Fox Valley

Aurora Pride Parade names Grand Marshal

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AURORA — The Aurora Pride Parade has named Nancy Mullen as this year’s Grand Marhsal. Aurora Pride made the announcement on their Facebook page. Nancy Mullen is the executive director of Youth Outlook, a non-profit organization serving LGBTQ youth and working to increase visibility and understanding of LGBTQ youth issues in DuPage, Kane, Whiteside, LaSalle, DeKalb and suburban Cook Counties. Mullen just celebrated her 20th anniversary with Youth Outlook, coming to the agency when it was only 6 months old. During her tenure, Youth Outlook has grown from a volunteer run social group with a single drop-in center to a recognized social services agency with drop-in centers in six counties including Transcend, a program specific to the interests and needs of trans youth in Naperville and Palatine, a youth leadership project, a healthy relationships program, parent support groups, a peer-led HIV prevention project and a thriving community education/professional development program.

Chicagoland

Chicago Pride Parade announces 2019 Grand Marshals

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The founder of Buffalo Grove Pride and organizers of Aurora Pride among those honored. CHICAGO — The Chicago Pride Parade has announced its grand marshals for this year’s event. In honor of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, the Parade will have several marshals. There will be an Honorary Grand Marshal that has yet to be announced; a Youth Grand Marshal; several“ Legacy” Grand Marshals, three community members continually active in LGBTQ+ organizations and/or business since before Stonewall for 50 years +, and an Organizational Grand Marshal. The Youth Grand Marshal is Molly Pinta, one of the founders of Buffalo Grove Pride.

Fox Valley

Deadline for Aurora Pride Parade applications approaching

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AURORA — The deadline for groups to march in the Aurora Pride Parade is on Sunday, May 12. Businesses, church groups, non-profit organizations, youth groups, schools and community organizations are all welcome to participate. The parade is scheduled on Sunday, June 9, 2019. Kick-off is at Benton andRiver Street at 12:00 p.m. going north on Broadway Street, west on Downer Place and ending at River Street. Groups can sign up through this form.

Fox Valley

Youth Outlook hosting No Boundaries Ride on May 19

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ST. CHARLES — Youth Outlook is hosing at No Boundaries Ride fundraiser on Sunday, May 19. The ride is a motorcycle charity ride and after-party. It starts in St. Charles and ends in Yorkville. 

From the event announcement:
Join Organized Chaos and Youth Outlook for a motorcycle charity ride on Sunday, May 19.

Fox Valley

Aurora Pride extends fundraising drive

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AURORA  — Aurora Pride has raised the goal for their fundraising drive for the city’s Pride festival. The event is now hoping to get 500 donors by April 30. They currently have 379 donors on their GoFundMe page. Aurora Pride started the drive just over a week ago when they reached an agreement with the city of Aurora to pay $17,000 for security and supports services. The group raised the money within 24 hours with support from across the area.

Fox Valley

Update: Aurora Pride 2019 is back on, $17,000 raised in less than 24 hours

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AURORA —  The 2019 Aurora Pride celebration is back on. UPDATE: As of Wednesday morning, $17,520 had been raised on GoFundMe. The money was raised in less than 24 hours. Organizers and the city of Aurora made the announcement on Tuesday in a press conference that was livestreamed on Facebook. The event had been cancelled because costs to hold the parade and quadrupled after a January ordinance requiring private groups holding events like parades needed to pay the city for security.

Fox Valley

2019 Aurora Pride Festival cancelled because of increased costs

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AURORA — The 2019 Aurora Pride Festival and Parade has been cancelled because of increased costs from the city. Indivisible Aurora made the announcement on Friday in a press release. From the press release:
Last year’s inaugural Aurora Pride Parade, the first in the Chicago suburbs, was an astounding success. It brought an estimated 10,000-12,000 incredible people together in downtown Aurora, filling our historic streets with love and downtown businesses with celebratory customers. We eagerly looked forward to expanding on that success with a larger weekend festival for 2019 and started work with the city almost immediately afterwards.

Fox Valley

Youth Outlook Community Table – Naperville on April 12

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NAPERVILLE — Youth Outlook will host its Community Table in Naperville on Friday, April 12. From the Facebook event:
Join Youth Outlook for a one-of-a-kind experience – our Community Table. Youth Outlook staff, volunteers, board members, individuals, and allies will gather in a celebration of love, family, friendship, and community. Our Community Table will feature a meal, a brief address and presentation, a chance to connect and communicate with allies and supporters, and more. Casual attire, please.

Fox Valley

Summit of Hope in Aurora on April 23

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AURORA — Illinois HIV Care Connect will be holding a Summit of Hope expo on April 23 at Painters District Council No. 30. From the Facebook event:
The Summit of Hope is a community expo, bringing together local service providers to create a “one-stop” environment for invited parolees and probationers to obtain necessary assistance to move past barriers, which may prevent an individual from leading a successful life. The Summit of Hope is a proven Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Department of Public Health sanctioned program, independently organized in individual communities throughout the state. These events are helped tremendously by the participation and generosity of each hosting community.