Ada S. McKinley




In an effort to bridge the digital divide and increase workforce readiness, Microsoft awarded an Unlimited Potential grant worth more than $2.9 million in cash, software, curriculum and hardware to Ada S. McKinley, one of the oldest nonprofit agencies in Chicago serving African Americans. This grant is part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential program, which promotes digital inclusion and increased access to technology skills training in underserved communities. The program is part of a global initiative supporting Microsoft’s broader goal of bringing the benefits of technology to a quarter of a billion people by 2010. “We are extremely thankful to Microsoft for this generous gift and know the more than 12,000 clients we serve will be the true beneficiaries,” said Executive Director George Jones Jr., Ada. S. McKinley. “This donation will help open many doors to our clients, granting them access to technology they may not have had without the support from Microsoft. As we continue to work to empower and educate the Chicago community, we are thrilled for this tremendous level of corporate support.”“I commend Microsoft for being such a fine corporate citizen and for supporting one of Chicago’s most effective community organizations,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. “This generous grant will give a big boost to our citywide efforts to close the digital divide and prepare our residents for the high-tech jobs of the 21st century.”Part of the grant will support the McKinley Neighborhood House, a community center for people of all ages, providing after school programs for youth and day programs for seniors. The McKinley Neighborhood House Computer Lab offers technology access and training to all South Chicago residents, such as academic tutoring and homework assistance, as well as specific software training to assist with workforce development. Through Microsoft’s grant, the McKinley Neighborhood House Computer Lab will help to address this disparity by providing access to e-mail and the Internet to residents of South Chicago. The adults who participate in this program will make use of vocational software, gain computer competencies, and increase job opportunities. They will also use computer technology to perform such career-oriented tasks as job searching and posting their resumes online. “We are honored to provide this grant to Ada S. McKinley and are proud of its great work here in Chicago,” said Microsoft Midwest District General Manager Janet Kennedy. “Microsoft believes technology truly enables every person to realize their potential, which is why Microsoft and our employees have donated more than $42 million in cash and software to community organizations throughout Chicago since 2003. The McKinley Neighborhood Center Computer Lab is helping to create brighter futures for Chicagoland’s youth and adults looking to reenter the workforce, and for that we applaud them.”


Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that Lisa Rollins has been hired as Chief Development Officer. Rollins’s impressive career spans more than 19 years in fund raising, marketing and development. Recently she was Senior Director of Development and Communication of the Salvation Army - Metropolitan Division – the first African American and first woman to hold the top fundraiser position. She also has worked for the United Negro College Fund, Inc., United Way, Chicago Youth Centers, and South Shore Bank, to name a few. She says the chance to serve others was the impetus for her to work for social change and social service agencies. “Lisa’s extensive knowledge and experience in fund raising and marketing, and the intricacies of working with large agencies is a tremendous asset to the development department,” said Ada S. McKinley executive director George Jones Jr. “She will be responsible for increasing the agency’s visibility, individual giving, major gifts, agency program funding and endowment, and working with corporations and foundations.” Citing Ada S. McKinley’s stellar reputation of providing exceptional services to Chicago residents for the past 88 years, Rollins said she is “honored to have this opportunity to serve as the agency’s chief development officer and looks forward to working with an organization that offers a multitude of programs designed to assist persons by promoting empowerment and self-sufficiency.”Rollins holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology education from Bethune-Cookman College, and a Master of Business Administration degree from Hampton University. She is affiliated with a number of organizations, including Leadership Illinois, Outstanding Young Women, Association of Fundraising Professionals, National Academy of Volunteerism, and Blacks in Development. Rollins is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Top Ladies of America-Evergreen Park Chapter, and Jack and Jill of America-South Suburban Chapter. She is also a member of New Faith Baptist Church in Matteson. Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization serving individuals, families, and persons with disabilities who need help in developing their abilities in order to lead healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. Founded in 1919, its services include: head start, foster care, schools for students with disabilities, college placement, family counseling and intervention services, residential placements, job training and placement, youth and senior citizen day programs. More than 12,000 persons receive services through 36 program sites annually.


Shonda Shropshire received the surprise of her life on Christmas morning when she arrived at Intervention Services to receive gifts donated by local retailers. Unaware that Chicago Bears running back Thomas Jones would be delivering the gifts, Shropshire was being interviewed by major television stations when Jones entered the room wearing his signature number 20 Bears jersey and an orange Santa hat bearing gift-wrapped boxes. Shropshire was speechless. After hugging Shropshire and wishing her season’s greetings, Jones presented the gifts and autographed a photo. Jones also autographed several auction items for the upcoming Celebrity Golf Classic on August 6. Later, Jones sent a $5,000 check to Shropshire. DTLR , an urban fashion retailer partnered with other local retailers to replace items (clothing, linens, household items, CDs and CD players) stolen from the Shropshire’s apartment after a fire in November. The Shropshire’s, who had been receiving services from the Intervention Services Division, had to move to a shelter after the fire. Special thanks to Thomas Jones, DTLR, Unruly Productions, Inc., Universal Music Group – Chicago Region, Azzure’ Denim and Akademiks for their generous contributions.


Longtime Board member Dr. P. Shoffner realized his dream this month after lobbying eight years for a documentary to be developed and produced about the life and career of noted chemist, scientist, educator and inventor Dr. Percy L. Julian. “NOVA: Forgotten Genius” will air during February on WTTW11 and commemorate Dr. Julian’s scientific achievements, including synthesizing the anti-glaucoma drug, showing how chemicals from plants could be mass-produced; extensive research which led to soy products being used to make latex paint, a fire-fighting chemical, linoleum and other products; and the invention of technology to convert soybeans into synthetic steroids on an industrial scale in the ’40 and ’50s, to name a few. Dr. Shoffner said he met Dr. Julian in the late ’50s at a local American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting , of which both were members. “Dr. Julian had been a role model of mine and an inspiration since high school, and I had followed his career. It was at the ACS symposium commemorating Dr. Julian’s 100th anniversary of his birth in 1999 when a group of chemists, including Dr. Shoffner, expressed their desire to have Dr. Julian’s life and accomplishments developed into a documentary. Representatives from NOVA, a weekly pioneering series of programs for public television to explore the process of scientific discovery, also attended the symposium. According to Dr. Shoffner, the rest was history. “Dr. Julian achieved a great deal in his lifetime,” said Dr. Shoffner. “I hope young people are inspired and motivated by his accomplishments whether they become chemists or not.” For airings of the program, check the WTTW11 listings.


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