Last week, the CAASE community gathered for Celebrating Allies 2026! We’re truly honored that so many folks from our community make the time to join us from near and far for this annual event. We’ve hosted this fall fundraiser at Skadden since 2014! It’s evolved and grown so much over the years. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to our community, we’re thrilled to be joined by you.
We are ecstatic to share that this community came together to raise over $135,237.92! This group showed up for survivors at a time when support was so critical. This year was a challenging one for survivors, and recent events and headlines remind us that there is a long road ahead towards achieving gender justice. But we know that folks like you are more committed than ever to this fight. It’s deeply meaningful to be together with a community that is dedicated to ending sexual exploitation. We hope you all are feeling renewed and hopeful for a better future as we are.
The 2026 honorees and speakers reminded us that survivors’ strength is powerful and contagious. Hearing from leaders in this movement at Celebrating Allies reminded us that true dedication to this cause, and working together, will lead us to progress.
Our 2026 Visionary Award went to Reshona Landfair. Reshona’s memoir, Who’s Watching Shorty? Reclaiming Myself from the Shame of R. Kelly’s Abuse was published earlier this year, sharing her personal and powerful account of moving from teenage victim to a survivor leader, mentor, community health advocate, and author.
Leslie Kuhn-Thayer was given the 2026 Pro Bono Luminary Award. CAASE’s legal team has had the privilege of working with Leslie on lawsuits against an Illinois prison involving sexual abuse of incarcerated women. Leslie’s role in Chicago’s pro bono community is vital, and we’re honored to work with her and give her this award.
The 2026 Pro Bono Excellence Award was given to Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym. This year CAASE worked closely with HSPRD on an employment law case, and they continuously provide support on gender violence issues. Their attorneys engage in fantastic pro bono work related to civil rights, labor rights, refugee rights, and more. We thank HSPRD for being our partner in our employment pro bono work.
We extend special gratitude to Jane Doe, a survivor and former CAASE legal client, who bravely shared her story of pursuing justice after sexual exploitation and the ways CAASE attorneys provided representation, resources, and support, changing the trajectory of her story. We also thank Saunté Harden-Tate, spoken word artist, performer, and writer, for sharing her beautiful original work. The stories that were shared by Jane Doe and Saunté were moving and poignant.
This event would not be possible without the steadfast support of our generous sponsors. Thank you to the following 2026 sponsors for helping make Celebrating Allies 2026 a record-breaking year!
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor: Skadden. Thank you to our Gold Sponsors: Baker McKenzie, Denise Fogus Gibson, Friedman Family Foundation, and Ulta Beauty. Thank you to our Silver Sponsors: ArentFox Schiff, Bally’s Chicago, DLA Piper, Famous Horween Leathers, Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., King & Spalding, Latham & Watkins, Mayer Brown, Rivers Gives, Sidley, The Law Offices of Symone Shinton. Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors: Anonymous, Boomerang Information Services, Chapman and Cutler, Corboy & Demetrio, Faegre Drinker, Garfinkel Group, Jones Day, Mercer, the Prinz Law Firm, Saul Ewing, and Lauren Shirato. Thank you to our Dessert Sponsor: Strugglebeard Bakery. Thank you to our in-kind sponsor: Right Way Signs.
CAASE is one part of a bigger network across Chicago dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and harm. At Celebrating Allies 2026, we were able to connect with so many dedicated members of that expansive community. We’re all united in our belief that survivors deserve better. We can’t do this work without each other. Thank you for being a part of this movement with us.
If you have not supported Celebrating Allies 2026 yet, please consider making a donation today.
CAASE published this piece on November 2, 2026. It was authored by Lizzy Springer. Learn more about our staff.
