HSI holds gala to help children and adults

HSI holds gala to help children and adults

A large number of our town's `who's who' came out in all of their splendor and glory in support of Habilitative Systems, Inc.'s (HSI) annual "Jazz With Pizzazz" gala, held last weekend at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wacker Drive.

The event included a presentation of HSI's 2000 "Freeing the Human Spirit" Community Service Partner Awards, and fabulous entertainment by legendary jazz percussionist and producer Norman Connors, featuring jazz vocalist Jean Carne.

Lynn Norment served as chair of this year's benefit, and Art Norman of WMAQ-Channel 5 and Bonnie DeShong of WVAZ, were the master and mistress and ceremonies.

HSI is a behavioral health and human service organization, located on the West Side, which provides an array of responsive services that promote self-sufficiency, personal responsibility and dignity for mentally, physically, socially and emotionally disabled persons.

HSI has several sites and locations on the West Side, including the West Garfield, North Lawndale and Austin communities. Some of the services even span greater Chicago.

The award recipients were Kimberly A. Lightford, Illinois State Senator, 4th district: Coy Pugh, Illinois State Representative, 10th district, and Isaac S. Carothers, alderman (29th) and Democratic Ward Committeman.

The Whitney Young jazz band also performed before and during the dinner.

Dew said the work he and his staff at HSI do "has truly been a labor of love, taking self-sufficiency to another level."

During the program, Dew gave special acknowledgement (a short video was shown) to the late jazz great Stanley Turrentine, who passed away recently. Turrentine performed at HSI's benefit a couple of years ago.

Lightford presented Dew with a check for $25,000 from the State of Illinois, for computers for HSI, to be utilized by youth and adults.

The many notable guests at the benefit included Willa Holden and Gary Jefferson of United Airlines (one of the many sponsors); LaRue Martin of UPS; Gloria Hemphill, daughter of the late Olympic athlete Jesse Owens; Sandra Scott of Sandra Scott Designs and Anthony Oliver, publisher, Streetwise newspaper.

Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.

Photo (Kimberly Lightford and Melvin Lightford)