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Midtown Educational Foundation - Metro for girls - Midtown for boys Midtown Educational Foundation - Metro for girls - Midtown f...
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Mission Statement
Midtown Educational Foundation (MEF) is a nonprofit organization with an award-winning approach aimed to develop the whole person. 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, Illinois. Midtown & Metro blend academic tutoring and test prep, character building, sports and arts, parental support, and constant personal attention for 4-12th grade students. Over 400 volunteers donate time each week as tutors and mentors.
The MEF model is nationally recognized and has been replicated by seven other organizations around the country. In 2010, MEF celebrated 100% high school graduation rate and college enrollment 15 years in a row.
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.
Description
Be a role model and volunteer at Midtown or Metro!
- Just 2 -2.5 hours once a week.
- Build a unique relationship and be paired with the same student for one-on-one tutoring.
- Our volunteers are working professionals and college men or women.
- No experience necessary. Tutor orientation/training available.
- To complete a volunteer interest form, visit www.midtown-metro.org/volunteer/. Scroll & click on 'HOW TO VOLUNTEER' and select 'Application for Men Volunteers' or 'Application for Women Volunteers.'
LOCATION
For female volunteers (18+):
Metro Achievement Center for girls is conveniently located at:
310 S. Peoria St. (b/t Jackson & Van Buren)
Chicago, IL 60607 (Greektown/West Loop)
(1/2 block from UIC/Halsted stop on the CTA Blue Line)
For male volunteers (18+):
Midtown Center for boys is conveniently located at:
1819 N. Wood St. (near Armitage)
Chicago, IL 60622 (Bucktown/Wicker Park)
(near Damen stop on CTA Blue Line)
Join us for academic enrichment, fun and the chance to make new friends! www.midtown-metro.org
Reviews
3 reviews
Would you recommend Midtown Educational Foundation - Metro for girls - Midtown for boys?
by Sam B.
(2010-11-17 11:25:43.0)
What's great about volunteering with MEF, is that it's an easy time commitment, it's structured well (which makes it easy when you're there), and most of all - working with the kids is great. You have interaction with the family, other tutor/mentors, and everyone is very friendly. Since I've started, three friends and 2 co-workers now volunteer with MEF too, and they all have other friends starting - which says a lot about the program. Just don't get cocky if you play dodgeball with the kids. Sure, you can throw harder - but you're also a bigger target!
by Brenton P.
(2010-10-03 19:55:10.0)
This is my fifth year volunteering as a tutor-mentor at the Midtown Center for Boys and I cannot recommend it enough. The boys program is a once-a-week commitment and is very simple -- sports, tutoring, setting goals and a character talk. (a tutors stands up and talks about a virtue, such as honesty, perseverance, citizenship, etc.) You follow-up once a week with a phone call to hear first-hand from your student, and his parents, how he is doing at school and on his goals. It's amazing how this simple interaction, consistently applied, does so much. I personally have seen the strides that two students have made over the years. And what do I get? Every tutor-student relationship is different, but I have had the opportunity to watch two boys grow into responsible young men before my eyes. All the tutors I know have had similar positive experiences. Tutors leave when they get married or have a kid of their own, not because they aren't enjoying it. Can't recommend MEF high enough!!!
by Ian B.
(2010-03-23 12:18:45.0)
I have been a tutor at Midtown for the last three years. I volunteer for a couple of hours on Monday evenings during the school year. It has been a very rewarding experience. It has been great to mentor and befriend my student, his goal is to be the first in his family to attend college. It is also a great environment for networking with those with common interests especially if you are new to the area.