I just wanted to remind you that the YMEN 2011 Benefit Auction is only ONE WEEK AWAY! If you haven’t already purchased your ticket or table, or if you want to sponsor Lawndale parent or student to attend, please let me know as soon as possible! We only have a few tables left, and want to make sure that everyone who wants to come is able to do so. Tickets are $50, and this includes a wonderful night or entertainment, a delicious meal, a live and silent Auction , and a night with YMEN! You can also purchase or sponsor a table of 10 for $500. Every little bit helps, so even if you aren’t able to attend to sponsor a ticket or even just make a general donation means so much to YMEN and myself.

–Mike

PS> If you’d like a preview of our auction items, click here.

At last count, just four of 10 black women who enrolled in college after graduating from a Chicago public school finished in six years. About 70 percent of black girls in Chicago graduate from high school. Trout invited her former students — girls she and her husband have mentored, sheltered in their home for a time and embraced as family — to share their secrets. How did they survive high school and college when so many others stumble? Discipline, drive and, most importantly, a rich network of support — starting with each other.

Click here for the full article.

Past: Just this past week I attended the college graduations of our YMEN twins: Valonda and Victoria Roberts from Southern Illinois University and Denison University in Ohio. It was a powerful example of what hard work, determination, and a loving community can bring about. I am a proud papa!

Present: Trucks are currently preparing and pouring the cement for our new sports court on YMEN’s southern campus on Avers Avenue. This project will be a toll used for mentoring and community partnerships for many decades to come. Something good is definitely coming to the “hood.

Future: On Saturday, May 28 at 6PM at 1240 S Pulaski we will be celebrating over 60 students and their achievements with YMEN and EVE. It is a night of great food, inspiration and encouragement, and strong community support. Don’t believe the negative stories you hear every night on the news — the real truth is that God is raising up a new generation of leadership that care about education, their faith, and serving the community. Hope you can join us. Tickets are $25 and the food alone will blow your socks off!

Our Executive Director, Mike Trout, and our Development Director, Xavier Ramey, strike again. They have been featured among other significant academic support institutions in a video featured on the Steans Family Foundation website (here). As always it is wonderful to have our work recognized, especially alongside the likes of North Lawndale College Prep High School and UMOJA — great organizations helping our young people succeed.

15 years ago, YMEN began with the help and support of Goodcity, a non-profit incubator that helps those with vision begin effective and sustainable organizations. In 2011, Goodcity and its President, Mike Ivers, receives one of Chicago’s top awards honoring their work in helping organizations like YMEN. We are grateful for their support and celebrate this honor with them.