Help Send Chicago Students to College - Prepared and Confident
Ada S. McKinley’s College Preparation & Placement Program has been changing lives since the 1960s, when it was founded by the late Silas Purnell. His pioneering work helped thousands of Chicago students secure financial aid and admission to colleges nationwide. Today, our Educational Services team continues that legacy, beginning as early as 6th grade, with a full continuum of support: academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, college tours, career exploration, application and financial aid assistance, and more.
In 2008, former Chicago Bear Revie Sorey joined Ada and introduced our Trunk Scholarship initiative. After learning that many students arrived on campus without the essentials like bedding, towels, school supplies, and dorm room basics, he made it his mission to ensure no student started their college journey unprepared. Since then, hundreds of Trunk Scholarships have helped first-year college students start strong, focused on success rather than stress.
In 2024 alone, Ada helped students secure over $20 million in scholarships and financial aid. But this funding does not cover everything, and that is where YOU come in.
We need your support now more than ever. Make a gift today and help equip this year’s graduating seniors with the tools, supplies, and confidence they need to thrive in college. Let’s send students off with everything they need and show them their community is behind them every step of the way. Donate now. Invest in their future.
Questions? Please contact Lauren Youngblood at 312-221-9303 or lyoungblood@adasmckinley.org. For information regarding program sponsorship, please see our sponsorship packet.
