In December 2007, CCH brought 60 homeless men and women to Des Moines, Iowa to participate in the Heartland Presidential Forum. Co-sponsored by the Center for Community Change in Washington, D.C., the event drew more than 5,000 grassroots leaders from community organizing groups across the U.S.

Candidates from both parties were invited. U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John Edwards, Sen. Barack Obama, Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Sen. Chris Dodd attended.

CCH board member Cary Martin (pictured left) was one of the Forum’s featured speakers. Though she experienced homelessness as a child, Cary is an attorney now working at one of the most prestigious law firms in Chicago. In her speech, Cary described how teachers and others helped her overcome homelessness and led her to succeed.

Cary's speech can be viewed HERE on YouTube. You can also read her speech on CCH's blog.

At the forum, Cary’s story was part of a larger focus on issues that affect everyday Americans. Speakers asked the candidates how they will address problems such as the rising cost of healthcare and the lack of living wage jobs. More broadly, the candidates discussed how they plan to make a more caring and united country.

CCH brought homeless people from six Chicago shelters and programs: Deborah’s Place, Interfaith Council for the Homeless, Chicago Christian Industrial League, Ashunti House, Mercy Housing Lakefront, and Chicago Lights at Fourth Presbyterian Church.

CCH also mobilized 10 college students from Loyola University at Chicago, Northeastern University, and Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights.

“The purpose of the Forum was to get the candidates to change the political conversation in this country from ‘Everyone is in it for themselves,'" said CCH executive director Ed Shurna.