Walgreens Interns Pay it Forward with Day of Service at MEF's Chicago Summer Camp for Underserved Youth
Interns Learn that Part of Running a Successful Business is Taking Care of Your Community
36 Walgreens Summer Interns, plus staff. Pictured here alongside former Walgreens President & CEO, Dan Jorndt, in front of Midtown Center for boys summer camp location at the end of their day of service at MEF’s Midtown & Metro Centers.
Chicago, Il— On Tuesday, July 12, Midtown Educational Foundation welcomed 36 Walgreens Summer Interns to serve as guest staff for its Metro and Midtown Center Summer Achievement Camps. This day of service was inspired by Walgreens over 25-year commitment to supporting MEF’s mission to guide Chicago’s urban youth along pathways of success. Interns were paired with rising 4th-6th grade students from low-income communities in Chicago, helping with classes and games, providing lunch, and sharing their personal college story, all while providing the individual attention that is a hallmark of MEF programs. The day of service was capped off by a lecture from L. Daniel Jorndt, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Walgreens, who shared lessons from his career, as well as his own thoughts on the importance of service to the local community.
“Our partnership with Midtown Educational Foundation was rooted by great leaders of our organization over 25 years ago,” says Valerie Simmons, University Relations & Intern Program Manager at Walgreens. “It was invigorating to bring our summer intern group to volunteer, connect with the children and provide support for the volunteers and employees at MEF. The connections they made and the impact of the day will last a lifetime. MEF is an amazing organization focused on bettering the lives of so many children and their track record for college enrollment is outstanding. We left with filled hearts and a desire to continue the tradition of mentoring, tutoring and helping to build positive character in those that may not otherwise have the opportunity. Thank you MEF!”
Walgreens Intern, Cesar L., getting to know two Midtown students during their outdoor sports session. Mentorship through sports has been one of the founding principles of the Midtown Center programs since 1965.
Walgreens interns sharing lunch and conversation with the Metro Walgreens One-on-One students. Walgreens provided lunch for all the students and staff this day.
Some Highlights of the Day:
One of the career panels in the Metro Business Apprenticeship classroom, where the interns shared their path to their college major. They also reinforced the importance of continuing to seek mentors in college, who can help guide and direct them based on their individual talents and interests.
Interns served on career panels, discussing how they chose their college, major, and career concentration.
Interns helped girls at Metro with jewelry making and creative writing feedback.
Interns played soccer, basketball, and participated in a fitness class alongside the students.
Students and interns were paired together at lunch tables to talk and share a meal provided by Walgreens.
Dan Jorndt spoke to all the interns, along with MEF’s summer staff, and shared a number of amazing real-life stories and critical life-lessons from his long career at Walgreens.
MEF and Walgreens look forward to strengthening this partnership even more throughout MEF’s school year program, where many Walgreens employees serve as volunteer academic tutors. To learn more about how you can give back to your Chicago community as a Midtown-Metro mentor, individual donor, or corporate sponsor, please visit MEF’s volunteer page or contact MEF’s advancement team.
Watch A Short Recap of the Experience From the Walgreens Interns that Visited Metro Achievement Center for Girls
“It was such a great day to learn about the community involvement that [Walgreens Boots Alliance] has in the Chicago area, having graduated from the CPS system I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that many kids are faced with. Overall, just appreciative to work for a company that aligns with my own values and beliefs in giving back!”
“I think MEF was a great opportunity to see how partnerships work, to see the kids with Walgreens brands and see the way Walgreens helps enable MEF to make such a driving impact in the Chicago community.”
“It positively impacted my experience by showing me how committed Walgreens is to helping local communities. It was so inspiring to see the statistics about the graduation and college rates for the Metro girls and to hear the awesome career goals they had during our career panel.”
“Made it 100x more worth the experience. I felt like it was meaningful and really connected to some of the girls by the end. I didn’t want to leave. ”
About Midtown Educational Foundation:
Midtown Educational Foundation (www.midtown-metro.org), through its Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Center for boys, has helped close the achievement gap for underserved students in Chicago since its founding in 1965. Its programming, focusing on academic excellence, virtue development, individual attention, and parental engagement, has led to 100% high school graduation and college enrollment for its students for over 20 consecutive years.