Preserving Sweet Homes 2025

Voice of the People’s annual celebration of history and fundraiser, Sweet Home Uptown, was held Thursday, April 3rd at the Palmhouse in Evanston.  The event, dubbed the “Preservation Celebration”, proved to be an informative and sentimental coming together of people with “lived experience” in the fight for social justice and creating affordable housing opportunities. But the event also came off as a pep talk of sorts for team members preparing for their big game — now with a star player, the federal government, potentially sidelined.

In a time when larger foundations, non-profits and corporations are wracked with “uncertainty”, and simultaneously fielding an upsurge in donation requests, Voice is thankful to sponsors, as well as individuals and family funds — who stepped up in a big way, including with record attendance at Sweet Home Uptown 2025. (Donation commitments are still coming in and your support is wanted and needed: https://bit.ly/SweetHome2025 or vophousing.com/donate.)

Pictured (L to R): Eric Butler, Kari Moe, Jane Ramsey, Angela Clay, Mike Rohrbeck, Aurie Pennick, Kristin Faust, Mark Angelini, Hoan Huynh and Fritz Kaegi.

In no small measure, the great success of the Preservation Celebration was due to an amazing array of guests and speakers who made real their connection to Voice and their personal/professional journeys in social justice and affordable housing. Sen. Mike Simmons, in legislative session in Springfield, shared his message remotely. The crowd broke into applause at different times as he told his personal story about growing up in a diverse community and the importance of affordable housing. See Sen Simmons Video here.

Pedro Morales Jr., Voice’s very own, emceed the event with warmth and energy. President Eric Butler joined staff members Charles Jordan, Anna Miller, and Mike Rohrbeck in highlighting Resident Services programming and preservation victories, including progress on the 5-building Heart of Uptown Apartments (HUPA) project, now under construction.

But focus also was brought to the challenges of saving affordable housing, including at the 137-unit Leland Hotel. Starting in 2024, ONE Northside has been mobilizing a task force, powered by public officials, service agencies and Voice, to save and enlist support for a new potential buyer for the building, now Mercy Housing Lakefront. Even with this platform of support, the crowd learned of the additional difficulty in lining up services, funding and subsidies needed — The Special Alchemy that is affordable housing preservation. You can see the video of the same now on our YouTube Page: https://bit.ly/VoiceVideos.

Special Guest, Cook County Assessor, Fritz Kaegi addressed the crowd. He reiterated his commitment to reform, and strive for accuracy and equity in the property tax system, including supporting permanently affordable housing with tax relief – as one important member of the “Preservation Team”. He also shared his personal connection to Jane Ramsey, Legacy Leader Honoree. She was introduced by non-profit professional and executive coach, Kari Moe, a top aide to Mayor Harold Washington, Sen. Paul Wellstone and others, and member of the “sisterhood” including Jane Ramsey and Helen Shiller.

Jane’s story of family, of engagement with the civil rights movement, and her personal commitment to community development moved the crowd, including associations with Voice stretching out over decades. Kristin Faust, the Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, was central to the evening’s program, not as a housing official, but as a long-time friend to History Maker Honoree, Aurie Pennick – an iconic figure in racial justice and a ceiling-shattering role model in philanthropy. Aurie’s memories of work with Martin Luther King, fair housing and pioneering initiatives at the Chicago Community Trust, the MacArthur and Field Foundations moved the crowd.

Pictured (L to R): Zoe, Abbie and Huy from IL State Rep Hoan Huynh’s office get ready for their picture at the Selfie Wall.

Illinois Rep Hoan Huynh, now Vice Chair of the Housing Committee of the General Assembly, stirred the crowd with his introduction of Mark Angelini, Mover & Shaker Honoree. His personal perspective hit home on the need for affordable housing – as a refugee from a war torn country, like many housed by Voice of the People, and as the first Vietnamese American to be represented in the legislature. 

Mark Angelini, the penultimate community development professional, responsible for preservation of affordable housing for thousands of individuals and families, made his remarks a closing call-to-action. We cannot afford to lose any of our affordable housing! We need to shake up the system so our most disadvantaged among us have access to services, economic opportunities and healthcare — made possible by the affordable housing they have; with neighbors and in the community they know best.

Pictured (L to R): Angelo Perez, Voice Secretary & HUPA Project Resident, with Mark Angelini of Mercy Housing Lakefront, prospective owner of the Leland Hotel, both featured in film The Special Alchemy: Affordable Housing Preservation

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Thanks go out to all the Sweet Home Uptown 2025 Hosts, Sponsors and supporters, event consultants Hoopla Communications, Host/Sponsor Coordinator, Rita McLennon and Executive/Events Administrator, Shirley Watson. Kudos to Voice’s housing partner, Preservation of Affordable Housing, and advocacy partners, ONE Northside and Northside Action for Justice.

Special Recognition goes out to our video production team for the film The Special Alchemy: Affordable Housing Preservation, especially hosts at two locations, including POAH, Skender Construction, Preservation Compact and ONE Northside. The videographer was Lorenzo Leyva, supported by Voice Manager, Anna Miller, and film producer, Christopher Rohrbeck, who lent his time to the project. 

Food vendors made the evening special. Thanks to Fat Cat Chicago, Everybody’s Coffee, Greenspoon Catering and especially Assad’s Mediterranean Bites, housed at Shop & Save (next to Voice Offices @ Sheridan/Wilson).

Tax Relief for Affordable Housing Owners

Senator Mike Simmons and Voice of the People in Uptown is inviting representatives of affordable housing owners to “Meet the Commissioner” — Samantha Steele of the Cook County Board of Review at a short presentation and reception Wednesday, July 19th, 4 pm at Truman College.

You’ll want to meet Ms. Steele, District 2 Commissioner, who has been elected by citizens of northern Chicagoland and charged with helping to make our property tax system more fair and equitable through property tax appeals.

She’ll be joined by other recently elected public officials, including 13th District State Representative Hoan Huynh and Alderwoman Angela Clay of the 46th Ward, who are committed to advancing support to affordable housing owners who are key to maintaining the economic, racial and needs diversity we have in Chicago communities. SEE OUR ANNOUNCEMENT FLYER.

Sen. Mike Simmons, session host, along with Voice of the People, a non-profit and tenant-led housing organization, are bringing affordable housing owners together on issues of common concern, beginning with property taxes.

Property taxes that are too high can threaten cash flows and long term viability of affordable housing developments — even as owners absorb hidden “social costs” not always reflected in the property financial statements, nor submitted as background for assessment and appeals. This will be the subject of a short presentation by our resource person, Craig Donnewald, Esq. of Finkel Martwick & Colson.

The information is not legal advice, but guidance to non-profit and affordable housing owners or partner representatives, asset managers and property management professionals who work closely with legal counsel or consultants seeking relief with property tax appeals.

If you’d like to attend, please rsvp to events@vophousing.com or call 773.769.2442 for more information.

ANNOUNCING SPECIAL EVENT

A FUNDRAISER, CELEBRATION OF HISTORY, AND BLUES EVENT

Voice has been around for more than fifty years and is gearing up for the next fifty, but not without first celebrating our history, honoring our heroes and having fun at a virtual blues music event October 8th 2020 6:00 pm.

Learn more about “Sweet Home Uptown” where Voice tenants and supporters, past and present, will come together around the importance of affordable housing, social justice and economic diversity in Uptown.

RSVP for FREE or donate today at any level

Affordable housing residents and Voice alumni can contribute to our congratulatory or historical videos highlighting the work of our distinguished honorees and Voice of the People throughout the years. If interested, e-mail us at VoiceOfThePeople@UptownVoice.org.

Read more about our Sweet Home Uptown host committee members and sponsors who are supporting this worthy effort and about our Honorees contributions to Uptown.  And, enjoy the blues music that inspires us.

Celebrate Juneteenth!


While many people in the United States celebrate Independence Day on July 4, there is another date that’s viewed as Independence Day. That’s the holiday known as Juneteenth. Almost two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, news arrived in Galveston, Texas that all slaves were to be set free. The official date, June 19, 1865, became known as Freedom/Independence Day and later, Juneteenth. Although Juneteenth is not an official federal holiday, it’s celebrated throughout the country with parades, family reunions, rodeos, picnics and rich African American traditions.  

Virtual Celebrations


  • Juneteenth Virtual Meditation, Friday, June 19, 1:00pm 
  • Juneteenth Virtual Trivia Game Night, Friday, June 19, 5:30pm
  • Juneteenth Official Online Festival, Friday, June 19, 9:00pm



  • Resources for More Information

    …For Kids
    …For Adults