Dare to Dream Award Recipients
Each year, Youth Outlook honors individuals and organizations whose dedication and partnership help make our work possible.
Hal Temple Business Partner of the Year Award
This award recognizes a for-profit or nonprofit business that has made significant contributions to advancing Youth Outlook’s mission by creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for the youth we serve, through their work with us or on behalf of LGBT youth.
2008 Hunters Video and Dance Club
2009 Marty Regan, Free Lance Graphic Artist
2010 EQUAL! at Alcatel-Lucent
2011 First Congregational Church, Naperville
2012 District 428
2013 DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church
2014 360 Youth Services
2015 BMO Pride
2016 Open Door Health Clinic
2017 Lurie Gender Clinic
2018 Network Facilitators for Kane, DuPage and North Suburbs
2022 Organized Chaos
2023 Downers Grove Public Library & Lyons Township High School
2024 Kristen Panice, Cake or Death Marketing Communications
2025 Skeleton Key Brewery (renamed Hal Temple Business Partner of the Year Award)
Excellence in Service
This award recognizes an exceptional staff member or volunteer for their commitment to Youth Outlook’s mission and their consistent efforts to go above and beyond the call of duty, making a significant and lasting impact on the organization and the youth we serve.
2008 Nancy Mullen
2009 Carolyn Engle
2010 Vicky Graff
2011 Lorrie Brenneman
2012 Andrea Drott
2013 Carolyn Wahlskog
2014 Ann Loveland
2015 Karol Teal
2016 Peter Thaddeus
2017 Marcus Hamilton
2020 Kim Frank
2021 Staff Awarded for efforts during Covid Pandemic
2022 Andi Voinovich
2023 Lauren Lett
2024 Matt Appleman
2025 Bri Cada
Jill Poehlman Individual Community Partner
An honor for a community member whose work with us or on behalf of LGBT youth has advanced Youth Outlook’s mission.
2008 Karen Jarczyk
2009 Kathy Kempke
2010 David Fischer
2011 Sandy Stelmach
2012 Brooke Condon
2013 Christie Aird
2014 Kim Cecil
2015 Fran Zucco (renamed the Jill Poehlman Individual Community Partner Award)
2016 Owen Daniel-McCarter
2017 Debbie Robertson
2023 Savannah Smith
2024 Mary Jo Mullen
Lorrie Lane Brenneman Achievement Award
This award is presented annually to a volunteer, staff member, or board member whose outstanding contributions profoundly impact Youth Outlook’s overall functioning, fundraising endeavors, and the delivery of vital services.
2013 Mark Pence
2014 Curtis Haase and Joe Montemayor
2015 Madeleine Baird
2016 Nancy Mullen (renamed the Lorrie Lane Brenneman Achievement Award)
2017 Dr. Rob Garafalo
2018 Shane Maxwell
2022 George Miller
2023 Nancy Carlson
2024 Maryann Krieglstein, Ph.D.
2025 Nancy Mullen
Michael Fairbanks Youth Advocacy Award
This award honors remarkable Youth Leaders who lead Drop-In sessions, support volunteer training, fundraise, and engage in community projects. They empower others by sharing their perspectives with GSAs, educators, healthcare workers, and beyond.
2009 Michael Fairbanks
2010 Isabel Garcia
2011 Katie Kullen
2012 Bradi Pyrtle
2013 Joel Kline
2014 Michelle Spencer (renamed Michael Fairbanks Youth Advocacy Award)
2015 Lily Riel-Smith
2016 Danny Julius
2017 August Hupp
2018 Casey Baxter
2020 Jax Wokas
2021 West Oiler-Frederick
2022 Corinne F & Ty B
2023 Grace G.
2024 Cedar L.
2025 Kai W.