For Immediate Release
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
 
Contact: Diane Nilan, diane@hearus.us
 
 
Event honoring Pat Van Doren, activist for families experiencing homelessness: Nov. 12 in Bolingbrook, Illinois
 
Time: Saturday, November 12, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Heritage Woods of Bolingbrook, 550 Kildeer Dr., Bolingbrook
Sponsor: HEAR US Inc. https://hearus.us
 
 
U.S. Representative Bill Foster (D-Ill., 11th District) will honor Pat Van Doren’s decades of dedication to the issue of family homelessness. Over the past 30 years Pat, a retired photojournalist for the Naperville Sun and other publications, has created poignant images of infants, children and adults experiencing homelessness.
 
Pat Van Doren’s iconic photos led to vital changes in state and federal legislation that have benefitted children and youth. Her media savvy helped advocates craft successful, visible campaigns to highlight legislative action needed to address homelessness.
 
A founding member of the Naperville-based HEAR US board of directors, Pat has contributed immeasurably to the national nonprofit organization’s mission of “giving voice and visibility to families and youth experiencing homelessness.”
 
The HEAR US Inc. board will pay tribute to Pat’s contributions, highlighting her two most iconic images imbedded into handmade quilts, “Charlie” and “These Little Piggies are Homeless.”
 
Quilts and blankets sewn by volunteers from Naperville, Aurora, and Huntley will be the centerpieces of a dramatic event on the West Lawn of the US Capitol on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. The Homeless Memorial Blanket Project’s art display for National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, sponsored by the Charles Bruce Foundation, will remind the country that homelessness affecting “families, youth and adults” continues to soar, impacting the living and causing untold deaths. 
 
On Dec. 21, HEAR US volunteers will be in DC to help cover thousands of square feet of the West Lawn with hundreds of blankets handmade by people from across the country in a stunning visual display of love for strangers by strangers. The blankets will be given out to families and individuals in need following the event. 
 
On Nov. 12, Pat Van Doren will be joined by family, friends and residents of Heritage Woods. Refreshments will be served. Open to the public. Accessible.
 
For more information, contact Diane Nilan, diane@hearus.us.
 
See also:
 
Homeless Memorial Blanket Project
Contact: Pat LaMarche, Epicjourney10@gmail.com 
 
“Homeless Memorial Blanket Project puts a spotlight on housing insecurity”
The AFRO (Washington DC), November 6, 2022
 
 
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