Mark Milligan and Robert Wahlgren
Co-founders of Bridge Communities, a transitional housing program for homeless families in DuPage County
Sister Alice Drewek
The driving force behind the creation of Canticle Place, the first affordable housing for persons living with HIV/AIDS in DuPage County
Munn Heydorn
Active community volunteer in numerous affordable housing programs in DuPage County
Philip Smith
Administrator, DuPage County Division of Human Services
Jan Kay
League of Women Voters, active community volunteer
Jack T. Knuepfer and Daniel L. Goodwin
Former DuPage County Board Chairman Knuepfer convened the DuPage County Affordable Housing Task Force, chaired by Mr. Goodwin, that recommended the creation of the DuPage Homeownership Center (DHOC 10th Anniversary Celebration)
Michael Brosnahan
Senior Vice President, West Suburban Bank, former DHOC Board President, and Chairman of the Grants Funding Committee, DuPage County Homeless Continuum of Care
Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities
Nonprofit agency offering a variety of services that empower persons with disabilities to live more independently, including promoting and providing affordable community-based housing
DuPage Housing Action Coalition
Grassroots network that advocates for affordable and fair housing in DuPage County by collaborating with area elected officials and with regional and national advocacy groups to enact legislation and promote affordable housing options
Roger Morsch
Director Business and Product Development, Illinois Housing Development Authority, recognized for leadership in developing creative mortgage products for affordable homeownership.
Community Housing Association of DuPage
Nonprofit organization providing and advocating for quality affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons in DuPage, recognized for their Just Homes program
Carol Simler
Executive Director, DuPage PADS, recognized for leadership in changing the outlook for chronically homeless people by shifting PADS’ mission beyond serving those who are homeless to ending homelessness by providing permanent, stable, supportive and affordable housing
DuPage Habitat for Humanity
Nonprofit affordable housing developer recognized for Pioneer Prairie, an 11-unit development of affordable single-family homes in West Chicago that incorporates cutting-edge green technology.
Mary Ellen Durbin
Executive Director, People's Resource Center, recognized for over two decades of outstanding leadership in affordable housing issues ranging from homelessness to homeownership, including co-chairing the DuPage Housing Action Coalition.
Dru J. Bergman
Former Executive Director, DuPage Homeownership Center, outstanding leader in our community, who created a pathway for thousands of people to sustainable homeownership and who was a first-responder in the housing market providing quality housing counseling services to hundreds of beleagured homeowners, to help them avert foreclosure.
The DuPage Homeownership Center (DHOC) presents the Christ Award annually to an individual or organization that is making substantial contributions to affordable housing in DuPage County. It is named in honor of the Center’s founding board president, Robert Christ, who was a leading affordable housing activist in our community. For more information, contact DHOC at (630) 260-2500.
