EVENT

The Cara Gala

May 15, 2026
The Geraghty

Our Signature Event

The Cara Gala is an opportunity for our community to come together in celebration of our mission, while uplifting and recognizing partners who are working to build a more inclusive economy for Chicago and beyond. This dinner event is attended by more than 650 leaders from the civic, philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors.

Date

Friday, May 15

Time

6:00 – 11:00 pm CT

Venue

The Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne, Chicago

Support Our Event

Advanced sponsorships now available. Click here to learn more. Contact Annie Drew at adrew@carachicago.org or (312) 628-7909.

Re-Live our 2025 Event

Event Gallery

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Our Program

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Video

Past Honorees Part 1

Our past Jesse Teverbaugh Distinguished Alumni honorees detail their life before discovering Cara Collective.

Video

Past Honorees Part 1

Our past Jesse Teverbaugh Distinguished Alumni honorees detail their life before discovering Cara Collective.

Speech

President & CEO’s Remarks

Cara Collective President & CEO, Kathleen St. Louis Caliento, shares the importance of legacy in her address to attendees of the 10th Annual Cara Gala.

Video

Past Honorees Part 2

Our past Jesse Teverbaugh Distinguished Alumni honorees share their journey through Cara Collective and what they learned about themselves.

Award

Trailblazer Award: BMO

Eric Smith, Vice Chairman for BMO, accepts the Trailblazer Award at the 10th Annual Cara Gala.

Speech

Remarks of Gratitude

Cara Collective’s Chief External Affairs Officer, Tara Harper, delivers remarks of gratitude at the 10th Annual Cara Gala.

Speech

Senator Durbin Remarks

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin greets attendees of the 10th Annual Cara Gala.

Video

Past Honorees Part 3

Our past Jesse Teverbaugh Distinguished Alumni honorees share how they’ve transformed their lives since coming to Cara Collective.

Speech

Board Chair Remarks

Cara Collective’s Board Chair, J. Todd Phillips, addresses the crowd at the 10th Annual Cara Gala.

Video

Jeanette’s Story

Jeanette, our 2025 Jesse Teverbaugh Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, shares her journey of serving a federal prison sentence to finding a second chance.