Liz, Summer Solstice Speaker 2026

Good evening, everyone,

First, I want to apologize for not being there with you in person tonight. I was very much looking forward to being back at Hopewell and sharing this story face-to-face. Unfortunately, life had other plans. Just a few months ago, I welcomed my first child into the world, and recently, I managed to break my ankle. So, while I wish I could be standing before you myself, I am incredibly grateful to have someone reading these words on my behalf.

In a way, it feels fitting. The reason I can’t be there tonight is that I am home caring for my beautiful baby boy—a blessing that once felt far beyond my reach. The life I have today, the stability I enjoy, and the family I cherish are all connected to the foundation I began building during my time at Hopewell.

It is a true honor to share how profoundly the Hopewell Therapeutic Community Farm has changed my life.

Before I say anything else, I need to acknowledge my family. I come from a large Catholic family on the North Shore of Chicago and am one of ten children. Growing up in a large family meant there was always noise, laughter, and love. Through every challenge, every setback, and every victory, my family continued to show up for me. Their support, prayers, and belief that I could recover never wavered, even when my own faith in myself did. Without them, I would never have made it to Hopewell, and without Hopewell, I would not be living the life I have today.

My journey with mental illness began when I was 18 years old. I experienced my first manic episode at an age when most people are just beginning to figure out who they are. At the time, I didn’t understand what was happening to me. What I eventually learned—sometimes the hard way—was that I could not combine medication with substances and expect stability. Every time I tried to manage life on my own terms, I found myself moving further away from the person I wanted to be.

Eventually, I found my way to Hopewell. When I arrived at the farm, I was exhausted—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I didn’t know exactly what my future would look like, but what I found at Hopewell was something I desperately needed: hope. Hopewell gave me structure when my life felt chaotic. It taught me responsibility when I wanted to avoid it. It taught me humility when I thought I had all the answers. Most importantly, it taught me that recovery isn’t something you achieve once and then forget about. Recovery is a way of living. It is showing up every day, taking care of yourself, asking for help when you need it, and trusting that healing is possible.

At Hopewell, I learned lessons that still guide me today. I learned that stability is built one day at a time. I learned the importance of community. I learned that vulnerability is not weakness. I learned that my diagnosis did not define me. After Hopewell, I attended a program in Oregon called College Excel. For the first time, I was able to focus on my education while continuing to build a strong foundation in recovery. There, I finished my college degree, something that once felt impossible. That accomplishment gave me confidence that my life could move forward.

Shortly after, I returned home to Chicago following the passing of my father. Losing my dad was one of the most painful experiences of my life.

My father was a hardworking businessman, a devoted father, and someone who believed in me even during seasons when I struggled to believe in myself. He taught me the value of perseverance. He taught me to keep getting back up. Even now, years later, I still find myself wanting to call him, to share good news, to hear his advice, or simply to hear his voice. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him.

When I came home, I got a job as an Activities Director at a skilled nursing facility. I loved connecting with residents and helping bring joy into their lives. Eventually, the admissions team noticed my work and asked me to join their department. That opportunity opened doors I never imagined.

A few years later, I accepted a position at JPMorgan Chase as an Events Management Associate. I planned conferences, executive meetings, and events for some of the firm’s highest-level leaders. I had the privilege of helping coordinate events attended by executives, including Jamie Dimon and other senior leaders. Every day felt exciting and challenging. I love my job. For a girl who once wondered if she would ever be able to function independently, it felt incredible to build a successful career and contribute at that level.

 But as grateful as I am for my professional accomplishments, the greatest blessings of my life happened outside of work. While at JPMorgan, I met my husband, Tommy. From the beginning, Tommy loved me in a way I had never experienced before. He saw all of me—the strengths, the struggles, the history, the diagnosis—and never treated me as broken. He treated me as someone worthy of love. I remember thinking, how could someone possibly love me this much? His kindness, patience, and generosity changed my life. We were married in 2023, and to this day, I can honestly say he is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

 Then, one year after we were married, we received another incredible blessing. I became pregnant with our first child. This year, we welcomed our son, Lawrence Glen Wille—Larry for short. We named him after my father. Becoming a mother has been the greatest dream of my life.

There were times when I wondered if motherhood would ever be possible for me. There were moments in my younger years when my future felt uncertain. Yet today, I have the privilege of rocking my son to sleep, hearing his little noises, watching him grow, and experiencing a kind of love I never knew existed.

 And the truth is, I do not believe I would be here without Hopewell. The stability I gained at Hopewell made all this possible. Hopewell helped me build the life I have today. It helped me become a daughter who could honor her father’s memory. It helped me become a wife capable of receiving and giving love. It helped me become a professional who could succeed in a demanding career. Most importantly, it helped me become a mother.

When people invest in Hopewell, they are investing in stories like mine. They are investing in second chances. They are investing in families being reunited, careers being rebuilt, dreams being restored, and lives being transformed.

 I am living proof that recovery is possible. To the staff, clinicians, donors, volunteers, and everyone who supports this remarkable place: thank you. Thank you for believing in people during moments when they may not yet believe in themselves. Thank you for creating a community where healing can happen. Thank you for helping me discover that my life was not over, it was only beginning.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Hopewell, for giving me the foundation upon which I built this beautiful life.

Thank you!

 

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