Citizen Schools and Motorola Mobility, a Lenovo company, earned the 2016 Impact Award, a top award given by the Chicago Charity Challenge. Known fondly as “the Cha Cha,” this unique corporate giving competition is designed to motivate corporate employees to volunteer and donate.“We were thrilled to partner with Citizen Schools for the Chicago Charity Challenge and benchmark our impact metrics against other strong philanthropic partnerships around the city,” said Monica Hauser, Head of the Motorola Mobility Foundation.  “Winning the Impact Award honors the dedication of our employee volunteers and the impact of Citizen Schools’ mentorship model, one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences we offer employees.”

Through a partnership with Citizen Schools, Motorola Mobility employees teach 10-week apprenticeships, twice a year, in STEAM Education –Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math. By dedicating nearly 1,500 hours to Citizen Schools during 2016, Motorola Mobility employees, known as volunteer Citizen Teachers, taught classes, hosted students in their offices, and judged innovation competitions - with a special focus on coding and technology for girls, minorities and youth in underserved neighborhoods. In addition to volunteering, Motorola Mobility Foundation also provides Citizen Schools with substantial financial support.

"Volunteer Citizen Teachers from Motorola Mobility are passionate, enthusiastic and deserve to be recognized for it,” she shared Jeanette Castellanos Butt, Executive Director of Citizen Schools Illinois. “They challenge and inspire not only our students, but other volunteers, donors, and Citizen Schools' supporters and our staff."

Citizen Schools thanks Motorola Mobility for being an invaluable partner and helping us provide an impact to 400 middle school students in Chicago Public Schools this school year. We are honored for Motorola Mobility’s partnership for winning the 2016 Issue Impact Award. Citizen Schools is excited to continue our dynamic and exciting partnership with Motorola Mobility.