Our Mission: Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth's mission is to promote one-on-one mentoring relationships that foster consistent, long-term bonds between the mentor and young person.

The various means by which we accomplish our mission include:

  • Awarding approximately $200,000 in grants a year to exemplary tutor/mentor programs

  • Recognizing outstanding youth mentoring programs through the Thomas A. Demetrio Award of Excellence, the Much Shelist Founder's Award, and the Sun-Times Literacy Award

  • Raising the legal community's awareness of the importance of mentoring disadvantaged youth

  • Recruiting lawyers to serve on the boards of tutor/mentor programs

  • Recruiting volunteers from the legal community to serve as tutors/mentors in area programs

  • Promoting best practices in the tutor/mentor community

  • Expanding cultural, educational, and athletic opportunities for young people through our "Tickets-for-Kids" program

The organization's overall goal is to support one-on-one tutor/mentor programs that serve young people in disadvantaged Chicago area communities and that provide those youth with the guidance and support they need to both succeed in school and reach their full potential as independent, productive adults.

Since its founding in 1995 by Tom Demetrio, former president of the Chicago Bar Association, Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth has awarded close to $1,000,000 in grants and positively affected the lives of tens of thousands of youth throughout the Chicagoland area.

Our Leadership: 

Board Members
James A. Morsch, Chair
Holly Bartecki
Gary S. Caplan
Hon. Michael B. Hyman, Treasurer
Daniel M. Kotin, Secretary
Jerry A. Latherow
Elizabeth C. Scott

Genita C. Robinson, Executive Director

Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth is a 501(c)(3).