Raising the Roof, 9th Annual Gala KLEO Center
This year commences the 9th Annual Gala for the KLEO Center, a Nonprofit Family and Safe Haven Center, which will take place October 25, 2015 at Alhambra Palace. This year’s honorees are leaders in the community on various career paths representing a spectrum of fields of interests. Andrea Zopp Recent CEO-President of Chicago Urban league and curet U.S. Senate Candidate, Theaster Gates artist listed as one of the most powerful by Chicago Magazine and U of C darling; and Jennifer Bridgeforth, Domestic Violence Survivor, author and motivation speaker have all been chosen for their work with underserved communities and voices.
The KLEO Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families and providing a safe haven, for those in need of refuge through education, training, support and fun for people of all ages in the Chicago area community. The gala’s sole purpose is to continue to raise critical funds that support crucial programming in an effort to educate and end domestic violence.
The organization was birthed to life after Kleo Y Barrett who was 27 -years old, the youngest of 7 children born of Pastor T.L. and Cleopatra Barrett was found dead in her condominium along with the body of her 31-year old ex-boyfriend, March 31, 2007. The police report states that the individual likely killed his ex-girlfriend and then himself. Kleo was a Deputy Sheriff for Cook County Sheriff department at the time who was also a Minister in Training at Life Center Church of God in Christ.
KLEO will recognize the three individuals with the Kleo Barrett Angel Award. KLEO selected each honoree for their strong affinity and work with specific community programming and advocacy for under-served voices.
“I am humbled and grateful to receive the Angel Award from the KLEO Center and my friend Torrey Barrett” says honoree Andrea Zopp, and Candidate for U.S. Senate. “Transforming communities and preparing our children for bright futures requires collaboration and action from the public, private and non- profit sectors. The KLEO Center is an outstanding community resource that provide tremendous opportunities for children and families and I am happy to be among this year’s honorees.”
Torrey Barrett, the Executive Director for the KLEO Center said “For years KLEO has served the city of Chicago through unique and necessary programming. We recognize our journeys are paved with the support and on the foundation of individuals like Theaster, Andy and Jennifer who had fought their own personal battles and used those very battlegrounds as a means to serve others. Three very different roads have led them all to be honored at
this year’s gala.”
For one exciting evening, hundreds of KLEO’s strongest leaders, allies, and supporters will gather to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and look forward to further achievements. KLEO is honored to have such major influencers and community members join them in their quest to strengthen families through violence reduction initiative and empowerment programs.
This year’s event will be hosted by NBC-5’s Michelle Relerford and will feature a performance by Chicago’s very own Candice Marie and Damon Williams. For tickets and sponsorship information on KLEO’s 9th Annual Benefit Gala on Sunday, October 25th, please visit https://www.kleocenter.org
or call 773-363-6941.
The event is open to the public.
For information on sponsors and tickets visit:
https://thekleocenter.org/home/kleos-gala/.
About KLEO Center
KLEO Center is committed to empowering local Chicagoland communities by building a safe haven through education, public safety, health and human services, and economic development. KLEO’s vision is to help families live healthy and productive lives in safe, stable, self-sustaining urban communities through cooperative working relationships between residents and community leaders. KLEO has been operating and running on the Southside, serving the Chicago community since 2007.
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