FOUNDER’S SPIRIT ENDURES 

Mothers Trust Foundation Executive Director Lisa Cervieri shares Barbara Monsor’s dedication to children and looks ahead to November’s Seasonal Soirée and Annual Coat Drive.

A grade-school boy arrives at school one day wearing his mother’s bedroom slippers. Mothers Trust Founder Barbara Monsor hears about the lack of appropriate footwear and later learns the boy’s other choice that morning was going barefoot. The visual of that student, shod in slippers, entering a classroom triggers Monsor to form the Lake Forest-based Mothers Trust Foundation (MTF). The year is 1998.

“Barbara, I’m sure, thought, ‘We can do something,’” says current MTF Executive Director Lisa Cervieri, a Lake Forest High School graduate who has a background in financial services. “That boy received new shoes either that day or the next.”

MTF’s mission is to provide immediate assistance during times of crisis to low-income children living in Lake County. Its goal is to provide hope, build confidence, and make a positive difference in a young person’s life.

“What’s truly impressive about the foundation is that we’ve never had to tweak the mission, and that is due to Barbara’s expertise and the model she set up for the organization all those years ago,” says Cervieri. “Our process relies on our social service partners to vet the family in need of assistance and submit a request on their behalf. The requests are reviewed weekly at our service meeting with approved requests being granted within 24 to 48 hours.”

MTF has aided more than 61,000 Lake County children and their families, representing $7 million in funds since its inception.

Mothers Trust Foundation’s second Annual Seasonal Soirée—co-chaired by Christine Goshgarian and Juli Hallas—will be held November 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Knollwood Club in Lake Forest.

“The artistry and atmosphere in the room will be unforgettable!” exclaims Goshgarian. “We are looking forward to seeing our guests’ elevated evening attire, and our live auction items are sure to be a huge hit … think white buildings with blue awnings—yes, Greece—rolling Italian hillsides, dinners out with your best friends, and much more.”

Cervieri hopes that soirée attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of the significant needs faced by low-income children in Lake County, ages 0 to 21, and feel inspired to support MTF’s primary fundraiser.

Immediately following the soirée, we return to serving the community with our annual Coat Drive, taking place on November 15 at the Foss Park Community Center. This event is organized and led by our Lake Forest High School Teen Board, under the leadership of Board Executives Campbell Gore and Sophia Shader.

“The Mothers Trust Foundation, at its core, is about brightening the lives and days of children in Lake County who are living in crisis,” Cervieri says. “A little boost goes such a long way for a child. Every day as executive director is exciting and busy for me, as well as an opportunity to continue Barbara’s wonderful legacy. It’s truly the best job I’ve ever had.”

Seasonal Soirée tickets and sponsorships are available at motherstrustfoundation.org/2025-seasonalsoiree.