Wednesday, October 28, 2026
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. CDT
320 S. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60606
Join us at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation’s 2026 annual fundraiser as we bring together supporters, survivors, advocates, and allies who believe survivors deserve better. Together, we’ll celebrate the people and partnerships creating lasting change—from advancing justice for survivors to building safer communities through advocacy and education.
The evening will feature an award ceremony honoring transformational leadership in culture change, alongside recognition of the groundbreaking legal work helping survivors pursue justice and accountability.
Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Dress code: business cocktail attire
The venue is an ADA-compliant space. If you need any accessibility accommodations to attend this event or have questions, please contact Lizzy Springer at lspringer@caase.org.
Tickets
Early bird tickets for Celebrating Allies are available now! Secure your spot and save while the sale is happening. The early bird sale is active until Sunday, September 6, at 11:59 pm CDT. Register and save today!
If you are unable to attend Celebrating Allies 2026 but would still like to support the event, we would be grateful if you made a donation in honor of the event!
Honorees and Speakers
Reshona Landfair – Visionary Award Honoree
Survivor, Author, and Leader
This year, we are truly excited to honor and celebrate Reshona Landfair at our annual fall fundraiser!
Reshona Landfair is a dynamic individual whose life journey has been marked by significant achievements in the entertainment industry, dedicated service in community health, and a powerful commitment to mentoring young women. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and unwavering purpose. Most recently, Landfair has stepped into the spotlight to reclaim her narrative with the release of her compelling memoir, Who’s Watching Shorty? Reclaiming Myself from the Shame of R. Kelly’s Abuse, published by Legacy Lit. This deeply personal account bravely chronicles her experiences as a teenage victim and her subsequent journey of healing and empowerment.
Learn more about Reshona’s story in Rolling Stone, NPR, and The Guardian, and join CAASE to honor her at Celebrating Allies 2026!
Leslie Kuhn-Thayer – Pro Bono Luminary Award
Leslie Kuhn-Thayer is widely recognized in the Chicago legal sphere as an incredible asset to the pro bono community. As Pro Bono Counsel at Sidley Austin, Leslie primarily dedicates her practice to serving system-impacted clients, including prisoner civil rights litigation and compassionate release and other post-conviction relief. CAASE is currently partnering with Leslie as co-counsel on two different lawsuits against a downstate women’s prison involving sexual abuse of prisoners by corrections staff, along with our partner nonprofit, the Uptown People’s Law Center. Leslie is also a board member at Uptown and is co-counseling a lawsuit with them regarding excessive force and retaliation in the same women’s prison. Her passion for serving the most vulnerable is inspiring, and we are honored to present Leslie with the 2026 Pro Bono Luminary Award.
Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym – Pro Bono Excellence Award
We are honored to award Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym with the 2026 Pro Bono Excellence Award. Hughes Socol attorneys consistently engage in pro bono work in areas like civil rights, refugee rights, labor rights, and education support. This past year, CAASE has worked closely with Hughes Socol on an employment law case and they have regularly provided advice and support on other employment and gender violence issues. Hughes Socol is an essential partner in our employment pro bono practice and we are proud to recognize their important work in this area.
Sauntè Harden-Tate – Performer
Writer and Spoken Word Artist
Sauntè Harden-Tate (pronounced Sahn-tay) is a Black American Chicago Westside Native, creative writer, Advocate, Community Educator, Trauma Advocate, proud mother of two, and wife. With a deep-rooted passion for healing, advocating, and educating the community on trauma, Saunte has over 10 years of advocacy and prevention work. With her deep understanding of trauma, Sauntè has a special affinity for uplifting and educating the community on the long-stemming traumas and struggles that disproportionately affect the Black community. Knowing firsthand and witnessing the depth of trauma among black people, Sauntè has a profound desire to start the healing process. She created a web show called “Oh! We Gon’ Talk!” which facilitates conversations centered around generational trauma within the black community. Sauntè not only uses public speaking to advocate and educate, but she also uses poetry and writing to share with others about different traumas and emotions.
Jane Doe – Survivor Speaker
Survivor and former CAASE client
More information about our other honorees and speakers will be available soon!
Donate
Support survivors and back our mission to end sexual harm by giving today. Here are some ways your donation helps us in the fight against sexual harm:
- $100 provides a stipend for survivors who share expertise and input on CAASE policies and programs
- $350 enables the Prevention team to conduct a one-hour training on sexting or pornography to a classroom of high school students
- $500 funds the hosting of one focus or support group for survivors
- $1,000 funds the purchase of one computer for a CAASE staffer
- $1,800 covers the cost of implementing one 5-session Prevention program to a high school classroom
- $5,000 covers the cost of resolving one legal matter for a survivor of sexual harm
- $7,500 pays for comprehensive legal services for one survivor for one year
- $10,000 resolves two legal matters for survivors
Generous Sponsors
Sponsoring Celebrating Allies is a wonderful way to support survivors and demonstrate a commitment to ending sexual harm. We welcome you to look over the sponsorship opportunities and contact Kaethe Morris Hoffer to take full advantage of sponsorship benefits. Call 773-244-2230 ext. 202 or email kmh@caase.org.
We are gladly accepting new sponsors up until the event. To be included in printed sponsor materials, we kindly ask you to submit your sponsorship by Tuesday, October 20.
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Denise Fogus Gibson
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Anonymous
Stay connected to CAASE and hear about the latest updates and work we’re doing with your support by subscribing to CAASE’s newsletter and following us on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Bluesky.
