Welcome to Cara’s Tribute to the Stars

Our traditional breakfast event is canceled, but we still want to celebrate with you!

Celebrating 15 Years of Cleanslate

Tribute to the Stars presented by Jackson and Jim & Kay Mabie is going virtual in 2020. Join us for our most mission-focused event as we honor our employed Cara graduates and the corporate and community partners who have been instrumental in their success. We will also pay tribute to our social enterprise Cleanslate as they mark 15 years of transforming the physical and social landscapes of our neighborhoods.

This event took place over four days from October 21 to 24, 2020. Scroll down to watch our full library of Tribute to the Stars videos. Thank you to everyone who supported the Cara community and our rising stars!

Make a Gift to Support Our Community

Thank you for making a gift to Cara. Your support goes to work to ensure each Cara participant can too. We greatly appreciate a gift of any amount to support our mission. Your donation will:

  • Provide hope, personal and professional training, and resources to our motivated job seekers
  • Keep our participants on their pathway out of poverty towards a brighter future
  • Plus, thanks to a generous gift, the first $5,000 in personal donations are matched dollar for dollar
Donate

Our Program

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Speaker
Motivations
Honoree
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Speaker

Tribute Welcome

Jesse Teverbaugh, welcomes everyone to our virtual Tribute to the Stars and shares what we have in store!
Speaker

Tribute Welcome

Jesse Teverbaugh, welcomes everyone to our virtual Tribute to the Stars and shares what we have in store!
Honoree

Mark Carroll – 2020 Thomas M. Owens Mission Award Honoree

Members of the Cara community share why Mark Carroll is this year’s Thomas M. Owens Mission Award Honoree.
Motivations

Motivations – Emmett

Cara graduate Emmett shares something significant for which he is thankful.
Honoree

Uptown United – 2020 Good Neighbor Award Honoree

Brady Gott share what makes Uptown United a good neighbor and our 2020 award recipient.
Motivations

Motivations – Brett

Cara graduate Brett shares a challenge he overcame that can motivate someone else.
Speaker

Remarks from our President & CEO, Maria Kim

Watch a special messsage from our President & CEO, Maria Kim
Motivations

Motivations – Jeanette

Cara graduate Jeanette shares a time she learned from a past mistake.
Speaker

A special message from Lisa Siqueira

Lisa Siqueira shares what it meant to be the 2015 recipient of the Thomas M. Owens Mission Award.
Speaker

A special message from Pete Halligan

Pete Halligan shares what it meant to be the 2017 recipient of the Thomas M. Owens Mission Award.
Speaker

A special message from Randy Roach

Randy Roach shares what it meant to be the 2018 recipient of the Thomas M. Owens Mission Award.
Speaker

A special message from The Habitat Company

Matt Fiascone shares what it meant for The Habitat Company to receive the 2015 Good Neighbor Award.
Speaker

A special message from JLL

Dan Ryan shares what it meant for JLL to receive the 2007 Good Neighbor Award.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

Jobs Sponsors

Opportunity Sponsors

Hope Sponsors

Cleanslate Sponsor

  • Randy Roach Volunteer
    “
    The stories of strength and the human spirit that happen at Cara are truly amazing. The ability to be a part of this community is pretty daunting in a good way.
    ”
  • Pete Halligan Executive Council Member
    “
    The Cara community to me means being within a group of friends, helping each other. It’s an extension of family.
    ”
  • Lisa Siqueira Former Associate Board President
    “
    Anytime I go to Motivations, I feel that spark reinvigorate inside me that inspires me to do more. It’s something you can’t recreate without Cara.
    ”
  • Matt Fiascone The Habitat Company
    “
    It’s a privilege to work with a special group like Cara who is so motivating and successful at what they do, while lifting up those in our communities who need it the most. I can’t think of anything better.
    ”
  • Emmett Class of September 2017
    “
    To me, Cleanslate is the best program in Chicago. Every area of my life I needed help in, I got it. It will give you every opportunity you need, but you have to apply yourself and take advantage of those opportunities.
    ”
  • Corneisha Class of October 2018
    “
    At this point in my life, what motivates me is my past. I don’t fixate on the past because that would be like driving while looking in the rearview mirror – a crash is bound to happen. However, I do allow myself to look back at how miserable I used to be on a dark road of destruction. I convert these memories into the fuel that I need to push me toward my bright future.
    ”
  • Kathleen Class of August 2019
    “
    During this time, I’ve thought about how fortunate I am. Even though I do not currently have a job, I am grateful for family and friends who care about me, a safe place to live, enough food to eat, and good health. I am reminded of my blessings.
    ”
  • Sarah Class of December 2017
    “
    I worried about quarantining alone at home because routine and community are the cornerstones of my recovery. The silver lining of this pandemic has been finding online sobriety support communities. I feel rejuvenated, loved, and supported by women all over the world. I’ve never felt more connected, even being by myself during a global pandemic.
    ”
  • Regina Class of April 2014
    “
    When the pandemic hit, I thought my dreams were over. Some days are harder than others, but I keep pressing on thanks to the support of my Cara family, my AA family (I just celebrated seven years of sobriety), and the assistance of my coworkers.
    ”
  • Larry Cara Class of June 2017
    “
    At this point in my life, I’m financially stable with a full-time job. I’m happy that I can provide for my family and love to see the smiles on their faces. I would like to thank God, Cara, and Growing Home for partnering with Cara; it means a lot to me and to my family.
    ”
  • Michelle Cara Class of January 2020
    “
    At this point in my life, I am motivated to do the right thing. Living a life of second chances and in recovery, I receive blessings beyond measure. I am kind, work hard, and look at myself honestly – every day. The silver lining is waking up each day to do the next right thing.
    ”