Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) celebrated its 44th Annual True Friend Celebration Sat., Oct. 5, 2025, at Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago. Over 250 people attended the event, raising more than $300,000 for children’s programs at LSSI, including $100,000 from the evening’s paddle raise and live auction, which was matched by an anonymous donor.
Longtime LSSI Board of Directors member John Rudy and his wife Liz received the True Friend award for their service, leadership, support, and guidance over several decades to LSSI and their community. Since 1981, LSSI has presented the True Friend Award annually to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the human community.
“It has truly been an honor to serve with so many dedicated board members during my 12 years on the LSSI board and terms as chair,” John Rudy said in receiving the award on behalf him and Liz. The Rudys have supported and volunteered at LSSI for several decades, and Liz was active with the DuPage County nonprofit Hope’s Front Door. “We should all be proud that LSSI has been resilient as it faced many challenges, and today enjoys a strong financial posture, allowing the agency to face future challenges, continue to grow and innovate, all with the goal of finding new ways to serve those in need throughout the state.”
The theme of the event was “Bright Futures, Big Dreams,” and funds raised will help children heal from trauma, find safe and loving foster homes, and receive the counseling and support they need to thrive.
The evening also included an inspirational account from Lindsey Clark, who first fostered—then adopted—two siblings through LSSI. Clark said she always wanted to be a mom and learned about the great need for foster parents. She became licensed and began fostering her now son and daughter. When it became clear that the children would not be returning to their biological family, Clark was eager to adopt them. “They had lived with me for nearly three years, over half of their lives,” she said.
At first Clark’s children didn’t understand the adoption process. “But when we moved to a new home that was ours, not mine, they understood that the three of us were a family.” she said.
In addition, the program included Bri Tade, a counselor with LSSI’s Step Up School-Based Counseling Program, which serves children in nearly 90 Chicago Public Schools. Tade shared about her work helping kindergarten-through-grade-eight students struggling with anxiety or depression before they reach a crisis situation.
“I see students wanting to address a wide range of concerns—whether a familial trauma that is impacting their ability to function at school or the all-too-familiar anxieties that come up for our young folks,” she said. “Although I love being able to create long-lasting therapeutic relationships with my students, it is a testament to our work in the schools when they no longer need to see me. Whether students leave my office having learned a couple of new coping mechanisms or simply with the confirmation that there is another trusted adult in the building who will always show up for them and their personal growth—this work matters.”
Click here to view video highlights of the evening.
Next year’s True Friend Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
