10 Ways to Give Back is uniquely aligned with one of our firm’s core values—dedication to our community,” said Markus. “Our employees who participate in our programs have a common bond—love of service—and their ability to form stronger bonds at these special events dovetails nicely with the firm’s commitment to internal teamwork and service to Chicagoland communities.”
Original source can be found here.