 CHICAGO (April 26, 2004) - Amate House - the young adult volunteer ministry of the Archdiocese of Chicago - will celebrate 20 years of service to the Chicago area and the Archdiocese at its annual "Amate Magic" celebration this Friday, April 30th at the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago, will be in attendance.
During its 2003-2004 program year, 42 young adults have served the local community
by teaching in inner city schools in Little Village ( St. Agnes of Bohemia ), Englewood ( Academy of St. Benedict the African ), Edgewater ( St. Gregory High School ), Lawndale (North Lawndale College Prep ) and Austin ( St. Angela School and Austin Career Education) and by assisting: persons who are poor and/or homeless ( Deborah's Place, St. Vincent DePaul's Soup kitchen, Catholic Charities' Emergency Assistance Program ); children and/or their families ( Christopher House, Uhlich Children's Advantage Network, Project HOPE, Catholic Charities' Ford Center ); those who are victims of torture or abuse ( Kovler Center, Friends of Battered Women ); those in need of health care ( Programa CIELO, Heartland Health Outreach ); legal assistance ( Chicago Legal Clinic, Cabrini Green Legal Aid ); educational programs for Latino adults and families (Instituto del Progreso Latino).
As a group, Amate House volunteers serve approximately 6,000 people directly and perform over 60,000 volunteer service hours annually. Each full time volunteer generates a minimum of $15,000 in "public value" through the particular agency/community where they work.
At the "Amate Magic" event, Amate House will honor its young adult volunteers and award Peggy Roach with the "Bernardin Medal" for her tireless efforts over the years to confront injustice and thereby change the social and civil rights movement forever.
Also to be honored that evening are:
- Dalia Bagdonas Rocotello ( Founders' Award ), former Amate House volunteer, who is currently working as Regional Services representative for Catholic Charities' west suburban office serving the hungry, immigrants, homeless and people in need.
- Carol Conboy for her many contributions to Amate House throughout their 20-year history including her "behind the scenes" support and years of service on the Amate House Board of Directors.
The "Amate Magic" event begins at 6 p.m. this Friday, and includes cocktails, dinner, and dancing. For more information or to obtain tickets to the "Amate Magic" event, please contact Chris Wagar or Mark Laboe at Amate House at 773/745-0002 or visit our website at www.amatehouse.org .
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