Metropolitan Family Services DuPage honors Mike Skarr with Roger K. Johnson Leadership Award
Metropolitan Family Services DuPage will present its Roger K. Johnson Leadership Award to Mike Skarr at its 20th annual DuPage Gala May 7. The award is presented annually to a civic leader who has helped empower families through their service and action.
In 2014, Skarr began working with Metropolitan Family Services after meeting Roger and Theresa Nihill in his capacity as board president of the Naperville United Way. In his two terms on the DuPage Board, Skarr served in various capacities, including serving as DuPage Co-Chair for the agency-wide Campaign to Mpower Families, which raised more than $30 million.
"It is an honor to receive this recognition, and I humbly accept this award on behalf of everyone who has given back to their neighbors and families during the past several years. Your contributions and support make a difference in the lives of the 24,000 families this organization serves annually," Skarr said.
Since joining the DuPage Community Board, Skarr used his decades of management experience and community connections to help the agency align its operations, raise awareness and solicit corporate and individual contributions.
"When leaders step back from their personal and corporate interests to give their talents and resources to take care of their neighbors who need a helping hand, they create a great community," Skarr said.
"I sincerely thank friends, colleagues, and business leaders who have increased their involvement and support in recent years, especially during turbulent economic times. Together, we've established a foundation that the next generation can build upon to help empower families to thrive in their lives."
Skarr's service to Metropolitan Family Services DuPage was the culmination of a career intertwined with community service focused on supporting quality education for children, facilitating entrepreneurship and business growth, and leading major economic development initiatives to create jobs and opportunities.
In 2020, Skarr retired from the DuPage Community Board and joined other dedicated leaders on Metropolitan DuPage's Alumni Board. The Alumni Board provides the agency with the opportunity to stay connected and continue to seek the perspective of former leaders and mentors.
Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, started more than 80 years ago, is a family service/mental health agency serving some of DuPage County's most vulnerable children and families. Whether through early childhood education, parent education, family therapy, psychiatric and mental health services for all ages, or services for older adults and their caregivers, Metropolitan "Mpowers" individuals and families to learn, to earn, to heal and to thrive. Visit www.metrofamily.org.