Information provided by Glenwood Academy
GLENWOOD, Ill. (November 5, 2020) – Glenwood Academy will host its first-ever virtual gala on Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to all supporters, parents, sponsors, volunteers, and those interested in Glenwood Academy. Registration is now open at virtual2020.givesmart.com.
The “UNLuncheon 2020” will showcase a program featuring NBC5 Chicago’s entertainment reporter, LeeAnn Trotter as the emcee. Guests will also have the opportunity to hear from Mary Hollie, President and CEO of Glenwood Academy, as well as meet the students and families who have been positively impacted by the school. The annual luncheon is typically held in-person each November in downtown Chicago, and is one of the largest fundraising events of the year for the organization.
Located in Glenwood, IL, Glenwood Academy has an educational environment for more than 150 students in grades second through eighth, with a high school option at local partner schools. In a typical time, students live onsite Sundays through Fridays in a nurturing environment, away from the violence, poverty, and challenging situations that they may have experienced previously. Nearly all students live below or at the poverty line. Glenwood Academy is almost fully funded by fundraising events, as well as donors and sponsors.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the spring, Glenwood Academy has worked to maintain connections and ensure the safety of its students, who are currently living off-campus in their communities with their families/caretakers. In the past few months, needy Glenwood Academy families have been provided gift cards for food and essentials. All students have been provided laptops to maintain connections with their teachers, and to have the opportunity to e-learn. Teachers, house parents, and support staff have been available to provide tutoring sessions or assistance. Social workers have been checking in on a near daily basis to ensure students are in a safe environment, as well as providing individual, group, and family therapy sessions, if needed. Medical staff continues to maintain contact with students and ensure that proper medication is being administered and health issues addressed.
“During these unprecedented times, our families and students need the support of Glenwood Academy now more than ever,” said Mary Hollie. “It is through the support of our sponsors and donors that we have been able to provide food and essentials to our families, as well as 24/7 support for those who need it. The majority of our students live below the poverty level, and come from backgrounds that involve neglect, traumatic situations, abuse, and substance abuse. Our families are suffering during this pandemic with loss of jobs, homes, food security, and more. It is my hope that all of Chicagoland will tune in to our UNLuncheon to learn more about what we do for our students and families, and see how Glenwood Academy is changing the lives of our future generations.”
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jen Wolff at 708-756-6496 or [email protected]. For more information on Glenwood Academy, please visit www.glenwoodacademy.org
Glenwood Academy is located at 500 W 187th St, Glenwood, IL.
