Midtown Educational Foundation (MEF) helps youngsters to become better students and better people through its sponsorship of the Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Center for boys in Chicago and Waukegan, Illinois. Metro and Midtown’s after-school and summertime programs integrate academics with virtues.  Since its founding in 1965, thousands of inner-city boys and girls ages 8 to 18 have participated in MEF programs. Alumni enter college at nearly five times the rate of their peers.

The programs are inspired by the social teachings of the Catholic Church and the Prelature of Opus Dei (Work of God). At the heart of MEF’s philosophy is the belief that everyone is A Very Important Person, worthy of respect and recognition and deserving of every opportunity to succeed.

MEF's approach can be remembered with the help of an acronym that also describes every child it serves: "A V.I.P."

The "A" stands for ACADEMICS. MEF enables children to compete in college-prep high schools and then enter good colleges.

The "V" stands for basic VIRTUES. Civic virtue and moral character are taught along with academics.

The "I" stands for INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION. We believe the best motivation is personal friendship and attribute a large part of the success of our programs to the individual mentoring each student receives.

The "P" stands for PARENTS. MEF operates on the principle that parents are the primary educators of their children.

At the very heart of MEF's philosophy is the belief that everyone is A Very Important Person, worthy of respect and recognition and deserving of every opportunity to succeed.

Welcome to the Midtown Educational Foundation. It's a special place, made special by all the VIP's who come through its doors.