Ron Lofton

Ron Lofton is a McDonald’s owner who runs an afterschool tutoring site. This program is a collaboration between McDonald's and the North Lawndale YMCA known as McDonald’s YMCA Tutoring. Over the past eight years this program has provided 8,000 tutoring sessions. High School, YMCA and McDonald employee volunteers have logged more than 6,000 hours of service.

Students (K-8th) drop into McDonald’s Tutoring for a quiet place to study or read, receive homework help and school supplies. McDonald’s Tutoring provides whatever a student needs to achieve school success. Ron Lofton provides the site, food and supplies. The YMCA provides adult supervision and volunteer support. High school students volunteer to help out and to receive High School Service Learning credit.

Each day Ron Lofton and his McDonald’s staff provide a free meal to every participant who completes their academic assignments and shows a commitment to succeeding in school for that week. In addition to space and food, Ron provides his time and allows staff to assist with tutoring. He reads to the kids and provides holiday parties and Black History events at his restaurant and shows an interest in each child's progress.