Welcome to the Cara Summer Social

Watch our full virtual event now!

Join us for the (virtual) social event of the summer!

On Thursday, August 27, 2020 we hosted our first-ever interactive virtual event. Summer Social, hosted by the Cara Associate Board and presented by Slalom, Advanced Group, and The Beebe Family, featured food and beverage demonstrations from Chicago’s top chefs, music and entertainment, silent auctions, and more—all in support of transforming lives through the power of a job.

View our virtual Summer Social Program Book.

Make a Gift to Support Our Community

Thanks to our friends at Creation Investments, the first $25,000 in personal donations to the Cara Summer Social were matched dollar for dollar. While we succeeded in activating our full match, we still have work to do. Your donation to Cara will:

Provide hope, personal and professional training, and resources to our motivated job seekers
Help families and communities rise above intergenerational poverty
Keep our participants on their pathway out of poverty towards a brighter future

Donate

Our Program

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Speakers

Cara Associate Board President Cordelia Seidel

Cara Associate Board President Cordelia Seidel welcomes our guests to the 2020 Cara Summer Social and shares why this organization matters.

Speakers

Cara Associate Board President Cordelia Seidel

Cara Associate Board President Cordelia Seidel welcomes our guests to the 2020 Cara Summer Social and shares why this organization matters.

Speakers

Mayor Lori Lightfoot

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot welcomes attendees to Cara’s first-ever virtual Summer Social.

Demonstrations

Mixology with Master Cicerone Jason Pratt

Master Cicerone Jason Pratt from our friends at Molson Coors demonstrates two beer cocktails for our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Speakers

Hey Cara Associate Board, Motivate Me! (Part 1)

Our friends at the Cara Associate Board participate in a virtual take on our signature morning Motivations as part of our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Speakers

Slalom

Our friends at Slalom have a special message for the virtual attendees of the 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Performances

Jason Isbell

Four-time Grammy winner and alt-country legend, Jason Isbell provides a special performance and message for the virtual attendees of our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Demonstrations

Eggplant Ceviche with Chef Danny Espinoza

Chef Danny Espinoza from Santa Masa demonstrates how to make an eggplant ceviche for our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Speakers

Jahmal Cole

Our friend Jahmal Cole from My Block My Hood My City shares a message and a call to action to the virtual attendees of our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Speakers

Hey Cara Associate Board, Motivate Me (Part 2)

Our friends at the Cara Associate Board participate in a virtual take on our signature morning Motivations as part of our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Performances

Ryan McKinny

Opera singer Ryan McKinny shares a special message and performance with virtual attendees of the 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Speakers

Advanced Group

Our friend Kim Marzano from Advanced Group has a special message to the virtual attendees of our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Demonstrations

Girl & The Goat Green Beans with Chef Stephanie Izard

Legendary Chicago Chef Stephanie Izard shares how to make her famous Girl & The Goat green beans at our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Speakers

Cara President & CEO Maria Kim

Cara President & CEO Maria Kim shares with attendees of the 2020 Cara Summer Social why the notion of community is important now more than ever and the light that comes from it.

Speakers

“Now I actually see a future for myself…”

JaShawn and Corneisha share a special bond of recovery and sisterhood. In this video, they detail their shared journey of coming to Cara.

Performances

Route 5

Chicago-based jazz quintet Route 5 perform for virtual attendees of the 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Demonstrations

Craft Pizza with Chef Christopher McCoy

Chef Christopher McCoy of Haymarket Pub & Brewery walks virtual attendees of the 2020 Cara Summer Social through how to make their famous craft pizza.

Speakers

Hey Cara Associate Board, Motivate Me (Part 3)

Our friends at the Cara Associate Board participate in a virtual take on our signature morning Motivations as part of our 2020 Cara Summer Social.

Speakers

Kevin Coval

Our friend and author Kevin Coval from Young Chicago Authors shares a special message and reading to virtual attendees of our 2020 Cara Summer Social.