On Saturday, Nov. 8th, San Jose Obrero Mission (SJOM) held their 12th annual gala, Transforming Lives, hosted by Ana Belaval and honored individuals who have made significant contributions to the community and who exemplify what it means to truly ‘transform lives.’

The two honorees were local entertainer and philanthropist Mike Oquendo and dedicated long-time SJOM volunteer Lynn Farrell. “We are so excited to be gathering with our friends and supporters to celebrate all the good work that San Jose Obrero is doing for our community,” said San Jose Obrero Mission Board Chair Elizabeth Jusino. “It is crucial to have a place where men, women, and children in crisis can go and receive a roof over their head and the services they need to break free from homelessness, and San Jose fills that for the Pilsen and Little Village communities.”

SJOM provides a critical service as the only bilingual crisis shelter serving the Pilsen and Little Village communities in Chicago. The 2010 Census reports that 28.9 percent (an increase of 3.3 percent) of the population in Chicago is Latino and that Chicago has the largest Latino population in Illinois.