Just when we thought UCAN’s Youth Leadership Awards could not get more heartwarming, special guest Beth Kaveny took her generosity one step further at last summer’s event by donating her auction item back to the youth in our programs. The item: 20 tickets to the United Center penthouse suite for the Jay Z concert. On December 5, our youth attended the 4:44 concert and walked away feeling like royalty!
These tickets, generously donated to our auction by BMO Harris Bank, included delicious food, cushy seating and sweeping views of the entire venue. Our youth had a wonderful time taking pictures, dancing and singing in the privacy of their suite. For some, a close second to the show was the choice of a myriad of giant desserts made available throughout the evening. 
“It was fun and I really enjoyed it!” says Angela Mauldin, a youth from our Violence Intervention and Prevention Services (VIPS). “It was my 1st Jay Z concert so it was really a great experience.”
“The way Jay Z controlled the crowd was great a real inspiring moment for real,” says Brion Williams, a youth also from VIPS.
“Attending the Jay Z 4:44 concert with my fellow UCAN Alumni was an amazing experience, one I believe we will never forget,” says Alumni Services Coordinator Pristina Singleton, a UCAN alumni herself. “Jay Z provided us all with encouragement ‘regardless of where you start or where you have been, if you have faith, work hard, and believe in yourself there is nothing in this world you cannot achieve.'”
More About the Youth Leadership Awards
The Youth Leadership Awards Dinner, UCAN’s flagship fundraiser, is held annually in June and celebrates the academic and personal achievements of UCAN’s outstanding youth. Each year, five exceptional young people are recognized and awarded scholarships for higher education. In addition to our youth awardees, UCAN will also present the fifth annual John D. Nichols Impact award to Scott E. Santi, Chairman and CEO of Illinois Tool Works Inc., in recognition of his impact on children and families in Chicago.
The 19th Annual Youth Leadership Awards dinner will be held on June 7, 2018 at The Four Seasons Chicago. The evening includes a cocktail reception, raffle, video presentation and dinner, followed by acceptance speeches by our award winners. We anticipate more than 500 guests, hopefully all with generous hearts like Beth Kaveny’s.
If you’d like to be part of this inspiring event next year, mark your calendar now!