Events

Equip for Equality Hosts Summer Open House

Equip for Equality hosted its first Summer Open House on June 1. Staff and board members welcomed guests to celebrate the launch of Equip for Equality's 20th anniversary at its downtown Chicago office. Over 80 people attended, participating in an artwork silent auction and wine tasting, serenaded with French and Italian chansons from accordionist Peter Cuchetto. This year, Equip for Equality was honored to partner with The Awakenings Project, which provided over 40 paintings and three-dimensional works for the silent auction from some of Chicago's most accomplished artists with disabilities. The Awakenings Project assists people with mental illness in developing and enhancing their creative abilities through art in all its forms and raises public awareness of the creative talents and contributions of people living with mental illness.

Chicago sommelier Jason Breed conducted a wine-tasting demonstration, featuring several wines from diverse locations. Breed provided an impeccable short list of red and white vintages and demonstrated tasting techniques. To complement the wines, Sugar River Cheese Co. provided several varieties of designer cheeses.

Equip for Equality President Zena Naiditch welcomed the opportunity to hold an open house that helped guests from the disability community and local businesses and law firms better understand the various programs that the organization runs to advance its mission.

"We are such a comprehensive and diverse organization as far as the advocacy that we provide," she said, "that having people actually meet and talk in person with staff really helps them to understand the depth and range of our activities."

All proceeds from the art auction benefited the Awakenings Project and the individual artists.

Past Legal Interns Join EFE Staff for Luncheon

This spring, Equip for Equality invited its past legal interns to its downtown Chicago office for a lunch and brainstorming session on ways the organization can better reach various communities. Eleven past interns who work in the Chicago area attended, including two, Molly Paris and Mariangela Monteiro, who now work for Equip for Equality.

The luncheon was co-facilitated by Equip for Equality's Barry Taylor and Peter Grosz as well as board chairperson Michael Parks.

"We have been fortunate to have some of the brightest and most accomplished law students from all parts of the country as our interns," says Barry Taylor. "And they have gone on to promising diverse careers. We found at this luncheon that they still carry a strong passion for the work Equip for Equality does and provided some excellent ideas on how we can build even stronger programs."

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