McGaw YMCA President/CEO Monique Parsons was honored at the Chessmen Club’s Annual Community Service Awards Dinner & Benefit.
EVANSTON, IL. – On Friday, October 14, the Chessmen Club of the North Shore, Inc. honored McGaw YMCA’s President/CEO Monique Parsons for her outstanding community service at the 64th Annual Community Service Awards Dinner & Benefit. Fellow honorees included Robin Rue Simmons, former Evanston 5th Ward Alderperson and Founder and Executive Director of First Repair, and Evanston Township High School Student Olivia Ohlson.
Chessmen Club President Reynold Martin (L) and Treasurer Peter Braithwaite pictured with Community Service Award honoree Monique Parsons. (Photo credit: Genie Lemieux)
The annual event honors Black leaders for their extraordinary work in their respective fields throughout the Evanston and North Shore communities. Parsons began her career at the McGaw YMCA as Vice President of Programs in 2005 and became Chief Operating Officer in 2012. She was appointed as McGaw Y’s first woman and first Black woman President/CEO in 2018, where she leads a committed team who are focused on broadening the YMCA’s reach and services throughout the Evanston community to meet the most pressing social needs. Her visionary work includes the Men’s Residence Renovation Project, a community-wide effort to raise $12.6 million to update the residence facilities in the historic 1000 Grove Street building. Parsons is helping to lead the Y’s national effort in becoming an anti-racist, multicultural organization by actively participating in national YMCA racial equity cohorts like the Boys & Young Men of Color (BYMOC) initiative.
McGaw YMCA staff and board members joined in the celebration to honor Parsons.
A lifelong Evanstonian, Parsons was honored by the Chessmen Club as a recognized and respected leader and youth advocate in the community through her work at the YMCA and her nearly eight-year tenure on the Board of Education for Evanston Township High School District 202. In both her professional and volunteer roles, Parsons works each day to collaborate with school and city officials, community partners, youth, and families to create welcoming, inclusive, and positive spaces throughout Evanston where young people are recognized, affirmed, and respected, particularly those who have been historically excluded.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Chessmen Club for doing what I love – strengthening community. I am passionate about ensuring that everyone in our community, especially our most marginalized, has access to the opportunities, relationships, and resources necessary to thrive,” Parsons said. “I appreciate the Chessmen Club for recognizing all of the honorees and thank them for seeing me as a leader dedicated to serving the Evanston community,” Parsons added.
(Photo credit: Genie Lemieux)
Learn more about the award winners at ChessmenClub.org/Annual-Gala
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