Newsletters
JUNE 2010: WHAT'S (AND WHO'S) NEW AT MIKVA CHALLENGE?
We have officially launched our summer programs, added a couple new faces to our team, released our Annual Report, and are ready to develop another group of young people to become active, confident and thoughtful civic leaders.
| Orientation is Over - Let's Hit the Ground Running! | |
Summer Programs Have Begun!  Last week was orientation week, so this week Mikva youth are all over the city. Summer Government interns are in the offices of elected officials, and Citywide Youth Councils are entering the research phase of their work. The councils are focusing on the following framing questions to guide their summer research:
As part of their 5-hour weekly leadership and professional development workshop with Mikva staff, Summer Government interns will focus their discussions around Money and Politics. Please contact us if you have knowledge in any of these areas. We are always looking for talented guest speakers. | |
| Mikva Youth Deliberate on the Federal Budget! | |
| Mikva Youth Participate in America Speaks Event On Saturday, 50 Mikva students and alumni attended the first ever 21st Century National Town Meeting on the federal budget, hosted by America Speaks at Navy Pier. The Chicago meeting was one of 60 happening simultaneously across the country. M  ikva youth brought with them a youth perspective on national budget priorities and associated costs. Given our current economic climate, our country's growing debt, and who will pay for it, young people's participation in the debate becomes increasingly important. Though they represented only 10% of all attendees, the students held their own at the meeting, and were vocal about their concerns. One of the organizers of the event said "Mikva's strong presence at the town hall meeting made a great difference by representing the voices of young people across the nation. Despite being such a complex issue, students were able to speak their minds on how the decisions made now are going to directly affect them and their children in upcoming years." | |
| We've Added a Couple New Faces! | |
Lisbeth Leanos and Dr. Cynthia Barron Join Mikva's Board of Directors!  Lisbeth (photo on left) is an alumna of Mikva Challenge, and for the past six months, she has been heading up our Alumni Association. Lisbeth's knowledge of the organization, passion for politics, and dedication to the mission of Mikva Challenge will be valuable on the Board of Directors. Click here to read more about Lisbeth.Dr. Barron has over 40 years' experience in education. All but five of those years were with the Chicago Public Schools as a teacher, athletic coach, counselor, principal of two schools (elementary and secondary), Area Instruction Officer, and Interim Chief Area Officer for High School Area 25. We are happy to welcome Dr. Barron to the Board of Directors; her knowledge of the Chicago Public Schools system will serve the Board well. Click here to read Dr. Barron's full biography. New Faces at the Mikva Office! Mikva Challenge is thrilled to announce that Jill Bass has joined our team as Director of Curriculum and Teacher Development! A veteran teacher, curriculum writer, and teacher coach, Jill is uniquely qualified to head up our soon-to-be launched Center for Action Civics. Click here to read more about Jill's background. We would also like to welcome our four summer interns - Teach for America graduate Nikhil Angelo; University of Chicago Summer Links interns, Jonathan Lykes and Aliya Bagewadi; and Carleton College student and Posse Scholar, Robin Wonsley. We are glad to have them on board. A big welcome to the 45 Citywide Youth Council students who are working at the Mikva office! We are excited to get to know this new class of young policymakers. | |
| Mikva Challenge 2009 Annual Report is now available! | |
In this report, you can:
Click here to access the report. Paper copies will be mailed soon! | |
| Each month, Mikva Challenge selects an Alum of the Month. Click here to check out our most recent and past Alumni of the Month. |
| Thank you for a wonderful year! Please continue to follow us as our summer programs pick up steam! |
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