The Barat Education Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) created in 2000 to promote the values and educational tradition of Barat College of Lake Forest, Illinois after the college was merged into DePaul University. Those values and tradition comprise a commitment to and recognition of the importance of preparing students BOTH for careers and engaged citizenship, enabling them to become community leaders and mentors to future generations. The Foundation sustains that commitment today and seeks to develop ethical, informed, active, and responsible citizens and community leaders.
The tag line under the Barat Education logo “community, education, partnership” is our mission. We are a unique nonprofit that realizes the importance of partnering & investing in projects with organizations capable of expanding program scope. Since 2001, we have invested more than $2.5 million in scholarships & innovative educational programs promoting civic leadership & action, building community, & advancing social justice that empower teachers, students & communities. Currently we operate two major civic education action programs both tested & successful: Our American Voice® (OAV) & Citizen U®. OAV is the core of this proposal.
MISSION
As heirs of the legacy and educational tradition of Barat College the Foundation’s 21st century mission is to: Renew our American democracy by promoting the engaged citizenship of students, teachers, schools, families, and communities.
The overarching goals of our programs center on enabling students to become civic leaders, empowering teachers to develop the citizens of the future, and working with schools to support their communities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sheila A. Smith, CEO/Chair
Kathleen Gillespie, Vice Chair
Michael Dimengo, Treasurer
Sarah Highstone, Secretary
Maureen E. Ryan