Former President Bill Clinton to be the keynote speaker at the Annual Speaker Series Luncheon

Chicago House & Social Service Agency, the first organization in the Midwest to provide housing and support for people living with HIV and AIDS, will host their first ever Speaker Series Luncheon on November 11, 2009, welcoming President Bill Clinton as the keynote speaker.

The luncheon will feature a speech from President Clinton, followed by a Q&A session inclusive of questions pre-submitted by members of the public, Chicago House supporters, and event attendees.

The Annual Speaker Series Luncheon is a new endeavor for Chicago House and originated from a desire to raise awareness and education around the key issues of HIV/AIDS and homelessness, according to The Rev. Stan Sloan, Chicago House CEO:

"The time is right to try something different. The current economic climate makes traditional black tie events extremely difficult to execute in a profitable manner; however, our motivation is much bigger than dollars and cents. Chicago House wants to pioneer an event that will educate people and inspire them to help stem the tide of homelessness and HIV/AIDS in the city of Chicago. Since both of these issues are central to work of President Clinton's Foundation, he was our first choice to have as the keynote speaker. We are so excited to have him confirmed for this event and even more excited about the visibility that it will bring to the issues that confront so many Chicagoans on a daily basis."

Chicago House is as innovative in pioneering programming for people with HIV and AIDS as they are in developing smart fundraising strategies. They were the first organization in the Midwest to address the need for permanent housing for individuals affected by AIDS, as well as first to provide housing, tutoring, and mentoring to families and children affected by AIDS.

Chicago House also recently pioneered Chicago's first city-wide employment program for people with HIV/AIDS. In just three years over 250 people have graduated from the program, achieving greater self sufficiency, financial independence, and productivity.

Last November, Mayor Richard Daley cut the ribbon at Sweet Miss Giving's Bakery, an outgrowth of Chicago House's Employment Program, providing jobs as well as Chicago's best sweets for catering, gifting, and wholesale distribution. Sweet Miss Giving's is "Unquestionably Kind, Unreasonably Good!" with over 50% of all profits going immediately back to help the men, women, and children who call Chicago House home.