OUTREACH AND EVENTS

Throughout the year, the Outreach Team reaches out to veterans and their families with co-sponsored community events and presentations. Please join us. We look forward to meeting you and introducing the services we offer at the Road Home Program.
RUSH | Road Home Program
Artfully Facing Trauma

FEATURED EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Soldier Field 10-Mile
Saturday, May 27

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with this 10-mile and 10K race along beautiful Lake Shore Drive. The race begins inside Soldier Field with a tribute to our fallen heroes and ends post-race with a full day of music and festivities on the grounds outside the stadium. Road Home is the official charity of the Soldier Field 10.

Veterans Softball Tournament
Beverly Park, July 8

The Chicago Park District partners with the Road Home Program for a day of family fun, food and 16-inch softball tournament on Saturday, July 8 at Beverly Park (2460 W. 102nd St., Chicago, IL 60655). Register your team in advance at Eventbrite.
Help-A-Hero
19th Ward Special Event
19th Ward alderman Matt O’Shea hosts the Help-A-Hero fundraiser from Memorial Day through July 4 including PTSD Awareness Month in June. All proceeds benefit the veteran’s mental health services at the Road Home Program. Learn more at the19thward.com.

Turkey Drop
Tuesday, November 15

Every year between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, JewelOsco, MolsonCoors, the Chicago Bears and the Road Home Program partner to give a Thanksgiving feast complete with turkey and all the fixings to over 600 veteran families.

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

September, 2023   (Download PDF)
Date
Activity

Every Thursday
10am – 12pm

Every Friday
9am – 11am

Blue Door Neighborhood Center Veterans Coffee Socials
Blue Door Neighborhood Centers are friendly spaces to learn, connect and focus on your health. Join us for conversations and a cup of joe at our weekly veteran coffee breaks. Family and supporters are welcome.

Every Thursday at Blue Door, 2551 W. Cermak Road, Chicago, IL 60608
Every Friday at Blue Door, 756 E. 111th Street, Suites 102 and 103, Chicago IL 60628

August 30 – 
September 17

Gallery Hours
Mon–Thurs
9am–6pm
Friday
9am–5pm
Sat-Sun
9am–4pm

Artfully Facing Trauma: Mask Art Exhibit

This exhibit features masks created by veterans as part of the healing process to overcome PTSD. Art therapy is an integral component of the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the Road Home Program at Rush. Mask-making is an exercise that allows individuals to process experiences in a non-verbal way. Participants use both sides of the mask to express their public and private selves.

The outside of the mask signifies what they show the world and what they think their families and friends want to see. The inside of the mask signifies what they keep inside, the thoughts, emotions or memories that may be difficult to verbalize. The artwork displayed in this exhibit has been intentionally donated to inspire future veterans to express themselves visually and to show civilians what they have been through.

Evanston Art Center, First Floor Gallery
1717 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201

September 5
9:30am – 2pm

UIC Department of Veteran Affairs Resource Fair
Stop by the Student Center East on the UIC campus to learn about about the latest resources available to veterans. Road Home Program will host a table.

Main Entrance of Student Center East
750 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60607

September 8
9am – 4pm

Women Veteran Standdown & Mini-Retreat
This is a joint event by the Jesse Brown and Hines VA Women’s Health Programs to celebrate the women veterans who have served in the Armed Forces. Join us for speakers, on-site wellness programs, lunch, gifts, vendors and more. No cost tickets are available at Eventbrite (https://tinyurl.com/4r27rf2x) Free parking in Parking Garage with ticket validation.

Malcolm X College
1900 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612

September 12
9am – 3pm

8am Registration
and Breakfast

DuPage Veteran’s Suicide Prevention Coalition Seminar
This seminar is designed for social workers, law enforcement, paramedics, health care personnel, educators, veterans and anyone interested in learning about the prevention of veteran suicides. Learn what to do during a suicide attempt and what happens after a suicide attempt. You will also learn how to “ask the question.” Jesse Brown VA Hospital, DuPage County Health Department and Rosencrance are a few of the presenters. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Contact Steve Fixler, steven.fixler@dupageco.org or (630) 407-5655 for more information and to RSVP.

American Legion Post #76
570 S. Gary Ave., Carol Stream, IL 60188

September 14
10am – 1pm

UIC VITAL (Veteran Integration to Academic Leadership) Organization
Student Veterans Affairs at UIC is committed to sharing resources, organizations and opportunities that support the academic health and personal wellness of veteran and military-connected students. Learn to navigate VA, school and community. Road Home Program will host a table.

Cisar Student Veteran Center
750 S. Halsted Street, Room 248, Chicago, IL 60607

September
18 – 22
10am – 1pm

IACVAC – Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions
Annual Training.

Holiday Inn & Suites
101 Holiday Street, East Peoria, IL 61611

Road Home Events