DuPagePads Invites Community Members to 23rd Annual Wake Up Your Spirit Breakfast with Keynote Speaker, Angie Walker

WHEATON, ILLINOIS – Lift up your spirit and help uplift neighbors in need across our community during the DuPagePads Wake Up Your Spirit Breakfast! The 23rd annual inspirational breakfast will be held on Wednesday, November 5th, from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at Abbington Distinctive Banquets.

This motivational morning benefits over 300 guests currently in shelter at DuPagePads Interim Housing Center on their path to ending their homelessness, as well as another 200 individuals in supportive housing. As guests enjoy a warm breakfast, April Redzic, President and CEO, will share updates about DuPagePads’ mission to end homelessness and welcome a client to share how their life has been personally transformed by services made possible through donors’ generous support.

This year’s featured keynote speaker, Angie Walker, is the Homeless Program Manager with the City of Rockford Health & Human Services Department. She oversees all homeless programs for the City of Rockford, including the HUD CoC/ESG programs, Single Point of Entry System for a two-county area, street outreach team, Rapid Rehousing, Mental Health Programs, and Medical Respite. Under her leadership, Rockford has been confirmed as reaching “functional zero” for both veterans and the chronically homeless. Along with her staff and partners, they are now working diligently to end all homelessness for all in Rockford. Angie received a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University and a Master of Public Administration from Capella University. She sits on the board of the Northern Illinois Homeless Coalition, is the Chair of the Coordinated Entry Committee, and the Mental Health & Homelessness Committee. Angie was recently appointed by Governor Pritzker to the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness for the State of Illinois.

“We’re excited to bring people together to celebrate kindness and inspiration through Wake Up Your Spirit on November 5,” said Redzic. “This year's breakfast will be special because it will provide our guests with a glimpse of the benefits—and steps needed—for a community to have a bed for everyone who needs one. We’ll also have the opportunity to honor Wheaton resident Victoria Tabbert as this year’s Spirit Award winner,” added Redzic. “Vickie led our organization as board chair through the pandemic and acquisition of our Interim Housing Center.”

Registration is available for $40 per person or $320 for a table of 8 guests through October 12th, with price increases to follow. Tickets and tables are available for purchase now at:

https://dupagepads.org/event/wake-up-your-spirit-breakfast-2025/

Thank you to our event sponsors! BMO Bank, FT Cares Foundation, Wheaton Bank & Trust, Schulte & Cleland Wealth Management, Coldwell Banker Realty Cares, STG Divorce Law, Republic Bank, Tuk Tuk Naperville, PowerForward DuPage, Richards Graphic Communications, and Edward Jones – Chris Phalon.

For more information about sponsorship and advertising opportunities, please contact Carrie Flick at 630.480.4186 or CFlick@dupagepads.org. ### With 40 years of service, DuPagePads is the largest provider of services to those who are homeless in DuPage County. DuPagePads’ solution to ending homelessness is housing, coupled with support services and employment to transform lives. The administration office is located at 601 West Liberty, Wheaton, IL 60187. Additional information can be obtained by contacting DuPagePads at 630.682.3846 or at www.dupagepads.org.