mikva challenge 2006 annual report

MikvaChallenge

Annual Report 2006Making new assumptions about youth

MAKING NEW ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT YOUTH 3

Opening Chicago papers these days can be a depressing experience. Far too many of ourgovernmental leaders are being investigated for corruption—and some, including our formerGovernor, have been found guilty of abusing the public trust.

What’s the antidote to all of this bad news? For me, it’s the Mikva Challenge.

Mikva Challenge is a beacon of hope in a muddy political environment. This organizationis training thousands of idealistic young people to get involved in the political process,and Mikva staff are recruiting new talent in often ignored Chicago neighborhood schools.U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald may be weeding the political garden of bad apples, butMikva Challenge is the organization that is developing a cadre of young, capable leadersfor our local and state governments.

The Mikva Challenge mission is bold, and its methods for educating youth are equally bold.Students in Mikva Challenge LIVE DEMOCRACY—they don’t just study it. They questioncandidates, work on campaigns, serve as election judges, and advocate for their issues withpublic officials. This year, Mikva youth have worked to change school policies, they havedeveloped a model youth philanthropy program, and they have organized an influentialyouth advisory council to Chicago schools Chief Arne Duncan.

I believe the power of this program comes in part from the unique assumptions thatMikva Challenge makes about young people. We do not believe that young people areapathetic; they are just uninvited. We do not believe that adults possess all knowledge;young people are experts on many issues. And we do not believe young people are tooimmature to be involved in the political process. We think YOUNG PEOPLE CAN CONTRIBUTETO OUR POLITICAL PROCESS NOW, and by participating directly in politics, they developa life-long commitment to public service.

I hope you enjoy reading this annual report and learning more about THE POWER OFPOSITIVE ASSUMPTIONS about youth. I think you will discover your own inner optimistwhen you see how Mikva Challenge is going to change “politics as usual” in this city and state.

Sincerely

Cynthia CanaryPresident

MikvaChallenge

Dear Mikva Friends and Supporters,

� � � � Youth Are Civic Leaders� Youth Are Community Activists� Youth Are Experts�

“The story of this election was the kids,”declared LANGDON NEAL, Chairman of theChicago Board of Elections Commissioners,a week after the November 2006 elections.“And the kids delivered.”

With the introduction of new votingtechnology, tech-savvy 21st century youthare now crucial to making election daywork, said Neal, who had nothing but praisefor the 619 Mikva students who served aselection judges in November through MikvaChallenge’s Elections in Action program.This unique civic education program turnsyoung people into civic leaders by givingthem the opportunity to meet candidates,debate politics with their peers, and serveas election judges on election day.

The idea is basic but powerful: studentswill become more excited about andcommitted to the political process whenthey have a meaningful role in it.

“Once students get out to the precincts, theyget engaged in the political process,” Nealsaid. “Many enjoy it so much that we knowwe’re going to retain them for a lifetime.”

Nothing like politics as usual

Students in the program—high schoolseniors who have at least a 3.0 grade pointaverage—participate in one trainingorganized by the Board of ElectionCommissioners and another trainingorganized by Mikva Challenge.

On election day last fall, students didexactly what all the adult election judgesdid. In many cases, Mikva students did evenmore, because many knew how to operatevoting machines better than anyone elseat their polling place.

When the program started in 2000, LanceGough, Executive Director of the Board ofElection, was getting calls from people whodidn’t want to work with teens on electionday. Now, he gets calls from the same people,asking for students to be assigned to theirpolling place.

Some students were initially apprehensiveabout the idea of getting up at 4:30 in themorning to spend fifteen hours handing outballots and checking signatures. But afterclosing up the polls and transmitting all thevotes, 88% of the participating studentsagreed that because of their Elections inAction experience they are more interestedin elections and voting, and 93% say theywill vote in the future.

Youth Are Civic Leaders

Making election day work

4 MIKVA CHALLENGE ANNUAL REPORT 2006

� 21st century youth : 619 student election judges � 4:30 am : “Rise and shine!” �

Langdon Neal

A lasting impact

The Elections in Action transformationhappened to STACY PLEASANT, nowa sophomore at Chicago State University.

Pleasant served as an election judge in2004 through the Mikva program while shewas a student at Kenwood Academy HighSchool on Chicago’s south side. It has beenmore than two years since her first electionday experience, but Pleasant vividly recallsthe details of that day, from signing ballotsand showing voters how to vote, to meetingpeople from her neighborhood.

“Before Mikva, I wasn’t into elections andwasn’t very well informed about politics,”she said. “I thought it was too complex forme. I’m more aware now—this experienceopened my eyes up and showed me thatI could be involved.”

Like so many other young people,Stacy’s Mikva election experience got her“hooked on politics” in a way that promisesto last long after the votes have been talliedand the victory parties have wrapped up.For Stacy, that means that on election dayin 2006, she returned to serve as a pollingplace administrator in a precinct nearher home.

“Mikva treats you like a leader and givesyou a chance to get valuable experience,”Pleasant said. “It’s inspiring. They knowwe can be leaders. And you know what? Wecan.”


“Before Mikva, I wasn’t into elections” � “Mikva made politics fun.” �

“The story of this election was the kids.”LANGDON NEAL, Chairman of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners

Stacy Pleasant

“They know we can be leaders. And you know what? We can.”Elections in Action project participant STACY PLEASANT, now at Chicago State University

Youth Are Community Activists

Building Youth-Adult Partnerships


“I’m used to being stereotyped as awoman or a Mexican,” said CYNTHIAAREVALO, “but I realized that people outthere will also stereotype me becauseI’m a young person, regardless of mygrades or accomplishments.”

Arevalo, a senior at Josephinum HighSchool on Chicago’s northwest side, learneda new kind of civics last year throughMikva Challenge’s Issues to Action program.Issues to Action is the opposite of anobligatory class assignment. In reality,it belongs to the vibrant tradition ofcommunity action in Chicago in whichneighborhood residents organize for change.The program engages more than 1100 studentsfrom 24 high schools in civic action projectsfor the entire school year. In the process,youth learn that they don’t have to waituntil they grow up to transform theirschools and communities. They cando it now.

Tackling difficult issues

Cynthia and her peers were concerned aboutthe number of teens cycling in and out ofjuvenile detention centers and the lack ofpositive options for youth re-entering thecommunity.

“The issue we chose was juvenile re-entryfrom the juvenile justice system,” Arevalosaid. “In our community [Humboldt Park]we see the injustice of the whole system.These kids are coming in and out,there is nowhere for them to go in ourneighborhood—and they often wind upin gangs. It really affects us.”

In order to address this problem, Cynthia’sIssues to Action group decided to createa resource guide listing services andopportunities available to re-entering youth,from voter registration to tattoo removal.They began to reach out to communitygroups that might offer such services, butencountered some surprising resistance.They soon realized that they would have tobe persistent, and tolerate a few organizationsthat refused to help them or did not takethem seriously because they were teens.

� “stereotype my age?”� 1100 students / 24 high schools �

Cynthia Arevalo

Reaching out

Determined to take action, Cynthia andher peers got in touch with 35th WardALDERMAN REY COLON. Colónunderstands the importance of buildingyouth-adult partnerships. He recalled anexperience he had years ago as a staffmember at the Boys and Girls Club ofChicago. He tried to organize a youth event,but neglected to give the young peoplea voice in the planning process—and,he said, “because I didn’t involve them,it didn’t fly.”

“I learned that you have to involve youth.That’s what I see in this Mikva program—youth are stakeholders. They have a realsense of ownership in the community.”

Colón said he often sees a “disconnect”between youth and adults in the community—but not with this program. “The Mikvaprogram can help create meaningfulrelationships between youth, their peers—and with adult leaders.”

Making an impact

Impressed with the Josephinum students’knowledge of their issue and commitmentto creating change, Alderman Colónconnected the students to a group of adultcommunity organizers. As the only teenagerat the organizing meeting, Cynthia wasexcited to have the opportunity to make hervoice heard and make a real contributionto her community.

Arevalo said that by tackling a challengingcommunity issue, she and her peers grewas leaders. “What I learned is that if we takethe initiative and voice our opinions ina positive and mature way, we can getthings done,” she said.


“The Mikva program can help create meaningful relationshipsbetween youth, their peers—and with adult leaders.”35th Ward Alderman REY COLON

“What I learned is that if we take the initiative and voice ouropinions in a positive and mature way, we can get things done.”CYNTHIA AREVALO, a senior at Josephinum High School, Issues to Action participant

� civic action project: juvenile re-entry from the juvenile justice system�

Rey Colón

Anyone who follows the news in Chicagoknows that security is a hot issue in theChicago Public Schools. Fights betweenstudents, tensions between students andschool security guards—these are realitiesthat many students know all too well.

Mikva Challenge students are not justwitnesses to this issue. They speak out.They share their unique “front line”knowledge with school leaders. And theybuild partnerships with adults to createinnovative solutions to common problems.

Growing partnerships

For the last year, high school studentsinvolved in Mikva’s Youth Innovation Fundprogram provided input to Chicago PublicSchools CEO Arne Duncan directly throughthe district’s first-ever Student AdvisoryCouncil, which meets with Duncanevery quarter. Together, Duncan and theMikva students identified school security asa major issue and recognized that studentsare an essential source of informationand solutions.

As a result, in September of 2006, Mikvayouth were the first students ever toparticipate in the citywide training ofschool security officers. Mikva studentsgave challenging presentations for 1200security guards at two required trainings,sharing their experiences and raisingquestions about how to improve schoolsafety. What happens when a student isdisrespectful? How about when a securityguard sexually harasses a student? In theend, students sparked a dialogue by sharinghonest and powerful messages.

Youth Are Experts

Mikva Students Train School Security Officers


“We build partnerships with adults� to create innovative solutions� to common problems.”

“It was a learning experience for both.”ANDRES DURBAK, Director of CPS Bureau of Safety and Security

“Students are the eyes and ears—we know what’s really going on.”JUSTIN MERRICK, a senior at Roberto Clemente High School, Youth Innovation Fund participant

Justin Merrick

Building leaders

JUSTIN MERRICK, a senior at RobertoClemente High School, was part of a groupof Youth Innovation Fund students whocame to Mikva Challenge’s downtownoffices just about every day last summerto work on the school security issue.

“Students did everything in this program,from learning about issues and meetingwith Arne Duncan to creating skits anda video on important issues,” said Justin.“We learned that we have a lot to offer.”

For the training, Justin and his peerscreated a video of students sharing theirperceptions of security guards, and a set ofskits exploring situations high school youthwitness on a regular basis. Justin explainedthat because they are in the halls andclassrooms every day, youth see things thatthe folks who usually train CPS securityguards can’t. “Students are the eyes andears,” he said, “we know what’s reallygoing on.”

A two-way exchange

ANDRES DURBAK, Director of the CPSBureau of Safety and Security, knew thatallowing Mikva students to train his staffmight look like a gamble to some people.He knew the security staff might havestrong reactions to being taught by students.But he thought that what the students hadto share was important, and he believed thatthe security guards needed to hear it, even ifthey had to work through theirinitial resistance.

In the end, Durbak’s confidence in thestudents really paid off. In a letter to theMikva staff, Durbak congratulated Justinand his peers on their dynamic presentation.

“The students were honest, mature, andintelligent in their approach to very sensitivesubjects.” wrote Durbak. “They presentedsome issues that all of us needed to considerfrom the student’s perspective.”

“By the end of the trainings,” he said in aninterview, “there was a greater understandingbetween students and security officers.It was a learning experience for both.”

Justin and his peers, having accomplishedthe successful training, realized how theirknowledge was a valuable resource forsecurity guards. One security guard toldJustin that “after fourteen years, this trainingwas the most effective.”


“We are passionate.� We speak out on important issues.� We have a voice and can get people to listen.”

Andres Durbak

Elections in Action

Through the Active CitizenProject, more than 750high school students frommore than 40 schools learnthe voting process byserving as a judge ofelection and helping to runa polling place on electionday. Student judges alsoencourage their peers tovote through the NewVoter Initiative. Electionsin Action also engagesmore than 200 studentsin campaign work, voterregistration, and school-wide mock elections.Launched each year witha student-run candidateforum, this programtransforms students’ attitudestoward the politicalprocess and enhancestheir understanding ofcampaign work andelectoral politics.

Issues to Action

In Issues to Action, morethan 1100 students frommore than 25 high schoolsengage in civic actionprojects that address localissues and advocate forpolicy change. Students areempowered by working onissues that affect their day-to-day lives. They identifyissues in their communitiesand learn about local gov-ernment and the politicalprocess through research,analysis, and the creationof action plans that tacklethese issues. Studentsinvolved in this programattend Mikva’s YouthActivism Conference to gainessential advocacy skillsandpresent their final actionprojects in our annualCivics Fair.

Youth InnovationFund of Chicago

The Youth Innovation Fund(YIF) board, composed of25 youth, serves as theYouth Advisory Councilfor the CEO of ChicagoPublic Schools. YIF membersalso convene and trainboth youth and adults onissues including securityin Chicago Public Schools,creating successful youth-adult partnerships, andempowering students toimprove their schools.In addition, the YIF boardacts as a catalyst foryouth-directed civic actionby making grants toyoung people engagedin efforts to improvetheir communities.

Summer Governmentand LeadershipInstitute

The Summer Governmentand Leadership Instituteplaces students that haveexcelled in Mikva programsin paid summer internshippositions in the offices ofcity, county, state, andfederal lawmakers for 20hours a week. In addition,these student interns learnleadership skills andactivism by attendingweekly, day-long Mikvaworkshops where theyexplore a social justiceissue and develop relevantpolicy recommendations.This year, 42 students chose5 different youth issuesto tackle and presentedpolicy recommendationsto the media.

2006-2007 Programs

Core Programs


� The Mikva Mission: To develop the next generation of civic leaders� activists, and policy-makers�

Civic EducatorNetwork

The Civic EducatorNetwork providesprofessional developmentopportunities and supportthroughout the year toteachers in the Electionsin Action and Issues toAction programs.

CommunityLeadershipScholarships

This year, Mikva granted18 scholarships to juniorsand seniors who havebeen involved in Mikvaprograms to be used intheir educational pursuits.

Alumni Network

The Alumni Networkexposes past Mikvastudents to potentialcareers in government andpublic service, providesopportunities for them tomeet important Chicagoleaders and politicaloperatives of both majorparties, and further developstheir civic leadership,talent, and motivation.

Supporting Initiatives


� by giving young people the opportunity� to actively participate in politics.�

$10,000 +AllianceBernstein

Ark Asset ManagementCompany Inc.

Bear Stearns

Bruce, Martha &Zylpha Clinton

Delaware Investments

EnTrust Capital

Freeman Associates InvestmentManagement, LLC

Intercontinental Real EstateCorporation

Landmark Partners

Lazard Asset Management

MacKay Shields

Robeco InvestmentManagement

Segall Bryant & Hamill

$5,000 TO $9,999Anita & Ken Adams

AIM for PAR

American Realty Advisors

Ariel Capital Management, LLC

Bank of New York

Barrow, Hanley,Mewhinney & Strauss, Inc.

Sheldon Baskin & Judy Wise

BlackRock

Brandywine Global InvestmentManagement, LLC

Capital Solutions

Chicago Equity Partners

Chicago Public Schools

Columbia Partners InvestmentManagement

Commonwealth Realty Advisors

Congress Asset Management Co.

Dearborn Partners LLC

EIM USA

Fifth Third Asset Management

Fred Alger Management, Inc.

GESD Capital Partners

Grosvenor CapitalManagement, LP

Hamilton Lane Advisors

ING Investment Management

INVESCO

Janus Institutional AssetManagement/Intech

Loomis-Sayles & Company

Lord Abbett & Company

LSV Asset Management

Lyster Watson & Company

Mariner Investment Group

Mellon Financial

Mesirow Financial

Abner & Zoe Mikva

Multi-Employer Property Trust

Nicholas-Applegate CapitalManagement

Northern Trust

NWQ InvestmentManagement Company

Oppenheimer InvestmentManagement

Paladin Capital Group

Phoenix Investment Partners

Prudential Financial

Mike Quattrocki

Rothschild Investment

State Street Global Advisors

Systematic FinancialManagement

Ten Asset Management

ULLICO

Voyageur Asset Management

Wellington ManagementCompany

WestLB Asset Management

The Yucaipa Companies

$1,000 TO $4,999ABC Channel 7 Chicago

AFSCME Council 31

Amalgamated Bank of Chicago

Amalgamated Bank ofNew York

Arrow Partners(Washington Capital)

Bakery, Confectionery, TobaccoWorkers & Grain MillersInternational Union

Rick Ballsrud

Jayne Barnard & John Tucker

Henry Bayer & JacquelineKinnaman

Julian & Joan Berman

David & Judy Bonior

Adam Brooks &Cynthia Canary

James Castello

William & Hillary Clinton

George Cotsirilos & Joan Hall

Nancy S. deGrazia

Federated Investors

Lynn Frackman & Tom Meites

Helen Gagel

Gartmore MorleyFinancial Services

Richard Graf

Great Lakes Advisors

Harris InvestmentManagement, Inc.

Holland Capital Management

Eileen & James Holzhauer

Ivy Asset Management Corp.

K2 Advisors

Joel & Ricki Kanter

Martin & Patricia Koldyke

Robert Lassandrello

Local 881UFCW

John & Megan Lombardo

Jim Manley & Associates

Charlotte & Jack Marco

Lisa McBirney

Missouri Valley Partners, Inc.

Tom & Cile Mitchell

Morgan Stanley

National InvestmentServices, Inc.

Oppenheimer Capital

Payden & Rygel

Putnam Investments

Quest Investment Management

Refco LLC

Jack Ringer

Martin & Karen Russo

Ron Sternal

Larry Suffredin

Washington CapitalManagement

Western Asset Management

Brian & Sheila Whalen

$500 TO $999Abrahamson Vorachek &

Levinson

John W. Baird

Becky & Jeff Bleich

Patrick & Elaine Brady

Steve Cohen & Mary Mikva

Louis Cohn & Pattie Kroness

Doris & Howard Conant

Philip & Theresa Cothern

Denver Investment Advisors LLC

Gary Elden & Phyllis Mandler

Adam & Pamela Emmerich

James Epstein

Mary Erickson &Greg A. Kinczewski

Charles Gardner

Ronald Gidwitz

Ronald & Audrey Grzywinski

Joel Handelman & Sarah Wolff

Joan & Sanford Horwitt*

Naomi Kanter

Mary Lou Kaplan & Jay Miller

Ann Kappler

Janis Kearney & Bob J. Nash

Catherine Kelly

Lotsoff Capital Management

Laurie Mikva* & James Pfander

Pat & Ron Miller

Montag & Caldwell

Ruth Munson

Diana Nelson

Barbara Parson

Eugene & Lois M. Pavalon

Howard & Kim Reich

Maurice Rosenblatt*

Bettylu & Paul Saltzman

Maria Simon & John Taylor, Jr.

Sommers & Fahrenbach

Frederic & Nikki Stein

Jill & John Svoboda

Chris & Nadia Nagib Wallace

John & Mary Willis

Joan & Richard Wolff

$100 TO $499Tracey Abman &

Ellen Schumer

ABN AMRO Asset Management

Jane & Floyd Abramson

Arthur Acevedo &Patricia Mendoza

Mary Adler

Mr. & Mrs. James Alter

Jon & Pamela SherrodAnderson

Doris & Laurence Ashkin

Atlantic Asset Management LLC

Attalus Capital

Frank & Kathleen Ballantine

Barrington & JacquelineBarnes

Grace Barry

Jill & Scott Baskin

Shale & Judith Baskin

Behn & Wyetzner, Chartered

Susan M. Benton

Timuel D. Black

Norton Kay & Sandra Blau

Joel Bonder & Kim Holmes

Heather & Paul Booth

Boston Trust & InvestmentManagement Company

Bill & Terry Brackett

Brian Brady & Anna Fillmore

Eileen Brady & Brian Rohter

Loretta Brady

Michael Brady

Sue Brady

Ann & David Broder

Barbara Buell

Bobby & Suzanne Calder

Valerie Chang

Christenson InvestmentPartners

Citizen Action/Illinois

Brian & Patty Cohn

Nadine Cohodas

Comerica Bank

Michael Conley

Debbie McFarland &Jim Copeland

Brian Crowe

David & Barbara Flynn Currie

Theodore Desch

Natasha & William Deutsch

John & Mary Donohue

Bob & Delyn Drake

John & Sue Durburg

Rachel Dvorken &Harry B. Rosenberg Jr.

Don Edwards & Edith Wilkie

Ellen Elias

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Elowe

Alex & Miriam Elson

Linda Erlinger

Gerald & Sandra Eskin

Ellen & Jerald Esrick

Jerry Esrig & Deborah Thorne

Elizabeth Evans

Jessica Feldman

Eugene Fidell &Linda Greenhouse

The Field Foundation of Illinois

John & Sally Fish

Janet & William Flapan

Karen Foley

Amy & Patrick Forebaugh

Richard L. Freeman

David & Maya Friedler

John Fritchey

Merrick & Lynn Garland

Judith & Malcolm Gaynor

John & Monica Geocaris

Ellen & Jeff Gilbert

Sarah Glavin

Carl & Fay Godman


thank you! Mikva Challenge Supporters

“This scholarship was a great blessing to my life and your generosity is EXTREMELY APPRECIATED.” �

Ethel & Bill Gofen

Ruth Goldman

Joshua Gotbaum &Joyce Thornhill

Paul Gregor

Mary Gremmler

Nelly & Peter Gutzmer

Steven Handler & Janet Koran

Lawrence & Margaret Hansen

Aram A. Hartunian

Edward & Therese Heffernan

Joel M. Hellman

Mia Henry

Jane Heron

Mark Heyrman

Margaret Hickey

Marshall & Doris Holleb

Paul Homer

Lisa Horowitz & Bruce Lerner

Ruth Horwich

James M. Houlihan

Patricia Cox Hunckler

Dorothy & William Hungate

Albert Hunt & Judy Woodruff

Hanna Hunt

Don Rose & Judy James

Ian & Monica Jones

Elena Kagan

Marc A. Kahan

Esta & Tom Kallen

Ethel Mae & Harold Katz

Judy & Robert Kemp

Jacqueline Kienzle

Kit Kinports & Steve Ross

William C. Kling

Irving Koppel

Steve Krone & Heidi Rummel

Richard Kronheim

Letitia Kruger

Edward Labaton

Dani & Jack Lane

Beth Lange

Maxine & Charles Lange

Alberta & Ned Lauterbach

Elliot & Frances Lehman

Joan Levin

Norman & Shellie Levin

Robert Lifton & Carol Rosofsky

Cynthia & John Linton

Richard E. Lyons

Gordon MacDougall

Michael Mangan

Maeva Marcus

Fred & Susan Mardell

Patrick & Rita McCourt

Matthew & Alanna McHugh

John and Gayle KellerMcJunkin

Nancy Segal & David Melton

Judith & Richard Meltzer

Jon D. Miller

Linda & Judson H. Miner

David Moag*

Linda & James Moag

James B. Moran

Margaret Moses &Mike Zimmer

Walter & Wendy Nathan

Dawn Clark Netsch

Barack & Michelle Obama

Bonnie & Martin Oberman

Mary Ann & Norton O’Meara

James Orr

Danny & JenniferO’Shaughnessy

Douglas & Jenny Patinkin

Margaret & William Pfander

Alexander & Barbara Polikoff

Toni Preckwinkle

Sally Randel

Kwame Raoul

Francoise & MichaelRemington

Eleanor & William Revelle

Harold & Marlene Richman

Rock Creek Group

Mary & Phil Roden

Estelle Rogers

Ken Rolling & Rochelle Davis

Bonnie & Michael Rothman

Ann Rothschild

Cathy Rudder

Esther S. Saks

David Saperstein

Jan Schakowsky

Richard & Ann DowningSchmidt

Mary Scott-Boria

ShoreBank

Adele Simmons

Patricia Simon

Craig & Erika Singer

S. Roy Slovenko & Paula Wise

Marshall Small

Linda K. Smith

Lillian & Ralph Smuckler

Stephen & Nina Solarz

Adlai & Nancy Stevenson

Geoffrey & Nancy Stone

Luke Stowe

Mrs. Luther M. Swygert

Howard & Paula Trienens

David & Bonita Turner

Annette & Scott Turow

Urban Studies Programof the Associated Collegesof the Midwest

Melanne & Phil Verveer

Robert & Jennifer Warden

Richard Watt

Norman & Eve Weinberg

Tony & Tracy Weisman

Daniel Winters

Iris Witkowsky

Ann Wolff

Robert J. Zaideman

Daniel Zemel

$0 TO $99William & Mary Abe

Alan Alson & Sue Ann Glaser

Peter Barash & Beth Valukas

Diane & Karl Berolzheimer

Julie Brown & Steve Schneck

Edward & Mary J. Chainski

Thom Clark

Carla & David Cohen

Carol Cohn

Geraldine Conrad

Maxwell & Beth Boosalis Davis

Todd Dietterle

Andrew & Chiyoko Douglas

Harriet Wilson Ellis

Winifred & Al Farbman

Matt Fasana

Florine & Sheldon Fishman

David Futransky

Judy Gearon

Dona & Stanley Gerson

Judith P. Getzels

Laurie Glenn-Gista

Barbara Goodman &Seth Weinberger

Richard Graham &Joanne Vena

Abner Greene

Eston & Sandra Gross

David & Beth Hart

Ms. Martin Hausman

Daniel Joynes

Nancy L. Kaszak

Judy Korshak & Rich Samuels

S. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Anne Ladky

Margaret Larson

Ivy Levy

Rhita Lippitz

Susan Loeb &Laurence Stanton

Barbara & Richard Longworth

Josh & Ricki Lowitz

Carey Lundin

Jeanne & Robert Marks

Elaine Martinez

Suzanne Martinez

Pauline Mayo

Stephanie & Scott McMurray

Dea Meyer

Joseph Moore

Edmund Moran

Barbara Morris

Grace & Sol Newman

Jim Nowlan

William Nussbaum &Susan Spangler

Perla Ocampo

Billy Ocasio

Jane O’Grady

Irene Patner

Judith Pigozzi

Carolyn & Edward Quattrocki

Enid Rieser

Adina & Bob Romain

Steven Saltzman

Edna Schade

Eugene & Mary C. Schiltz

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Schiltz

Hank Schwab

Maurice & Muriel Schwartz

Dr. & Mrs. Theodore Schwartz

Lisa Scruggs

Virginia Sloan

Judith & Stanley Sporkin

Sarah Vanderwicken

Joanne & Mark Weinberg

Bonnie Wilson

A.J. & Grace Wolf

William Zolla

FOUNDATION PARTNERS

After School Matters

Ariel Foundation

Francis Beidler Foundation

The Boeing Company

Booth Heritage Foundation

Helen Brach Foundation

Marguerite Casey Foundation

Arie & Ida Crown MemorialFoundation

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

Leo S. Guthman Fund

Hymowitz Children’sEducational Foundation

Joyce Foundation

The Mayer & Morris KaplanFamily Foundation

W. K. Kellogg Foundation

McCormick Tribune Foundation

The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund

Polk Bros. Foundation

Starbucks Foundation

Woods Fund of Chicago

TRIBUTE GIFTS

In Honor of Sandy Horwitt

In Honor of Laurie Mikva

In Memory of David Moag

In Memory of Maurice Rosenblatt

This list repreents our records ofgifts receieved between July 1, 2005and June 20, 2006. Please contact usto report any errors or omissions.

* Indicates the honoree of a Tribute Gift.

Gifts received between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006


� “Thank you for allowing other students to experience what has been a beacon in my life for the past four years.” �

Financials


� “We Are Civic Leaders.”� “We Are Community Activists.”� “We Are Experts.”� � � �

MIKVA CHALLENGE GRANT FOUNDATION, INC.STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

Years ended June 30, 2006 2006 2005

UNRESTRICTED TEMPORARILY TOTAL UNRESTRICTED TEMPORARILY TOTALRESTRICTED RESTRICTED

Revenue and Support

Foundation and corporate grants $ 23,000 $ 529,000 $ 552,000 $ 17,000 $ 142,000 $ 159,000Individual contributions 76,515 18,910 95,425 34,583 13,105 47,688Special events:Gross proceeds 475,335 475,335 400,725 400,725Expenses (36,754) (36,754) (20,718) (20,718)

Contract services revenue 26,462 26,462Interest and dividends 34,099 34,099 22,124 22,124Net realized andunrealized gain (loss) on investments (40,095) (40,095) 2,003 2,003Other 75 75 3,333 3,333Net assets released from restrictions:Expiration of time 60,000 (60,000)Satisfaction of program restrictions 276,910 (276,910) 366,310 (366,310)Satisfaction of other donor restrictions 75,000 (75,000)

Total revenue and support $ 895,547 $ 211,000 $ 1,106,547 $ 900,360 $ (286,205) $ 614,155

Expenses

Program services $ 604,166 $ 604,166 $ 580,108 $ 580,108Management and general 84,094 84,094 66,429 66,429Fundraising 57,692 57,692 29,381 29,381

Total expenses $ 745,952 $ 745,952 $ 675,918 $ 675,918

Change in net assets $ 149,595 $ 211,000 $ 360,595 $ 224,442 $ (286,205) $ (61,763)Net assets, beginning of year 631,666 56,951 688,617 407,224 343,156 750,380Net assets, end of year 781,261 267,951 1,049,212 631,666 56,951 688,617

These statements are an excerpt from the Mikva Challenge’s annual audited financial statements. For a complete copy of those financial statements,please contact the Mikva Challenge.

MIKVA CHALLENGE

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCynthia Canary, PresidentJack Marco, TreasurerMary Scott-Boria,Acting Secretary

Maggie HickeySanford “Sandy” HorwittRa JoyRaja KrishnamoorthiCarmen Melendez-RhinehartTom MeitesAbner MikvaZoe MikvaAndrew McKenna Jr.Diana NelsonJim NowlanMatthew Yale

ADVISORY BOARDKenneth AdamsDr. Carlos AzcoitiaWilliam BurnsHon. Reuben CastilloAdela CepedaHon. Edward DerwinskiTodd DietterleLarry FriedmanMia HenryHon. Henry HydeAndrea JettNancy KaszakMartin KoldykeJaime de LeonHon. Lynn MartinJelani McEwen TorrenceHon. Patricia MendozaHon. Bob MichelDavid NarefskyPerla OcampoMichael QuattrockiJohn RogersHon. Martin RussoMaria SimonBrian Whalen

Annual Report Design Henry McGill, hmcdesign.com

Writing and contributing editor Dan Baron

Photography Andrew Halpern, Kate Eubank

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mikva challenge 2006 annual report

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