Coming off of putting the final touches on a new 13-unit residency in Englewood, Chicago House presented its Annual Champagne Wrapture Benefit on Aug. 8 on the rooftop deck of 600 N. Fairbanks.
The event not only heralded the Englewood building but also kicked off a phase of new residential development in various Chicago neighborhoods designed for people living with HIV and experiencing homelessness.
Guests snacked on citrus and herb shrimp and mini-Vietnamese veggie wraps as they sipped Brut Cesarini Sforza and Cava Proesca and participated in a silent auction. The evening also included a VIP reception featuring a cheese and champagne tasting curated by UVAE.
Prizes up for auction included a Molson Coors fire pit, a Bianchi bicycle, White Sox and Red Stars tickets, a candle-making class, a brewery tour and Porchlight Theater tickets. Drag personalities Belle de Balle and Sutton served as hosts for the evening.
Chicago House CEO Michael Herman spoke about the Englewood residence and a new project slated for East Garfield Park, which will provide another 24 new units of housing, as well as changing directions for Chicago House. With many people living with HIV flourishing for decades, Herman said, the focus of the organization is shifting toward long term residencies and meeting the needs for an aging LGBTQ+ population.
For more information on Chicago House go to www.chicagohouse.org
