Community High School District 218 officially launched a new partnership Tuesday with the Common Ground Foundation, the Chicago-based nonprofit founded by Academy Award-winning artist Common and his mother, former educator Dr. Mahalia Hines.
The kickoff event, held at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, welcomed 35 students from Eisenhower, Richards and Shepard high schools, who make up the program’s inaugural cohort. The collaboration brings the foundation’s holistic mentoring model, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, to the district, focusing on leadership, character development and post-secondary success.
Superintendent Dr. Josh Barron, along with representations from the Common Ground Foundation led the event, highlighting the shared mission to nurture student leadership, character development and long-term success.
“This community outreach and connection provide more mentorship and unique opportunities for District 218 students, including entrepreneurship and networking opportunities,” Barron said. “This is all about helping out kids.” Students were recommended for the volunteer program based on academic performance and interest.
Danita Allen, District 218’s director of community and government relations, said the partnership reflects the district’s dedication to helping students grow beyond the classroom.
District 218 students will participate in the foundation’s signature mentoring program, Windows of Opportunity, which emphasizes character development, personal and professional goals, culinary experiences, college and career readiness, and community service projects. Students will be paired with dedicated mentors for workshops, group activities and hands-on experiences designed to build confidence, leadership skills and practical knowledge for life beyond high school.
During his 2015 commencement speech at City Colleges of Chicago, Common spoke about following your dreams.
“Following your path is only the beginning of your greatness — the second step is believing in yourself,” he said.
That message, organizers said, continues to guide the foundation’s work. During Tuesday night’s event, Common Ground representatives spoke about involving students in the planning process, emphasizing that the program will be shaped by student and family input to reflect what participants feel they need most.
Founded in 2007 by Common, who was born in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood and raised in Chicago Heights, and Dr. Mahalia Hines, the Common Ground Foundation empowers high school students from Chicago’s high-potential communities to become leaders through mentorship, college readiness programs, summer camps and leadership conferences.
Its broader “Dreamers & Believers” initiative focuses on eight pillars, including leadership, generational wealth, creative expression and technology, and maintains a 100% high school graduation rate among participants.
District 218 serves students across 11 south suburban communities, including Palos Heights, Hometown, Alsip, Blue Island, Oak Lawn and Worth. The new partnership adds to the district’s ongoing efforts to connect classroom learning with practical experiences and post-secondary achievement.
“This is a moment of celebration and growth,” Allen said. “We’re connecting our students with mentors and experiences that will help shape them into the next generation of leaders.”
More information about the Common Ground Foundation can be found at www.commongroundfoundation.org.
What if the true power of this 25-year mentoring model isn’t just in guiding students toward college—but in nurturing the kind of character and confidence that transforms first-generation learners into lifelong leaders?
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