Our Mission: 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 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 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 program’s overall goal is to support one-to-one tutor/mentor programs serving young people in disadvantaged Chicago area communities and providing those youth 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 then CBA President Thomas A. Demetrio, Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth has awarded close to $750,000 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
Gary S. Caplan
Daniel A. Cotter, Treasurer
Hon. Thomas More Donnelly
Hon. Michael B. Hyman
Jerry A. Latherow
Rita T. Planera, Secretary

Genita C. Robinson, Executive Director