buildOn Breakfast celebrates Chicago Graduates

Last week we welcomed over 650 people at the Hilton Chicago who were eager to learn more about how they can help break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations especially in the city of Chicago. The attendees of the 5th annual event included business professionals from GE, Loop Capital, MB Real Estate, and even the Mayor of Chicago, Rham Emanuel, who also attended and spoke at the event last year.

At this year’s event Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke about the importance of education and how buildOn is in the fabric of Chicago playing a part in helping Chicago’s youth achieve a higher graduation rate. In fact, in Chicago Public Schools, he says students are on the way to achieving a graduation rate of 82%. It is within his plan for the city to ensure all students from every neighborhood in Chicago are 100 percent college ready.

We’re proud to say students in the Chicago buildOn after school programs have already provided over 52,000 hours of service this year alone and over 220,000 since we started programming! 95% of students who are in the buildOn program not only graduate but go on to college. [quote_source]President Alverez[/quote_source]

Students were also very much a part of the buildOn Breakfast, answering questions regarding service and education both in a student panel led by NBC Morning Anchor Stefan Holt, and at student-led informational booths. Collectively, they spoke of the increased academic and civic engagement they experienced upon joining buildOn, empowerment within themselves and an expanded sense of possibilities.

Through overwhelming support at the Breakfast, supporters contributed $480,000 to go towards buildOn programs! Thank you to those who attended and contributed! If you’d like to see professional photos taken at event, please “like” buildOn on Facebook and check out our recent Facebook album.