On October 17, our community gathered for our annual fall fundraiser, Celebrating Allies. It was a powerful evening and we’re truly grateful for the chance to be together with so many incredible partners, allies, and supporters. This group generously came together to raise $92,501.45, committing to supporting survivors and CAASE! This breaks our record for the most money raised at a CAASE fundraiser. These funds directly support CAASE’s mission and the work our staff and community do every day. We could not be more grateful for the enthusiasm, generosity, and commitment of our community at Celebrating Allies 2024. 

Our goal for Celebrating Allies is always to uplift and show gratitude for the incredible allies in this work. We were truly thrilled to present the Visionary Award to Amanda Pyron, Executive Director of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. Amanda has accomplished so much over the course of her career in the domestic and family violence sector. Amanda and CAASE worked together closely to end cash bail in Illinois. We awarded Chuck Smith the Legacy Builder Award. Chuck is a highly experienced trial lawyer and partner at Skadden. We created this award to celebrate Chuck’s outstanding service in both his pro bono work, and also for being an exceptional mentor to colleagues. Chuck has supported numerous women Attorneys at Skadden who have legally represented people who have endured sex trafficking or rape. CAASE also recognized K&L Gates with our Pro Bono Excellence Award. In 2014, K&L Gates created the Cyber Civil Rights Legal Project (CCRLP), a global K&L Gates pro bono project providing legal services to victims of nonconsensual pornography (i.e., “revenge porn”). They have since helped thousands of survivors. 

We extend a special thank you to Josette Huang, our survivor speaker, as well as Sauntè Harden-Tate, our performer. They shared powerful words and stories. 

CAASE sends our sincere appreciation to the Celebrating Allies sponsors who make this event possible! Our genuine gratitude goes out to Skadden, Salon De Lara, The Silver Foundation, ArentFox Schiff, Boomerang Information Services, Friedman Family Fund, King & Spalding, Latham and Watkins LLP, Mayer Brown, Mercer, Baker McKenzie, Corboy & Demetrio, Chris Lilek, Motorola Solutions, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Paul Hastings, Perkins Coie, Jennifer Zobair and Chuck Smith, and Tito’s Vodka for their generous sponsorship. We are honored to work with you all. 

Our mission to address the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation is a large undertaking that requires allyship and support from a dedicated and steadfast community. By supporting CAASE, you directly help the survivors seeking our services and the students needing prevention education. Ending sexual harm is only possible through our collective efforts. Thank you for believing in a word free from sexual harm and for being a vital ally! 

If you have not supported Celebrating Allies 2024 yet, please consider making a donation today. 

This piece was published on October 21, 2024. It was authored by Lizzy Springer and edited by LaQuita Hearn-Quinn. Learn more about our staff here.