Volunteer-Based Tutoring and/or Mentoring Programs serving youth in Central area of Chicago.
BBF / BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES CENTER FOR THE ARTS MENTORING PROGRAM - NORTH LAWNDALE
https://bbfcenterforthearts.org/mentoring-program/
From the web site: "BBF's L.E.A.D. Mentoring Program matches youth (ages thirteen to twenty-four years of age in at-risk or acutely high-risk situations with thoughtful and accomplished mentors". This is one of many youth programs offered
BLESSED SACRAMENT YOUTH CENTER - SUMMIT TUTORING
https://www.bsyc.org/
Blessed Sacrament Youth Center (BSYC) is a youth development program located on the west side of Chicago in the North Lawndale neighborhood. The center is celebrating its 17 year anniversary. BSYC started when volunteers and youth renovated an unused parish building. The center opened with a basketball hoop, a ping pong table and 10 youth members. Today, BSYC has over 300 registered youth who participate in center activities which include tutoring, basketball, computer lab, arts & crafts, roller blading and participation in job training programs.
BREAKTHROUGH URBAN MINISTRIES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
https://breakthrough.org/programs/breakthrough-beyond/
From the web site: "Every day, Breakthrough surrounds youth with a network of caring adults to support their growth and expand their opportunities. The relationships that youth build with these adults provide positive influence and can make a huge difference in the life of a child. Breakthrough’s youth initiatives include preschool, middle and high school academic enrichment and spiritual development activities, along with athletic programs to engage youth physically."
BUILD - BROADER URBAN INVOLVEMENT/LEADERSHIP DEV
https://www.buildchicago.org/building-futures-education/
From the web site: "Since 1969, BUILD has focused our efforts and resources on Chicago’s most violent neighborhoods in order to change the status quo that has already taken too many young lives. We accomplish our mission through violence prevention/intervention, youth development, and coalition building. Over the years, we have taken the best elements of our program experience and created THE BUILD MODEL." Visit web site to learn more.
CASA CENTRAL’S YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED
https://www.casacentral.org/our-programs/youth-opportunities-unlimited/
From the web site: "Casa Central transforms lives and offers community support, with a special focus on Hispanics. Our network of social services propels children and youth, individuals and families, and seniors toward self-sufficiency and a higher quality of life.
The Youth Opportunities Unlimited program (Y.O.U.) provides year round, out-of-school time programming for students ages 14–18. The after school program helps youth improve academic performance, enhance workforce development skills, and increase awareness of college and career opportunities beyond high school."
CHICAGO LAMP (LAWNDALE AMICHI MENTORING PROGRAM)
https://www.facebook.com/chicagolamp/
From the web site: "The mission of Chicago Lawndale AMACHI Mentoring Program (LAMP) is to provide mentoring and support services to children in North Lawndale and nearby communities who are impacted by incarceration. Our goal is to improve the life prospects of the mentees by providing a helping relationship; and engaging mentees in cultural enrichment activities designed to break the cycle of incarceration and promote positive youth development." Find on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chicago-LAMP-Lawndale-Amachi-Mentoring-Program/148986865130333
CHICAGO LIGHTS TUTORING (4TH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH)
https://chicagolights.org/youth-programs/
From the web site: "Chicago Lights Tutoring encourages 400 students living in under-resourced neighborhoods to graduate from high school and pursue higher education and meaningful careers. We match each first through twelfth grader with one caring adult tutor/mentor and provide them with innovative educational, arts, and enrichment resources that promote long-term academic and social success.
Children in grades one through twelve—mostly from Chicago’s Near North, Near West, and Austin/Lawndale neighborhoods—come to Tutoring for weekly one-to-one tutoring sessions with volunteer tutor/mentors. In addition, the program offers healthy meals, creative enrichment classes, literacy activities, career development opportunities, access to technology, high school scholarships, college preparedness, and art and digital music instruction." Founded in 1965, this is one of the oldest, volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs in Chicago.
ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE - YOUTH OPTIONS UNLIMITED
https://eriehouse.org/our-work/children-youth/
From the web site: "Youth Options Unlimited (YOU) is part of our Expanded Learning Programs for Children and Youth, supporting the growth and development of at-risk students ages 12-18. YOU is a safe, supportive and enriching environment that both supplements and enhances formal classroom activities, while also stimulating a close-knit familial structure. YOU programs spark an interest in learning and improve academic and life skills; provide opportunities for peer mentoring and leadership development; and also facilitate safe, recreational alternatives." Visit the web site to see the variety of programs that are offered which include tutoring and/or mentoring.
FRIENDS FIRST AT MERCY HOME FOR BOYS & GIRLS
https://www.mercyhome.org/friends-first-mentoring/mentor-child/#.VnQ6hF7cAb4
This volunteer mentoring program matches adults with at-risk children to serve as role models, friends and confidants. Mentors in this program are all ages and from all walks of life but are united by their concern for Chicago youth.
HOLY FAMILY MINISTRIES - ADVENTURES IN LEARNING
https://www.hfm.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1711205&type=d&pREC_ID=1874929
A K-8 after-school program that offers learning activities for children from under-resourced communities. Operated in North Lawndale area.
HORIZONS FOR YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM
https://horizons-for-youth.org/
From the web site: "The Big Sibling Mentoring Program provides our students with a positive role model who demonstrates the benefits of academic success. Each Horizons for Youth child is paired with an individual Big Sibling mentor for the duration of his or her participation in our program. The mentor pairs meet twice each month–once at one of our scheduled Monthly Enrichment Outings, and once at a one-on-one meeting, organized by the mentor."
KIDZ EXPRESS
https://www.kidzexpress.org/programs
From the web site: "Kidz Express is a not-for-profit organization providing holistic solutions to the urban challenges of South Austin by building a continuum of community support to strengthen family economic security and foster positive youth development. We serve some of the most at-risk children, youth and families in one of the nation's most underserved urban environments -- the South Austin community on the West Side of Chicago."
LATIN SCHOOL HIGH JUMP PROGRAM
https://highjumpchicago.org/about/mission/
From the web site: "High Jump equalizes access to education for middle school students who have exhibited academic ambition and potential and who are of limited economic means. We provide academic enrichment, counseling and support to students of diverse backgrounds, with the goals of sending our participants to superior college preparatory schools, ensuring their success while they are there, and enhancing their ability to gain admission to highly regarded four-year colleges and universities."
LAWNDALE COMMUNITY CHURCH AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
http://www.lawndalechurch.org
From the web site: "The Kids Corner after school program serves 2nd through 6th Grade youth and offers:
1) Homework Assistance
2) Spiritual Development
3) Physical Education
4) Computer Class"
LEARNING EDGE TUTORING (WAS CLUSTER TUTORING)
https://learningedgetutoring.org/about/
From the website: "The mission of Learning Edge Tutoring is to contribute to the lives of Chicago-area students through free one-to-one tutoring and academic enrichment opportunities enhanced by caring, mentoring relationships." Learning Edge name was adopted in 2022. The organization operated as Cluster Tutoring for more than 30 years.
LIFE DIRECTIONS CHICAGO - PEER MENTORING PROGRAM
https://www.lifedirections.org/the-peer-mentor-program
From the web site: "The Peer Mentor Program establishes positive peer-to-peer and inter-generational mentoring relationships by engaging school administrators, teachers, student families, Adult Coaches, certified peer achievers; and at-risk 8th graders in a community-wide response to eliminate violence and self defeating attitudes that keep students from successful graduation.
In this process, achieving 10th and 11th graders, who have graduated from Life Directions’ Peer Motivation Program, are trained as Peer Mentors. After school they mentor 8th graders from nearby grammar schools to prepare them for a positive transition to high school. Peer Mentors receive support, encouragement and guidance from trained Adult Coaches recruited from neighborhood and business communities. Together they form a “pyramid of support” that advances the academic and social achievement of the Peer Mentors and their 8th Grade Mentees."
MIDTOWN-METRO ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS (MIDTOWN EDUCATION FOUNDATION)
https://www.midtown-metro.org/
From the web site: "Midtown-Metro guides low-income urban youth in Chicago along pathways of success. Our proven enrichment programs embrace the dignity of the person by focusing on academic excellence, virtue development, individual attention, and parental engagement.
MEF operates through its Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Center for boys in grades 4 – 12. Programs focus on Hispanic and African American youth, offering after-school and summertime growth opportunities that help students of average academic ability to achieve above-average results. Programs are rooted in Catholic moral and social teaching and embrace students regardless of their religious, racial, ethnic, or familial status. MEF received its original inspiration from Opus Dei, an institution of the Catholic Church, and continues today its partnership with Opus Dei."
NEW LIFE CENTERS - YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM - HUMBOLDT PARK
https://newlifecenters.org/en/programs/youth-empowerment-program-yep/
From the web site: "YEP is a program designed to help develop soft skills and leadership of youth in middle school and high school. It is a safe space to experience life through a different lens."
PITCH_IN AFTERSCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM IN LAWNDALE
https://pitchinchicago.org/
From the web site: "The Pitch In after school mentoring program is a cohort-based, group mentoring program based in the North Lawndale neighborhood. It is designed to offer unique learning experiences and opportunities for personal growth to students in 4th through 8th grades. By focusing on the core competencies of social-emotional learning, we aim to help our young people thrive in their personal lives, their family lives, and their school lives.
Working with school faculty and local area partners, Pitch In staff designs dynamic interactive activities, presentations, and projects to engage our students. Learning themes are carried over throughout the program year to reinforce and sustain learning."
PROJECT EDUCATION PLUS - AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
https://projecteducationplus.org/youth-programs/smart-after-school-program/
From the web site: "After-School Programs include a homework area and a computer center for elementary and high school students. Our computer center is essential for the many that do not have home access. PEP collaborates with the Stamps Youth Programs, Chicago Police Department18th District, St. Matthews Church, and Holy Family Church to provide additional (specialized) services and volunteers."
PROJECT IMPACT 180 LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING PROGRAM
https://www.projectimpact180.org/
From the website: "Project Impact 180 is a community-based leadership and mentoring program for youth 7-17 years of age living in high risk communities. The program fosters a safe place where youth are trained to creatively explore problems and solutions in their lives, families and communities through nontraditional experiences."
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT HOUSE - AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
https://www.northwesternsettlement.org/after-school-program
From the web site: "Northwestern University Settlement House's after school program connects caring adults with youth in and around the West Town community through mentorship, educational, service, artistic, and recreational activities in order to support their academic achievement, provide them with positive alternatives to destructive behaviors, and foster an ethic of service in the entire community."
ST. JOSEPH SERVICES - MENTORING PROGRAM
https://www.stjosephservices.org/youth-mentoring-program
From the web site: "St. Joseph Services' Youth Mentoring Program at St. Angela School guides and empowers Chicago's Youth, equipping them with the essential tools for a promising academic and professional journey. The program service youth in 5th through 8th grade.
ST. MALACHY SCHOOL/TEEN REACH
https://www.chicagoareaproject.org/community-youth-services/teen-reach/
This is a TEEN REACH program operated by The Chicago Area Project at St. Malachy School, 2220 W. Washington, Chicago, IL. 60612 This description of Teen REACH is on the CAP web site: "The primary purpose of the Teen REACH Program is to provide delinquency prevention services to youth and their families, (specifically those receiving TANF assistance), by implementing the Six Core service components as outlined in the Teen REACH program plan. These components include Improving Educational Performance, Life Skills Education, Parental Involvement, Recreation, Sports, and Cultural/Artistic Activities, Positive Adult Mentors and Service Learning Projects. The program itself is structured to help formulate relationships with other neighborhood and community based agencies/institutions in developing structured activities. These linkage agreements include: faith-based institutions, local grammar, high schools, colleges and universities; local parks and other recreational facilities; police, mental and physical health care providers."
THE OFF THE STREET CLUB
https://www.offthestreetclub.com/
From the web site: "Founded in 1900, Off The Street Club is Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club. We currently serve more than 3,000 kids in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country, West Garfield Park. We are grateful to all our supporters, including the Chicago advertising, marketing and media community.
We are a place where kids can truly find hope. Every child seeking a safe place to go is welcome to join us for games, play and mentorship. Mentoring and tutoring is offered Wednesdays at 5 p.m. at the Edeleman offices on the 66th floor of the AON Building."
THE UCAN CHICAGO - POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
https://www.ucanchicago.org/about-us/what-we-do/positive-youth-development/
From the web site: "UCAN’s primary clients are youth in care of the state child welfare system and youth who have been removed from their homes for reasons of abuse or neglect. UCAN uses a Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework to guides the way UCAN and the communities they serve organize services, opportunities, and support systems so that young people can develop to their full potential." Visit the organization's web site to learn more.
TUTORING CHICAGO (WAS CABRINI-GREEN TUTORING PROGRAM, INC.)
https://www.tutoringchicago.org/
From the web site: "Tutoring Chicago, founded in 1965 by volunteers from the Montgomery Ward Corporation, provides free weekly tutoring to approximately 600 students in grades one through six with the help of over 650 dedicated volunteers. Our students come from economically disadvantaged families from all around Chicago, but most significantly from the Near North and Near West neighborhoods as well as the Logan Square area. Tutoring sessions are held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 pm to 7:30pm. Each student is paired with his/her own volunteer tutor. The program provides a safe, stable learning environment and individualized attention for the children.
Note. Daniel Bassill, founder of Tutor/Mentor Connection (this web site) was leader of this program from 1975-1992. Many of the ideas and strategies Dan shares comes from lessons learned and structure developed during this leadership role.
WEST TOWN BIKES - USES BICYCLES AS A TOOL TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE
http://westtownbikes.org/youth-rograms/
From the web sites: "West Town Bikes is a community bicycle learning center. We offer youth programs here at the shop in Humboldt Park and across the city, bicycle mechanics workshops and classes and special events to members of the community. We also provide creative work space for special bicycle building, utilitarian human powered design, kinetic art, advocacy projects, and all sorts of constructive creation." They provide apprenticeship programs for youth attending high schools in and around Humboldt Park.
YOUNG MEN'S EDUCATIONAL NETWORK (YMEN)
https://www.ymenchicago.com/
From the web site: "The Young Men’s Educational Network was started by the RESIDENTS of the North Lawndale community on Chicago’s West Side. Michael Trout and 12 young men started the organization in 1996. YMEN is an effective and dynamic youth leadership organization that was established to address academic and social needs that cripple the futures of our African American young men. Offering 30 different programs, 7 days a week, YMEN provides year-round engagement and a sense of belonging to youth beginning in the 6th grade and continuing through college. YMEN creates a 15- year relationship with its students, helping them successfully transition from adolescence into adulthood by creating a safe place for them to learn and making meaningful investments by caring adult mentors. During this period, YMEN promotes healthy attitudes, growth in skills and knowledge, and appropriate behaviors while effectively helping youth overcome obstacles that stand in the way of academic achievement and responsible citizenship."
Y-PALS MENTORING AT KELLY HALL YMCA - YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS
https://www.ymcachicago.org/programs/youth-and-teen-leadership/
From the web site: "The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago offers multiple leadership programs in safe, welcoming environments throughout the city. Our programs focus on enhancing skills, building confidence, and improving academic performance. By providing young adults the opportunity learn and grow, we are creating a healthier and stronger community." Browse the list of programs shown on the web site.
