A year ago, we envisioned a new kind of fundraiser—an event that would be interactive, engaging, energetic, and most importantly, be able to showcase the work that our Prevention Education program is doing. We didn’t want to just talk about that work, but rather, show it. A CAASE of Empowerment is our answer to that. On April 29, we hosted this fundraiser for the second time. We gathered with supporters and friends to spotlight our Prevention Education work. Our Prevention Education team taught a real lesson that they bring to classrooms across Chicago. It was energizing and renewing to be together with so many people all united in their care for prevention and belief in a world free from sexual harm.
Through this event, we have raised more than $29,000! We’re so grateful for the generosity our community has shown. Your belief in our mission and work is powerful and impactful, inspiring a ripple effect of action in your own circles, expanding our community to reach new allies.
Our event sponsors are the foundation of events like these. They help bring our vision to life. We would not be able to host A CAASE of Empowerment without their support. We send all of our gratitude to our 2026 event sponsors. Thank you to Dan and Mary Cox, Laura Feldman, Boomerang Information Services, Denise Fogus Gibson, Mercer, the Law Office of Symone Shinton, Horween Leathers, Motorola Solutions Foundation, and the Schuler Family. Thank you to our in-kind sponsors, Strugglebeard Bakery and Right Way Signs.
The Greer Foundation is generously doubling contributions to A CAASE of Empowerment 2026, up to the agreed grant amount. Thank you to the Greer Foundation for allowing generosity to be multiplied!
Our staff and board of directors are the dedicated team working to make CAASE’s mission a reality daily. Thank you to each and every one of our staff who address the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation through all the avenues of their work. Thank you to our board of directors as well for being ambassadors and champions for CAASE too.
Our prevention team, Ryan Spooner and Sam McCarthy, are the heart of our Prevention Education program. Their leadership in the Prevention Education landscape is deeply innovative. Their work in classrooms across the Chicagoland area is impactful. Thank you to Sam and Ryan for all that you do and for bringing your exceptional talents to students, as well as to A CAASE of Empowerment 2026!
We hope you enjoyed this event. If you did not get the chance to attend or donate but still want to support this new fundraiser, there is still time to give. Click here to donate.
This event was photographed by K. Mitchell Photography.
To see more photos from A CAASE of Empowerment 2026, view our album on Facebook.
This piece was published on May 6, 2026. It was authored by Lizzy Springer and edited by LaQuita Hearn-Quinn and Ryan Spooner. Learn more about our staff.
