Sean Hellems was an amazing colleague and friend, and it is our privilege to honor him for the joy and compassion he brought to his work at CSH.
Sean’s contributions ended way too soon, but his impact continues to make a difference in the lives of all who he touched. While working in our Chicago office, Sean helped organize our Speak Up! Illinois program, which empowers formerly homeless individuals who have found a home and place in the community through supportive housing—very affordable housing combined with life-enhancing support services.
When Sean arrived in our office, Speak Up! Illinois was still relatively new. He saw the value of the program and enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to move it forward. He not only succeeded in taking Speak Up! to another level, he formed personal bonds with the Advocates, the coaches, our partners and the wider community.
We miss Sean and are eager to continue and grow what he started. That is why we have created the Sean Hellems Fund to raise money for Speak Up! Illinois. We are asking those who knew Sean to honor his memory through this tribute. Every dollar we raise will go toward what Sean worked so hard to accomplish, an expanded and thriving Speak Up! Illinois that changes hearts and minds in order to end homelessness!
We hope you can join our tribute and help Speak Up! Illinois by contributing to Sean’s Memorial.
Below are the instructions for donating to honor Sean Hellems.
By Check: Please send your check made payable to CSH to the attention of Nancy McGraw, CSH, 61 Broadway, Floor 23, New York, New York 10006. In the memo section on the check, please write “In Honor of Sean Hellems.”
Online (Credit or Debit Card or PayPal): Please visit the donation site directly at: donatenow.networkforgood.org/csh. Once you have selected the donation amount and frequency, you will then be asked to submit your payment information (Credit or Debit Card or PayPal). When that is completed, please proceed to the section where you can designate a special purpose for your donation and use the drop-down menu to select the specific designation for “In Honor of Sean Hellems.” Pressing the Donate Now button will process your payment/contribution.
On behalf of Speak Up! Illinois and all of us who loved Sean, his passion and humanity, we thank you for helping advance his work to end homelessness in our communities through the transformational stories found in supportive housing.
