TEAM M3 - 135 Team M3 Students & 85 Mentors Finish the Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon

CHICAGO, IL, August 5, 2009 – On Sunday, August 2nd, 135 students and 85 adult mentors from MGR Foundation’s Health and Well-being program, Team M3, successfully completed the Rock’n’Roll Chicago Half Marathon. These students and their adult mentors achieved an exceptional life goal by crossing the finish line after 13.1 miles in the inaugural Rock’n’Roll Chicago Half Marathon. This major accomplishment marks a milestone as these students and mentors prepare for their ultimate goal of 26.2 miles in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The Marilyn G. Rabb Foundation’s Team M3 trains students with dedicated adult mentors to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

In its fourth year, the MGR Foundation’s Team M3 has nearly tripled in size from the 2008 season to a team of 222 students and adult mentors, including nine Chicago Public High Schools: Carver Military Academy, Foreman High School, Juarez High School, TEAM Englewood, Al Raby, VOISE Academy, Rowe High School, Steinmetz High School, and Bowen High School. Our goal is to reach as many underserved students from CPS High Schools as possible until all youth that are interested in the program are able to participate.

“The key to the program is the mentorship. We are extremely fortunate to have so many caring adults invested in the success of our youth,” said Vesna K. Stelcer, Executive Director, the MGR Foundation. Team M3’s mentors feature a variety of dedicated Chicagoans including police officers, school administrators, professionals, college students, architects, coaches, teachers, marathon veterans and novices.

In order to remove barriers for students and mentors, the MGR Foundation ensures that the costs associated with training and marathon entry fees, logistics, and program management are covered. Team M3 challenges students to experience the benefits of discipline, character development, and improved health by providing them with adult mentoring, physical and mental skills, and the resources they need to realize their full potential.

Silence the Violence Peace Rally - July 21st 2009 - Pittsburgh's Market Square

Save the date for our 3rd annual Peace Rally! Students from all over Pittsburgh will be coming together to speak out about violence in the community. Hear what they have to say on July 21st in Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh! The Pre-Rally Extravaganza is from 12:30-1:30, the performances are from 1:30-3:00. Everyone is welcome!

Want to participate? Youth ages 10-20 are invited to showcase art or performances (such as spoken word, dance, poetry, rap, anything!) centered around the theme of "Silence the Violence." Check out our info sheet and fill out a registration form to get started!

MGRF - 20/30 Club of Chicago Supports the MGR Foundation

The 20/30 Club of Chicago has been an amazing supporter of the MGR Foundation's work and mission as we both aim to support underserved children in Chicago.

Several fundraising events will feature the MGR Foundation as the beneficiary. We hope all our friends, supporters and volunteers will join us for these upcoming events.

Wine & Art Party – Friday, February 27
A night of contemporary art with an assortment

of wines, beer and hors d'oeuvres.

Mars Gallery
1139 West Fulton Market, Chicago
7:00p - 11:00p
Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the door

Casino Swing XVII – Saturday, April 18

Black-tie optional event combining casino-style

charity gaming, live music, and dancing

Chicago History Museum

1601 N. Clark, Chicago

7:00p – 12:00p
Tickets: $125 in advance and $140 at the door.

More information is available at http://2030club.org

TEAM M3 - Arne Duncan mentions Team M3 during Senate Confirmation Hearing

As the CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Arne Duncan has been an esteemed supporter of Team M3~Chicago Student MentorRun acknowledging the incredible developmental and health benefits training for and completing the Chicago Marathon with an adult mentor can bring Chicago Public high school students.

In an October letter to all Chicago Public high school principals encouraging their participation in the 2009 season, Duncan named Team M3~Chicago Student MentorRun the official marathon training program for Chicago Public high school students.

We are very thankful that even on his way to Capitol Hill to serve as Secretary of Education he cited the achievements of our high school runners during his Senate Confirmation Hearing.

Click here to see the Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Education segment.

In a response to Senator Tom Harkin’s question regarding childhood obesity and the school’s role in physical exercise and physical education, Duncan responded:

“…The more we instill in our children early in life these habits that will last them a lifetime, the better they're going to do. And so we'll try to do what we can to expand those opportunities before school, during the school day, after school.

We've had great non-profit partners who have helped us do that in Chicago in running programs. We had a group of our high school students actually run the Chicago Marathon. And when students are exposed to those kinds of opportunities, it's going to change them for the rest of their lives. And so we have to find ways to do this.”

He concluded his response saying, “So we need to be creative when we think about the use of time. We need to think about great non-profit partners who can come in and provide these kinds of opportunities. And I would argue frankly, at the end of the day, this is going to help a lot academically. This doesn't take away from our core mission. This is central to that core mission. And so I want to find ways to be creative and think it through and see if we can expand significantly over time the number of young people with these kinds of opportunities that will shape them until the day they die.”

We encourage you to join us in supporting student achievement. Become an adult mentor or partner with us as we grow to a city-wide initiative. To learn more about how you can join Team M3, click here.