Participants and Staff Celebrate Deborah’s Place Silver Anniversary

The gym of the Rebecca Johnson Apartments at 2822 W. Jackson Blvd. was filled with dozens of smiling faces on Wednesday, September 22nd as Deborah’s Place participants and staff came together to celebrate the organization’s 25 years of service.

Over 140 participants and staff from our five housing programs and two daytime drop-in Learning Centers socialized, ate, danced, and reminisced throughout the afternoon. The gym was adorned with silver and purple balloons and dozens of tables were lined with shiny purple tablecloths. Hung on the walls were life-sized plastic doors representing each of the past and current programs of Deborah’s Place, on which guests were encouraged to write and post their fondest memories of those programs. “Freedom,” “Getting to know all the amazing women,” and “Home & Community” are just a few of the dozens of memories that were posted on the doors.

At the start of the event, Jean Durkin, coordinator of the Learning Center at 1530/32 N. Sedgwick, took to the microphone to welcome guests. Hoots and hollers boomed throughout the gym as she asked the women and staff to shout out if they remembered “the early days of Deborah’s Place and the skinny, cold mats at the overnight shelter,” or “when Marah’s moved from 1110 N. Noble St. to 1456 W. Oakdale Ave.,” or “when the Rebecca Johnson Apartments opened in the year 2000.”

Following the warm welcome, guests sat and talked over a delicious buffet lunch provided by Gwendolyn Scott and friends. Throughout the day women and staff were able to have their picture taken, individually or in groups, at a “photo booth.” Pictures were printed out on the spot and placed in pretty 25th Anniversary frames to remind people of the milestone celebration.

The Deborah’s Place gym was transformed into a banquet hall for the celebration.	A Deborah’s Place Resident and Deborah’s Place Executive Director Audrey Thomas prepare to cut the cake.

After lunch, staff and participants danced non-stop to DJ “J Kidd’s” energetic music. A “dance off” even broke out toward the end of the event!

Goodie bags filled with chocolate treats, a purple votive, and a Deborah’s Place house-shaped keychain were given out to the guests as they left.

Rebecca Johnson Tenant Stephanie Dixon shows off her photo, taken at the event.	Deborah’s Place tenants, participants, and staff cheer each other on during the dance-off at the end of the evening.

The Deborah’s Place in-house 25th Anniversary Celebration was an exciting day filled with fond memories, laughter, and reminders of the strength and accomplishments of our participants and staff – past and present.

A tremendous thank you goes out to the Deborah’s Place staff members who, in addition to their daily responsibilities, put hours of hard work into planning this memorable day: Kim Davidson, Stephanie Dixon, Jean Durkin, Carla Felton, Gail Lewis, Erica Mosely, and Lesa Spravka.

Thank you as well to the additional staff who volunteered at the event, and to photographer Katie Raeber, who donated her time and talent, and DJ J Kidd – aka Jeremia Cole – and Gwendolyn Scott who both provided discounted services to the event.

The Celebration Committee poses with their Certificates of Appreciation while DJ J Kidd spins on the stage. L to R are: Gail Lewis, Carla Felton, Lesa Spravka, Erica Mosely, Jean Durkin, Kim Davidson, and Stephanie Dixon.

To read about Deborah’s Place’s 25-year history, visit the About Us page of our website.