“I mentor because it is an opportunity that I wish I had growing up,” said Lauren Tazza, Construction Project Manager at Related Midwest. “My favorite part of serving as a mentor is getting to see the day to day growth and development that Michael is making. His drive and determination is impressive and I look forward to continuing to work with him and watch how he becomes a leader in the real estate and construction industry.”
While interning at Related Midwest, Michael has worked closely with the construction team on groundbreaking projects such as Lathrop Homes, an iconic mixed-income community between Bucktown and Roscoe Village, and the Taylor Street Apartments and Little Italy Branch Library, a co-located mixed-income housing development and public library on Chicago’s Near West Side. Michael’s ongoing internship with Related Midwest will culminate on July 31st.
“I have had such a great experience interning with Lauren, who is an exceptional mentor that I know I can turn to even after the duration of my internship,” said Michael Davis-Lewis, intern at Related Midwest. “Lauren and the entire team have helped me explore my interest in engineering, learn more about different opportunities in the architecture and building industries and develop skills that will help me be successful in college and in my career.”
Related Midwest has a commitment to investing in communities through partnerships with After School Matters, Future Ties, Saturday Place and SOS Children’s Villages Illinois. Related Midwest also supports Chicago Public Schools, specifically Dulles Elementary School in the Woodlawn neighborhood where it built a state-of-the-art 8,410 square-foot field and gymnasium floor.
Over that past ten years, Related Midwest awarded more than $250 million dollars of work to minority-and women-owned businesses ranging from landscaping to fencing to general construction. Related has hired more than 450 community residents and has awarded seven local companies with their first ever contract. In addition to contracting with new and local minority and women owned businesses, Related Midwest also provides mentorship, business support and training to community entrepreneurs.
