Join WTTW, in partnership with the Mitchell Museum and Visionary Ventures NFP, for a community conversation in connection with the Firsthand: Homeless initiative.

Shelly Tucciarelli, Executive Director at Visionary Ventures, will moderate a discussion with two panelists:

• Pamala M. Silas, CAE, a recognized Native American leader with more than 30 years of experience who has successfully led various regional and national Native American and non-profit organizations. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Outreach and Engagement at Northwestern University’s Center for Native American and Indigenous Research.
• Jaime Torres Carmona, the Founder and Principal of CANOPY, an award-winning architecture and urban design practice based in Chicago. Jaime is also a Baker and Ryerson Fellow, contributing his expertise in urban design to the discussion.

Shelly and the panelists will address the challenges and barriers of affordable housing and the underrepresented Native American homeless population and delve into the groundbreaking establishment of the first affordable housing development for Native Americans in Chicago's history.

Firsthand: Homeless is the newest addition to the award-winning Firsthand multiplatform, multi-year initiative focusing on the firsthand perspectives of people facing critical issues in Chicago. Visit the website to explore the project.

WTTW has partnered with All Chicago, Chicago Public Library, The Night Ministry, and Ignite throughout 2024 on journalism and community engagement initiatives related to Firsthand: Homeless.

Lead support for Firsthand: Homeless is provided by Ann and Rich Carr.

Major support is provided by The Knight Family Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Edwardson Family Foundation; Joel M. Friedman, President, Alvin H. Baum Family Fund; Denny and Sandy Cummings; the Marc and Jeanne Malnati Family Foundation; Alexandra C. Nichols; and Peter and Alicia Pond (as of January 16, 2024).