"Everybody can’t do big things, but we can all do little things that help others." – Judge Abe

The Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth Program was created by The Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Foundation in dedication to the lasting memory and generosity of Judge "Abe."

In 1994, Thomas A. Demetrio created the Lend-A-Hand Award of Excellence, with a desire to impact the lives of Chicago’s underprivileged children by recognizing the efforts of exceptional tutor/mentor programs in the Chicago communities. From this Award was born the Lend-A-Hand Program.

The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF), with the leadership of the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), initiated the Lend-A-Hand Program in 1995 and it has continued to evolve ever since. Since its inception, the Lend a Hand program has encouraged the legal community's support and furtherance of exceptional mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth in the Chicago area. The Program invites attorneys to volunteer their time as mentors, tutors, or Board Members with numerous Agencies throughout the City. In addition, through the "Tickets for Kids" Program, the Lend-A-Hand Program is able to direct donated tickets for sporting and cultural events to participating mentoring agencies and the youth they serve. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Foundation awards dozens of grants, annually, to deserving grassroots mentoring programs. Over the years, the grants have totaled in excess of $660,000.

In 2003, the Lend-A-Hand Program was re-launched with a $100,000 contribution from the CBF, made possible by a major gift from the Hon. Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Trust. The CBF is continuing its support of Lend-A-Hand as the Program prepares for its planned transition to an independent charity.

In what is thought to be the largest award of its kind in Chicago history, both Lend-A-Hand and the CBF received $2 million each as part of a class action lawsuit in November 2006. The money was awarded to the programs in a “cy press” resolution, enabling Lend-A-Hand to flourish. To honor the gift, the Program name was officially changed to The Sun Times Judge Marovitz: Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth Program.

Consistent with the CBA's historic commitment to community service and its ongoing goal of encouraging more minority and disadvantaged young people to pursue careers in the legal profession, the Chicago Bar Association has continued its leadership role in the Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth Program.