Over 700 corporate, foundation, government and community partners of Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) attended NHS’ 36th Annual Awards Dinner, Building, Growing, Leading, at Union Station’s Great Hall in late March. The event honored individuals who have impacted and strengthened Chicago area neighborhoods through their leadership and advocacy for affordable housing. This year’s dinner raised more than $445,000 in support of NHS’ programs. Among the honorees was Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who received the NHS 2011 Community Advocate Award for her work in protecting homeowners from predatory lending and mortgage fraud. Longtime Chicago homeowner William Jones, himself the unknowing victim of a mortgage scam, presented Madigan with her award. He recently received a loan modification through the efforts of the NHS Chicago Lawn/Gage Park office.

In addition to Madigan, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel spoke at the dinner, emphasizing the need for citywide neighborhood unity to tackle and address the foreclosure crisis. “What happens in our neighborhoods cannot be separated from the health of our city,” said Mayor-elect Emanuel. “We need a coordinated investment strategy to help our neighborhoods and to bring the tools we have in the public sector, the private sector and the neighborhood groups to help us deal with this crisis that is affecting not only parts of the city but every neighborhood block by block.” Established in 1975, NHS of Chicago is a nonprofit housing, counseling and lending organization committed to offering individuals in Chicago and Elgin affordable resources so they can buy, fix, and keep their homes. For more information, visit www.nhschicago.org, or call 773-329-4010.