Tonise Paul, CEO and President of Energy BBDO, accepts her award at MEF's 25th Annual Reach for Excellence Awards Dinner. "I learned a profoundly important lesson from Petra: "Once children know you love them, they will let you teach them." That must be why there is so much love at MEF: it's part of what is taught and it's part of how the students are taught. It shows itself in helpfulness, friendship, faith and diversity. Every day at MEF love shows up along with tutors, advisors, friends and parents, to help young lives envision and unlock their potential."
Midtown opened for Leo Gomez. "We need these programs in Chicago. When I look at myself as a father, husband, coworker, friend... all of those things are still being influenced by Midtown."
Al Castaneda, a 1975 Midtown alum, talks about life in the Chicago Pilsen neighborhood in the 1970's and how Midtown changed the trajectory of his life.
"Since 8th grade I wanted to be a dentist and nothing was going to stop me. Metro encouraged me to accomplish this." --Yaa Owusu 1999 Metro Alumna & Pediatric Dentist
Check out Chip Mulaney of Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom LLP, on his remarks from the 27th Reach for Excellence Awards, “…[He], expressed his love and passion for MEF. Mulaney, a longtime MEF board member, told two stories about students at Metro & Midtown, describing the hardship both endured and the success they both have found in joining the MEF family. In a word, Mr. Mulaney described the students as heroes.” To read more on the 27th Reach for Excellence Awards please click here.
400 guests joined the Midtown Educational Foundation Auxiliary Board on Friday, May 18 at Ravenswood's Architectural Artifacts for a spectacular evening of live music by David Rothstein Music, food and drinks, a silent auction and a $5,000 Raffle for the Kids. Over $70,000 was raised to support the after-school and summertime virtue-based academic enrichment programs for over 1,100 of Chicago's low-income youth at Midtown & Metro. Special thanks to the event's Gold Sponsor, Riveron Consulting!! Learn more at midtown-metro.org/volunteer Video Produced & Edited By: Alex Donewald Royalty Free Music "All That" Provided by Bensound Additional footage provided by: Gunnar Curry
"When I went to Midtown I found a family...I quickly learned at Midtown that they accepted me for being myself. Places like Midtown give people hope that they can achieve their own vision for the future and not settle for the vision that others see for you."
On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, Alywin Lewis, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Potbelly Sandwich Shop received the Midtown Educational Foundation Reach for Excellence Award at MEF's 50th Anniversary Gala.
"When I walked through Metro's doors for the first time, I felt accepted and and loved by so many caring young women. At Metro I felt important and valued. Growing up in Pilsen, it was a challenge to find a program that would help me in my schoolwork. Metro provided extra support in academics, and to my surprise, virtues."
Our Vision
Chicago’s urban youth will be inspired and guided to positively transform their lives, families, and communities.