This site contains short pdf essays that represent the ideas and goals of the Tutor/Mentor Connection and Cabrini Connections.
This web site is where we share our own ideas, as crazy as they might be, of what an ideal tutor/mentor program might look like, and what industry and philanthropy leaders, and individuals from all parts of the country, need to to to help such programs be in all places where they are needed. We call this the Tutor/Mentor Institute because we aim to constantly learn new ways to do this work, and we aim to teach others to adopt these ideas in their own leadership.

From this site we also point to several other web site where we provide links to more than 1500 other web sites, and host forums where people can gather to network, share ideas or work directly with youth. This strategy map illustrates how these ideas all relate to each other.

We hope you will read these, share them with people in your own networks, and use them in actions that help tutor/mentor programs grow in Chicago and other cities. We also hope you'll help us improve these, and write new articles that we have not yet even thought of. If you would like to tell us how your are using these, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your comments.

1. Tutor/Mentor Connection Network of Purpose - Why and where tutor/mentor programs are needed, and how we support the growth of volunteer based programs in high poverty neighborhoods (updated 12/09)
   
2. Tutor/Mentor, Same Words, Different Meaning - defining the terms - understand the difference between tutoring and mentoring (updated 12/09)
   
3. Tutor/Mentor Connection strategy map (flash animation)
4. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Connection
5. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Program – We’re all in the TO WORK Business
6. What will it take to assure that all youth entering careers by age 25? How can your industry help?
7. Education to Careers Blueprint
8. Think of Tutor/Mentor Programs as retail store delivering needed services in a neighborhood

Understanding Availability and Distribution of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Programs in Chicago

1. Using Internet to Find Resources that help support the growth of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs
2. T/MC On-line Rresources (updated 1/2010) - and webinar version
3. No General would go to a war without a map - Understanding T/MC use of maps; flash version
   
4. Neighborhood Analysis – prepared by the Turor/Mentor Connection
5. Use of maps. 7th Congressional District
6. Use of maps, Il 14th Senate Dist.

Case for Strategic Business Investment and Employee Involvement

1. The Tutor/Mentor Connection Logic Model
2. Tutor/Mentor Connection’s Theory of Change
3. Tipping Points
4. What will it take to assure that all youth now living in poverty are entering careers by age 25? A Workforce Development Strategy
5. Tutor/Mentor Connection – Case for Business Involvement
6. The T/M Connection - a Retail Business Model (updated8/2010)

Leadership Strategies

1. Role of Leaders
2. Role of consultants and talent volunteers in building network capacity (added 1/7/2010)
3. Tutor/Mentor Hospital Connection
4. Model of Business Leadership Team for Tutor/Mentor Connection - Suggested Strategy
5. University Connection PDF
6. Tutor/Mentor Lawyers Connection-Concept
7. Strategy for Faith Leaders PDF
8. Students as Leaders, PDF
9. Network Building Role, PDF added 4/09
10. Tutor/Mentor Connection Quarterly Events. Creating year round visibility. Flash. Created 2/2010 by IIT interns
11. Role of many leaders - version 1 (flash)Created 2/2010 by IIT interns
12. Role of many leaders, version 2 (flash). Created 2/2010 by IIT interns
13. Role of leaders flash presentation (created by students from Indiana University)

Collaboration and Capacity Building

1. Tutoring/Mentoring as a form of Service-Learning updated 12/09
   See flash animation view of service-learning loop
2. Creating a Network of Purpose – The Tutor/Mentor Connection - roles students could take
   
3. Role of Tutor/Mentor Connection, and Intermediaries, in a Community Building Strategy
4. Growing the Tutor/Mentor Learning Network
5. Collaboration Goals
6. Animated concept map illustrating how we hope to reduce silos of thinking and encourage greater sharing of ideas and collaboration across sector.
7. Tutor/Mentor Leadership e-Conference – Introduction and Overview
8. Understanding needs of tutor/mentor program: summary of 2000-2003 survey data
9. Business School Connection Vision (wiki)
10. Understanding Tutor/Mentor Connection Network - Social Network Analysis Goals

Volunteer Recruitment Strategies

1. How sports, media and arts celebrities can help mobilize volunteers - Make the Connection
2. How volunteers become leaders in tutor/mentor programs (flash)
3. Maximize Value from Civic Engagement
4. Recruiting Talent for volunteer-based organizations
5. Volunteer Recruitment Ad to be used by business leaders to mobilize volunteers
6. Chicagoland Tutor/Mentor Back to School Volunteer Recruitment Campaign
7. Using Corporate and Faith Based Advertising to Mobilize Volunteers and Donors

How to Start and Sustain a Volunteer Based Tutor/Mentor Program

1. Steps for Starting and Building a new Tutor/Mentor Program
2. Operating Principles
3. Annual Planning Calendar
4. Volunteer Recruitment Strategies

1. Growth and expansion (wiki) of the Tutor/mentor Connection and Cabrini Connections

2.  Tutor/Mentor Connection – About us 2-page pdf

3. Blueprint of Tutor/Mentor Connection Knowledge Network(flash presentation)
4. Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection Annual Report
5. Cabrini Story: The Tutor/Mentor Business, Sara Caldwell, 1997

How do We Evaluate Impact?

1. Read the pdf essays titled Theory of Change, Logic Model, Tipping Points (see above, Case for Business Involvement)
2. View Chart of T/MC Goals and Strategy
3. 1994-2008 Growth of T/MC (pdf)
4. Improvement of T/MC - recommendations from DePaul students
5. View Metrics Chart - Concept Map
6. View Organizational History and Tracking System (OHATS) articles
7. Comparison of T/MC to Mentoring Partnerships in other Cities & States
8. Matrix showing comparison of T/MC to other Mentoring Partnerships (draft)

Research and Recommended Reading

1. Articles on High School Drop Out, No Child Left Behind, etc.
2. Rest of the Story - PR strategy/Intern opportunity
3. How School-Community Partnership Contribute to Widespread Volunteer Mentoring with Youth: A Study of Environmental Change in Three Communities, by Stergios Tsai Roussos
4. Children, Computers and Reading Skills, prof. Edna Aphek, Jerusalem, Israel

Presentations from past Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conferences

1. Tutor/Mentor Connection, April 8, 2010 presentation in Lafayette County, IN
   
2. Tutor/Mentor Networking Conference Presentation, May 26, 2006 – Successfully Transforming Teens to Career
3. T/MC Introduction to Pathways Into Health Conference, September 14, 2007
4. Sharing Knowledge and Bridging Gaps: Children Teaching Children Computer Skills / Theoretical Background, by Prof. Edna Aphek
5. Use of Maps Presentation at Wired.org event