Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives

Celebrating Women...Transforming Lives Luncheon Celebration

Friday, May 6, 2022
Danada House, Wheaton

Thank you for joining us to celebrate the women and men in our communities that transform the lives of those in need and to honor those lives transformed by Bridge Communities' Transitional Housing Program.

This year's event raised more than $100,000 in support of the families housed and mentored through our Transitional Housing Program. Guests enjoyed a gourmet luncheon, including a champagne welcome reception, along with a moving program that recognized and honored our community leaders. Guests also enjoyed a jewelry raffle from our fabulous community supporter, Kendra Scott jewelry.

A special thank you goes to DuPage Medical Group (Duly Health and Care) Charitable Fund for providing a matching grant of $20,000 in support of the event and the families served.

Learn more about our special honorees featured in this year's Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives:

Transforming Lives Award: Nicki Anderson

Nicki Anderson currently serves as the Director of LEADS at Benedictine University, a groundbreaking four-year co-curricular leadership program for women. Previously Nicki served as the first female CEO and President of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce after selling her business, Reality Fitness. Nicki has served on many non-profit boards including SamaraCare Counseling, 360 Youth Services, and Loaves and Fishes in Naperville and Aurora. Nicki volunteers for District 203 Incubator program, Alive Center, and Innovation DuPage. Nicki has been recognized for several awards, including the Harter Award and The Education Center's "Making a Difference" award. Bridge Communities is honored to add to her list of accolades with this year's Transforming Lives award.

Life Transformed Award: Kelly and Tony Bish

Our first ever couple honorees, Kelly and Tony Bish, met in a Bridge Communities parenting class. After a divorce, Kelly and her three children were facing homelessness. Tony was a luxury home painting contractor when the Great Recession hit and the bottom fell out of the housing industry. Through Bridge, Tony took career assessments and landed in the electrical field and Kelly started her education and employment journey toward achieving her Bachelors in Science, Nursing; she graduated from Purdue University in 2019. They supported one another while working on their individual and family goals. This past summer they married, blending their two families into one of 9, and are thriving in their marriage, personal and professional lives. Recently, Kelly received the Daisy Award for compassion and dedication in nursing and Tony continues to receive promotions with his employer. Bridge is honored to celebrate the good work and love of Kelly and Tony with the Lives Transformed Award.

To see more Bridge Communities videos in the spirit of Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives, click here.

Transform Lives as a Monarch Society member

With your help, the women of Bridge Communities will be transformed into self-sufficient mothers able to support themselves and their families with a future that looks as bright as a butterfly’s wings. You can make a difference by becoming a member of the Monarch Society, or with a donation of any amount:

$1,000 provides one month of housing

$500 provides 2 weeks of housing

A gift of $500 or more qualifies you as a member of the Monarch Society. Click here to make a donation today!

Please save the date of June 16, 2023 for our next Celebrating Women, Transforming Lives. Details about the event will be available in February 2023. For more information about our events, please contact Margo Matthew at (630) 403-5091, or margo.matthew@bridgecommunities.org.

If you would like to make a donation, please click here.