"United Way gives back to the community, to youth in every way we can. And I got to be a part of it. I helped unite people."
All his life, Mack Curtis knew he was different.
The second of four children raised by a single mother, he knew that he didn’t have the things his friends had. He was teased for the clothes he wore and the food he ate. Kids made fun of him for his chipped front teeth – the result of stumbling into a gang fight when he was 9 years old.
After awhile, Mack realized “I’m different and I like it, simply because I have something different to offer.” Instead of trying to fit in by doing things he saw others do, like fighting, skipping class and using drugs, he devoted his energy to school and to making his community a better place.
As Mack began the ninth grade at Wendell Phillips Academy High School, he connected with Centers for New Horizons, one of three community agencies in the Stay in School Initiative, a joint venture by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Exelon. It targets communities with the highest dropout rates in the City and supports a network of after school options to promote leadership, academic success and college preparation.
It didn’t take long for Mack to establish himself as a leader. On top of sports and school activities, he worked to register voters and was an official polling judge on Election Day.
As a senior, Mack was recruited for a yearlong career development workshop series created by Exelon as a companion to the Stay in School Initiative. One hundred fifty students met one Saturday a month at Exelon headquarters with employee mentors for interactive sessions on topics like interviewing, resume writing and networking. The experience was capped off with interviews for internships at United Way, Exelon and partner community agencies.
Mack impressed his interviewers and landed a summer internship at United Way headquarters. He was soon in demand as a speaker for United Way corporate partners. His personal experience with the Stay In School Initiative and the Saturday workshops continually made an impression. He urged audiences to give, advocate and volunteer, “You are guaranteed to produce more youth like myself.”
After Mack’s presentations, many were inspired by his story, urging him to keep in touch for future internship and job opportunities. One anonymous donor offered to pay to repair Mack’s chipped teeth. Mack was overwhelmed at the support, “Wow, that’s just how much you can touch a person…there are people out there – they don’t know you, but they get to know a part of you.”
Mack started college this fall at Virginia State University. He’s excited about the school’s strong broadcast communication program and the opportunity to experience a different climate and culture. And once he earns his degree, he plans to return to United Way as a mentor.
His LIVE UNITED T-shirt is with him on campus. And if someone asks what LIVE UNITED means?
“It means United Way, an agency that gives back to the community, to youth in every way we can. And I got to be a part of it. I helped unite people.”
Way to go, Mack! Excellent story!
This is awesome, Mack! Brought tears to my eyes. Can’t wait to hear updates from VA State.