Join us at this year’s Fall Fête on Thursday, October 16, 2025, as we honor 160 years of history, celebrate the vibrant spirit of today, and look forward to a bright future. This event isn’t just about enjoying a delicious dinner, exciting raffles, and live entertainment — it’s a chance to hear inspiring stories and witness the resilience and achievements of our youth.
By attending, you’ll be part of Lawrence Hall’s mission to change lives and build a stronger, more hopeful community for all. Together, we celebrate the past, embrace the present, and create a legacy for tomorrow.
Click here to become a sponsor, donate, and learn more about Fall Fête.
Honoring Jayne Coyne: A Champion for Children
Jayne’s caring nature and skills have consistently guided her efforts to support young people, from a young nurse, to parent, to her activism at the Board level. Her formal advocacy for youth in need began in 1987 when she joined the Beverly Auxiliary Board of Mary Bartelme Homes and Services. This organization provided supportive residences for traumatized teenage girls under state care, offering a stable environment for their education. Jayne actively participated in the Auxiliary's fundraising efforts.
In 1988, Mary Bartelme Homes and Services merged with Lawrence Hall School for Boys to become Lawrence Hall Youth Services and Jayne became ex-officio to the Lawrence Hall Board.
Becoming a Lawrence Hall Board Trustee in 1997, Jayne immersed herself in Lawrence Hall's operations, contributing to multiple Board Committees, number one being the Special Events Committee. Instrumental in evolving the agency's fundraising strategies, Jayne championed the creation of the “Views from The Hall" Speakers Series luncheon in 2002, featuring prominent figures including Coretta Scott King, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Jayne enlisted Chicago’s former first lady, Maggie Daley, to further elevate these events, fostering a deep understanding and support for Lawrence Hall's mission of providing hope, healing, and resilience.
Jayne helped champion Lawrence Hall’s involvement with city-wide projects like the "Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for A Cooler Planet" exhibit in 2007, and through her influence had Lawrence Hall's globe displayed at Hyatt Corporation world headquarters before touring other cities.
Remarkably, the very first Champion for Children Award, established in 1996 while Jayne was still with the Mary Bartelme Auxiliary Board, was conceived to honor women significantly impacting the lives of Chicago's children. How apropos 40 years later we recognize Jayne for her passionate advocacy for Lawrence Hall's vision and tirelessly spreading its message with the Champion for Children award.
