Mission Statement
Friends of Swift is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that raises funds to support, enhance, and build the school community at George B. Swift Specialty School. We prioritize and fund programs that promote arts integration, general and after-school programs, and enrichment for students and staff. Friends of Swift seeks to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for the Swift community and the Edgewater neighborhood.
Recent Initiatives
Friends of Swift strives to supplement the financial support provided by the Chicago Board of Education and to make Swift an exceptional choice for all students in the Edgewater community. The spending priorities of Friends of Swift are set through a cooperative relationship with the school administration, which determines the needs of the school, requests the necessary supplemental funds, and directs how those funds will be spent.
Projects made possible through supplemental funding from Friends of Swift have included:
Projects made possible through supplemental funding from Friends of Swift have included:
- Technology purchases to enhance remote learning such as laptops and cameras.
- Photography for school events.
- Gardening and clean-up days for the Swift community.
- Special initiatives created by teachers.
- Teacher and staff appreciation projects.
- Summer Reading Program support.
- Support for Swift Solidarity Fund mutual aid during the pandemic.
- Renovations of the auditorium.
Board of Directors
Friends of Swift operates on a volunteer basis and encourages parents, teachers and staff, and community members to get involved. The current Board of Directors is:
- Christy Pimentel, President & Secretary, Swift staff
- Joanna Erenberg, Treasurer, Swift parent
- Margaret Hagerty, community member
- Colleen Herman, Swift teacher
- Kim Li, Swift teacher
- Henry Weaver, community member
Board Meetings and Minutes
Everyone is welcome to attend Friends of Swift board meetings. They are usually held the last Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM. Recently they have been held virtually. For information about how to attend, please email friendsofswift@gmail.com.
Minutes of past meetings are available here.
Minutes of past meetings are available here.