Let It Be Us Honors Longtime Board Members, Elizabeth Felice and Douglas Locke, with 10-Year Service Awards

Let It Be Us, a leading nonprofit dedicated to providing innovative solutions for foster care and adoption in Illinois, proudly recognized two of its inaugural board members, Elizabeth Felice and Douglas Locke, with 10-year service awards at the 6th annual Be Mine gala. The event, held on May 10 at Chicago’s Walden event venue, celebrated a decade of achievements and the vital contributions of these dedicated educational professionals.

Founder and Executive Director Susan McConnell presented the awards, highlighting the exceptional commitment of Felice and Locke to the organization’s mission. Both have been instrumental in the development and success of the organization’s Independent Living Program, the Springboard to Adulthood Program, which supports young people in the child welfare system as they transition into adulthood by providing foster homes or family-like housing and comprehensive wrap-around services.

“Elizabeth and Douglas have been unwavering in their dedication to improving the lives of young people in our community,” said McConnell. “Their expertise and passion for education have been invaluable in shaping the Springboard to Adulthood program, ensuring that countless youth have the support and opportunities they need to succeed.”

Felice and Locke’s contributions extend beyond their roles as board members; they have actively engaged in mentoring and advocacy, working directly with youth to provide guidance and support. Their efforts have helped create a nurturing environment where young people can thrive and achieve their full potential.

“It has been an incredible journey working with Let It Be Us,” said Felice. “Seeing the positive impact we’ve made on the lives of these young people is deeply rewarding. I am honored to be part of such a dedicated and compassionate team.”

Locke echoed these sentiments, adding, “The work we do at Let It Be Us is crucial in providing stability and hope to youth in the child welfare system. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful cause.”

The Be Mine gala, which raised over half a million dollars, was a testament to the community’s support for Let It Be Us and its mission. Nearly 250 friends and supporters gathered to celebrate the organization’s achievements and to honor the contributions of Felice and Locke.

Let It Be Us continues to lead the way in innovative solutions for foster care and adoption in Illinois, striving to improve outcomes for children and families across the state. The dedication of board members like Elizabeth Felice and Douglas Locke underscores the impact of community involvement and the importance of sustained support for vulnerable youth.

About Let It Be Us

Let It Be Us is an Illinois 501(c)3 and licensed child welfare agency dedicated to changing the landscape of foster care and adoption in Illinois. The mission of Let It Be Us is to provide collaborative, innovative solutions of effective recruitment and placement for children in Illinois foster and adoptive care. The Let It Be Us vision is for all children in the Illinois child welfare system to achieve educational equity, employment equity, and overall well being through the incorporation of Let It Be Us Programming into statewide advancements in foster care adoption recruitment and placement. For more information about Let It Be Us, visit www.letitbeus.org.