Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers and Staff Nominated for Prestigious YNPN Awards
Midtown-Metro Executive Director Vince Meno (left) and Midtown Program Director Micheil Pruni (right), are nominees for Supervisor of the Year and Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year.
Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers, and two of its esteemed staff members, have been nominated for the prestigious Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) of Chicago’s Annual Celebration Awards.
CHICAGO, IL (May 29, 2024) –
Nominations:
Nonprofit of the Year: Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers
Supervisor of the Year: Vince Meno, Executive Director
Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year: Micheil Pruni, Middle School Program (MAP) Director
Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers
Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers has been nominated for Nonprofit of the Year. As an open-access after-school support organization, Midtown-Metro has achieved a 100% school completion rate for its after-school student participants. The organization has expanded its reach to support over 700 students, including 295 during the school year and 406 during the summer. The programs provide academic support, athletic skills training, mentorship, individual guidance, college and career preparation, and opportunities for students to explore their potential and interests in a safe and caring environment. With around 94% of students identifying as Black or Latine, and many from low-income, benefits-eligible families, Midtown-Metro is making a significant impact on the development of the next generation of Chicago students.
Micheil Pruni: Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year Nominee
Micheil Pruni, the Middle School Program Director, has been nominated for Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year. Throughout this year, Micheil has gone above and beyond to serve and support the students at the Midtown Achievement Center for Boys. He has coordinated classes that introduce middle school students to investment topics (budgeting, banking, investing, stocks/bonds/mutual funds, cryptocurrencies), writing (creative writing, autobiographical reflection, nonfiction writing, experience reviews, subject matter summaries, poetry), and STEM (workshops on radio mechanics, basics of circuits and computer chips, and fixing old laptops). Micheil has also invited engaging speakers to inspire students about future careers in sports and other fields and has coordinated service projects with them.
Micheil's personal commitment to learning and engaging with students and families in Spanish as his second language, ensuring language differences do not hinder his ability to provide care and support, is particularly noteworthy. Beyond his role as Program Director, Micheil has taken a leadership role in the Auxiliary Council, coordinating events in support of mentors, volunteers, alumni, community partners, and support representatives. His leadership, enthusiasm, and sincere desire to be a transformative force for good in the lives of Chicago's youth make him a deserving nominee for this award.
“I am deeply honored to be nominated for Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year. This recognition is a testament to the incredible work and dedication of our team at Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and support our students and their families, and I look forward to continuing our mission of empowering the next generation of Chicago’s youth.”
Vince Meno: Supervisor of the Year Nominee
Vince Meno, the Executive Director, has been nominated for Supervisor of the Year. Under Vince's leadership, Midtown-Metro has expanded its reach and support for students, diversifying its student populations and staff engagement. Vince spearheaded a rebrand of the organization, transforming and reorganizing significant aspects, and standardizing equitable policies and procedures across the board. He encourages staff to engage in professional development opportunities, ensuring the programs are up-to-date and research-backed.
Vince's personal and engaging approach to leadership is commendable. He regularly checks in with staff individually to ensure their needs are met, exemplifying servant leadership with his philosophy that "good leaders have an open door policy, but great leaders roam the halls." Vince's leadership has had a profound impact on the organization, making him an enviable example of dedication and excellence.
“I am humbled and honored to be nominated for Supervisor of the Year. This nomination reflects the collective efforts and commitment of the entire Midtown-Metro team. Our shared vision of creating a supportive and enriching environment for our students drives us every day. I am privileged to lead such a passionate group of individuals dedicated to making a lasting impact in our community.”
How to Support
[Update 6/12/2024] The YNPN Chicago Celebration Awards Winners were determined by public vote, which concluded on 6/5/2024. Winners were announced 6/12/2024.
To learn more about Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago, click here.
For any media inquiries or, for a tour of Midtown-Metro’s Midtown Achievement Center for boys and Metro Achievement Center for girls, please contact Events/ Communications Manager Marianne Cavanagh Yost at mcavanaghyost@midtown-metro.org.
About Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers (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.