November 2024
What a busy month it has been at Will's Place! From launching our winter menu to celebrating milestones with our incredible team we’ve had so much to be grateful for. We are excited to share some highlights from this month. As always, thank you for your continued support!
Why It Matters
This month we asked Cecilia Sanchez, mother to one of our team members, what Will’s Place means to her.
If you ask me, as a mother, what Will's Place means to me, I would say that it is an incredible blessing that came into my son's life, supporting his emotional, mental and physical development.
In every way, he has grown tremendously because of Will's Place. What makes it truly special, though, is that Will's Place is more than just a program-it's a family. Everyone at Will's Place goes beyond simply caring for each individual; they embrace the families as well, fostering a deeply supportive community.
Gustavo is always excited about anything related to Will's Place. It's a place where he has the freedom to make mistakes, learn, and discover his best self!
Cecilia Sanchez - Gustavo's Mom
Happenings at Will's
A visit from Senator Tammy Duckworth
Will's Place spent a morning with our Senator Tammy Duckworth, her daughter, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Cook County Board Commissioner Josina Morita. They stayed to learn about Will's Place and meet our neighbors here in Skokie. What an impressive group of women for our team and friends to get to know!
Our First Ramen Night in the Books
This month we hosted our very first Ramen Night pop up after hours. Guests enjoyed bowls of ramen and bao bun sandwiches prepared by our team. These pop up events give our staff the chance to try out new cooking techniques and recipes , growing their skills and confidence in the kitchen!
Our 2nd annual Friendsgiving
his November, we hosted our second annual Friendsgiving, bringing together staff, family, and friends for a meal that celebrated the community we’ve built together. The restaurant was packed wall-to-wall with the warmth and laughter of the Will's Place family. Looking around, it was impossible not to feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for this special place and the people who make it shine.
Thanksgiving Pie Sale
We closed out the month with a whole lotta pies for our Thanksgiving Pie Sale!
We sold, baked and boxed up over 125 pies last week, making it our best sale yet. We want to thank our team for taking pride in and working so hard to get these pies out the door. We want to thank everyone who placed an order, every time you place an order at Will’s Place you send a message to our team that their work is valued in our community.
WGN's Spotlight Chicago
The biggest thank you to @spotlightwgn for having Joan, Will, and Michael on the show to talk about the work we are doing and the food we are serving up here at Will’s Place! Miss it live?
This Month's Guest Baristas
This November was all about big families and old friends, and our Baristas perfectly captured that spirit! We kicked off the month with Ruth McCarthy McMahan, who paused her busy role as COO at Greenlight Family Services to serve coffee and reconnect with old friends. Next, world-class dancers Cathy Yoshimura and Gerard Charles flew in all the way from London to join us. Finally, Ceil Newton Scanlan and Mary Ellen Newton channeled their inner “Lucy and Ethel” to serve coffee to nearly everyone they know—and trust us, they know a lot of people!
For those who know Hallagan’s and Will’s Place, keeping old friends and making new ones is what it’s all about!
Community Nights
As the year winds down, things are still bustling at Will's Place! Friday nights remain a highlight, where friends gather for fun each week—huge thanks to Village Inn Pizza for always keeping us well-fed. This month, we welcomed Mary Michelle, an incredible storyteller, and Olivia Hallagan, who returned to help glaze vases for our upcoming Christmas shop. We also enjoyed some lively board games and wrapped up the month with our unforgettable Friendsgiving celebration!
Upcoming Events
Celebrate the holidays with us at Will's Place in Skokie for this wonderful event with our guest chef Katie Walsh. Veteran Chicagoland Chef Katie will guide you in creating your very own gingerbread masterpiece that you can take home and put on display! Enjoy a lovely evening with your friends, family or spouse.
We will provide light bites and festive drinks to get us into the holiday spirit (and you are welcome to bring your own beverages, too!). Each guest will be provided their very own gingerbread house along with all the candy and icing they need to make the home of their dreams. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
All supplies are provided for this workshop. This event is byob.
Join us at Will’s Place for our Holiday Makers Market. Shop our curated selection of local makers, specialty foods, gifts, and much more! There is something for everyone on your list at the Will’s Place holiday market.