OUTREACH AND EVENTS

Throughout the year, the outreach team reaches out to veterans and their families with co-sponsored events and presentations to the community. To request a presentation on Military 101, PTSD 101 or to learn more about partnering with us on future events, contact ashton_kroner@rush.edu

VOLUNTEER
RUSH | Road Home Program
Events

FEATURED EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Soldier Field 10-Mile
Saturday, May 27

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with this classic 10-mile 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-Mile.
Veterans Softball Tournament
Beverly Park, July 23
The Chicago Park District partners with Chicago Sport and Social and the Road Home Program for a day of fun, food and 16-inch softball tournament on Saturday, July 23 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.

2023 CALENDAR

March, 2023   (Download PDF)
Date
Activity

March 18
7:05PM

Chicago Steel Hockey Military Appreciation Night
Enjoy a night of Chicago Steel hockey as they take on the Dubuque Fighting Saints and celebrate Military Appreciation Night with FREE tickets to active duty military, veterans and your families (up to 6 tickets per request, while supplies last).

The Steel will wear special jerseys to be auctioned online to benefit Wounded Warriors Project. For tickets and information, call the Chicago Steel Box Office at (855) 51-STEEL.

Arrive early at 3:30PM to catch the Chicago Blackhawk Warriors (a team of veterans who have been injured or disabled during their service) take to the ice against the Central Illinois Warriors.

Fox Valley Ice Arena
1996 S. Kirk Rd, Geneva, IL 60134

March 20 – 24

Arizona Outreach
RHP Outreach Staff travels to Maricopa and Pinal County in Arizona to meet with VAs, Vet Centers and representatives of non-profit organizations and other programs that support veterans and their families. A strong emphasis will be placed on reaching the Native American veteran population to forge relationships and create awareness of the programs and services offered at the Road Home Program.

March 23
10AM – 2PM

The Community and Networking Event at American Legion Post 76
The Road Home Program will join other organizations and businesses in the community who provide support to veterans and/or benefit from veteran involvement including local libraries; park districts; community colleges; adult education programs; local gym and fitness centers; churches and spiritual guidance centers; organizations providing employment assistance, elderly care and housing assistance; mental health and suicide prevention advocates as well as VA facilities, the American Legion family and VFW. Lunch will be available.

American Legion Post 76
570 South Gary Ave, Carol Stream, IL 60188

Support group
every other
Wednesday
1800 – 1930

Coffee with Chaps
Every other Wednesday, Mark Schimmelpfennig, Chaplain at the Road Home Program, moderates a VETERAN-TO-VETERAN peer support group. Discuss issues related to reintegration, trauma recovery, moral injury repair, the reestablishment of relationships and whatever else is on your mind. Ask and answer questions from fellow veterans. We are a battle-tested online community who understand you and offer encouragement with a healthy dose of candor and support.

The group is free to attend and meets online.
Register at roadhomeprogram.org/family-center/community-support-group/

Support group
first Thursday 
of every month
6PM – 7:30PM

Do You Love a Vet?
The Road Home Program provides a supportive and informative forum where caregivers, spouses, partners, family members, loved ones and friends meet virtually once a month to ask questions and offer encouragement as part of a community of people who understand what you are coping with. Learn what works and what to avoid with people facing similar challenges.

The group is free to attend and meets online.
Register at roadhomeprogram.org/family-center/community-support-group/

Road Home Events