MGFD
WHO WE ARE
The Michael Gray Foundation of Dreams (MGFD) is a nonprofit organization providing mentoring programs for all youth on the Westside of Chicago,ILL. The foundation forms strategic partnerships with local school districts, churches, civic organizations and the juvenile court system. MGFD’s goal is to foster a commitment to young people that will promote pro-social friendships, strong interpersonal skills, and reassert a sense of hope in the future. Only through personal relationships can a sense of individual responsibility be reestablished that will give youth the commitment to follow through on path to adulthood with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
HOW IT WORKS
The program will form partnerships with local school districts and the juvenile court system. Youth are matched with a caring adult volunteer who is trained to focus on positive reinforcement, trust-building, the achievement of goals, + by engaging youth in one-on-one outing + group adventures in the community. Mentors and youth agree to meet for 10-15 hours per month for a full year. Ongoing training will continue with mentors on individual case management throughout the year. In addition, MGFD will have monthly mentor support meetings. Over time, MGFD will create a learning environment that will be an invaluable resource to young people, aspiring mentors and the community at large.
WHY WE DO IT
Through repeated challenges at home, in the classroom and the development of destructive habits, at-risk young people have lost faith in the possibilities that await them if they are successful in putting their lives together. To accomplish this goal, young people must be in a caring, inclusive learning environment that promotes their best effort and reinforces personal respect. MGFD is a program that is in direct response to the growing number of young people that are either falling through the cracks at school or are already entangled with the juvenile court system. The goal of the program is to identify youths who are going to have a turbulent transition to adulthood and offer positive support system to avoid the pitfalls that can derail their lives. The focus is slightly different at each level but the goal remains the same; empower the young person to make positive changes in his/her life.