Friends and allies of the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness (CCH) gathered for our annual Victory Celebration held on January 8 at Grace Place in the Printer’s Row neighborhood of Chicago. While the event celebrated the strides we made together in 2025, speakers also acknowledged the challenges we are facing as a city and country.
“I am honored to be in a room of people prepared to fight for their neighbors and fight for what is right,” Northern Illinois Community Organizer Alex Shapiro said, opening the celebration. “In this moment and always, we need the solidarity and bravery all of you have demonstrated over the past year.”
CCH staff recognized the many partners who were instrumental in passing crucial new legislation, removing barriers for people experiencing homelessness, and increasing access to resources.
“We are living in a world where things often feel uncertain,” said Director of State Policy, Equity, and Transformation Niya Kelly while presenting. “But having partners at this work is pivotal.”
The celebration featured performances by Grassroots Leaders Wanda Cooper and Shay Jones, sharing original poems written through their participation in our Horizons creative writing program. CCH community organizers also celebrated the organizing and advocacy efforts of our grassroots leaders, honoring each with a commemorative lapel pin.
2025 Victory Celebration Honorees
For longstanding advocacy and commitment to young adults impacted by homelessness
Megan Wickman
Advocacy Director, LYTE Collective
The LYTE Collective serves young adults impacted by poverty and homelessness and is an important partner to CCH. For over a decade, Megan has worked tirelessly supporting young people, connecting them with needed resources, and removing barriers.
Megan Wickman and Beth Malik
“Megan is an exceptional advocate, and we are so grateful for her dedication and collaboration.”
– Beth Malik
Associate Director of the Law Project
For removing barriers to vital public benefits for individuals experiencing homelessness
Heather Crone
Bureau Chief, Illinois Department of Human Services
For years, Heather has been steadfast and unwaveringly helpful in resolving issues with SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid applications for individuals experiencing homelessness. She helps cut through the bureaucracy and ensures members of our community are connected to critical benefits without delay.
For longstanding advocacy and commitment to students and families experiencing homelessness
Barbara Duffield
Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection
Barbara is an extraordinary national leader and tireless advocate on behalf of students experiencing homelessness. Through her work, Barbara has helped shape policies, elevate voices, and ensure that educational stability remains a priority for children and youth across the country.
“While she is unable to join us today, her impact is deeply felt, and we are grateful for her enduring commitment to educational equity and justice.”
-Beth Malik
Associate Director of the Law Project
For commitment to and advocacy in solidarity with people experiencing street homelessness
Ryan Spangler
Senior Mental Health Worker, Heartland Alliance Health’s homeless outreach team
Isabella Mancini
Clinical Director, Housing Trilogy Inc
Ryan and Isabella are both social workers—relentless in their fight to connect people to housing, but also brilliant advocates, activists, and organizers for systemic change. They deeply understand the system and all the barriers that people experiencing homelessness face. They are fierce advocates, dedicating countless hours to Bring Chicago Home and other campaigns seeking to expand access to affordable housing and dignity for people experiencing homelessness. They generously share their expertise, organizing and strategic skills, ingenuity, and clear vision for a city where everyone has access to housing.
“When we have questions about the tangled web of resources and how to cut through the noise, we know who we can turn to, and Isabella Mancini and Ryan Spangler are at the top of that list. They know how to navigate the system because they do not give up on people. They go farther than is comfortable or convenient and they get results.”
-Melissa West
Staff Attorney, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Sponsored by Hyatt Hotels
CCH staff (left to right) Arturo Hernandez, Ali Simmons, Melissa West, and Mary Tarullo with Isabella Mancini (center)
“I believe this world would be a better place when people can be housed free from fear of criminalization, surveillance, stigma, or violence. We are staring down the barrel of fascism right now, there is a lot of work ahead of us, but there is absolutely no group I’d rather be in this fight with than y’all.”
-Isabella Mancini
“There is no other organization in Chicago I would rather be recognized by, as I identify intimately with the values of CCH, and will always stand with you in the pursuit of justice and policy change for those suffering from the indignity of homelessness.”
-Ryan Spangler
For advocacy supporting families toward stability
The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence (accepted by Maralea Negron)
CCH partnered with The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence to pass legislation that supports domestic violence survivors in applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This legislation streamlines access to the ‘Family Violence Exclusion,’ which allows survivors to opt out of some of TANF’s stringent requirements, such as the 30 hour-per-week work, training, or education mandate and child support enforcement. These exceptions make it easier for survivors to escape an abusive situation and reduce risks to them and their children. The new law will ensure information about the waiver is shared with survivors, allow them to self-attest to their experience, and improve access to domestic violence support services.
Niya Kelly with Maralea Negron
“This legislative session I had the chance to work with Maralea Negron, a fierce advocate. Her understanding of intimate partner violence and ending the cycle is unmatched. To walk shoulder and shoulder with her this session was a blessing.”
-Niya Kelly
Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity, and Transformation
For advocacy in supportive services for young families and their children
Start Early (accepted by Carie Bires, Madison Ezell, and Jessica Vergara)
Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness is collaborating with Start Early, and the University of Illinois Chicago Center for Research on Women and Gender on the Housing Insecurity and Homelessness in Illinois among the Pregnant and Parenting (HIHIPP) project, which developed a plan to end homelessness for pregnant people and families with children under age 3.
Madison Ezell, Carie Bires and Jessica Vergara from Start Early with Niya Kelly (second from right)
“It’s really a joy and a privilege to do work that you really care about with smart and passionate people who also care. Every time we get to come together and work together it does give me hope and lot of energy. This project has been something that really feeds our spirits.”
-Carie Bires
Managing Director, Illinois Policy, Start Early
For leadership of the CCH Associate Board
Sophie Babcock
Former Associate Board President
Since December 2016, Sophie served on the CCH Associate Board, bringing a creative can-do spirit that led to the creation of some truly memorable events like a virtual variety show and annual wing eating competition. Quickly taking on a leadership role after just one year into her tenure, Sophie served for many years as an Events Co-Chair and Vice President before taking on the role of President. At the end of 2025, CCH welcomed Sophie into a new role on our Board of Directors.
Sophie Babcock accepting her award from Michael Nameche
“Sophie’s leadership is the type that brings out the best in those around her and no one is more committed to bringing about the fullest success and the most fun to our fundraisers.”
-Michael Nameche
Director of Development
For leadership in reinvigorating the homeless youth committee
Saraya Miller
Evie Arlett
Marcellis North
Jane Shea Mennard
Milena Jeffers
Cat Smith
Saraya, Marcellis, Evie, Cat, Jane Shea, and Milena each bring passion, perspective, creativity, compassion, and joy to CCH’s Homeless Youth Committee. The committee was historically comprised of youth and young adult service providers but lacked the perspective and leadership of those closest to the problem—young people who have experienced homelessness. As individuals, each of these ‘Rising Leaders’ made unique contributions, through lived experience, direct service, or research, to shape and grow the Committee and its work.
“Together you make a beautiful kaleidoscope through which we see that it is possible to end youth and young adult homelessness in Chicagoland.”
-M Nelsen
Manager of City Policy
Evie Arlett, Saraya Miller, and Marcellis North accept their awards from M Nelsen (far right)
“I grew up in a system of foster care where sometimes you felt like people were punching down on you and it wasn’t until I entered into CCH’s space where I was allowed to be whoever I wanted to be at any given moment.”
-Evie Arlett
“Being able to do this helped me find a sense of passion in myself and align myself with the values that I want to live by each and every day.”
-Marcellis North
For advocacy opposing camping bans
Trustee Carina Santa Maria
Trustee Bill Manganaro
Trustee Wendy Dunnington
CCH, along with our coalition partners, works with local communities across Illinois to push back against anti-camping ordinances designed to fine and jail people for experiencing unsheltered homelessness. One of our biggest successes was in northwest suburban Arlington Heights where faith leaders, service providers, and concerned citizens came together to protect their most vulnerable neighbors. Together, we pushed the Village Board of Trustees, ultimately flipping the deciding vote and killing the unjust ordinance for now. This campaign would not have been possible without the allyship and support of three thoughtful Trustees: Carina Santa Maria, Bill Manganaro, and Wendy Dunnington.
Trustees Carina Santa Maria and Bill Manganaro with Alex Shapiro (center)
For a career of committed housing advocacy
Sue Loellbach
Director of Public Policy, Connections for the Homeless
Sue has spent her career fighting to end homelessness and protecting the rights of people experiencing homelessness in the northern suburbs. In her role at Connections for the Homeless, she has been a key member of countless local and state campaigns over the years, including a hard-fought, years-long campaign to turn the Margarita Inn into a non-congregate shelter. Facing fierce opposition, her team finally succeeded, ultimately creating a shelter that gives people experiencing homelessness the dignity of their own space as they got back on their feet.
Sue Loellbach speaking at the Celebration
Thank you to all who joined us at our 2025 Victory Celebration! We’re looking forward to continuing our work together in 2026.
