The 2010 Thomas A. Demetrio Award of Excellence was awarded to PEAK (The Partnership to Educate & Advance Kids). PEAK provides mentoring to at-risk youth and scholarships for them to attend Holy Trinity High School.

The Demetrio Award, a $10,000 award funded annually by the law firm of Corboy & Demetrio, P.C., is presented to the most exemplary established tutor/mentor program.  PEAK is a non-profit organization, which has provided support to Chicago youth for 12 years.  In that time, it has helped nearly 200 students to receive quality educations along with the support and guidance of adult role model mentors.

The award was established by Tom Demetrio in the spirit of beloved Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz. Demetrio said he was moved especially by one of Judge Marovitz's favorite observations-that while not everyone can do great things, people can do small things each day to make a difference in a child's life.

Demetrio presented the award on behalf of his law firm. In presenting the check, Demetrio said, "What distinguished PEAK from the other programs that applied for the grant, was "the four-year commitment of their volunteer mentors, who offer consistent mentoring for the students throughout their high school career.

"I don't often come to the presenting ceremony, but when I got to know what PEAK does with Holy Trinity, I had to be here. Our focus has become to try to help those programs that deliver consistency, and I must tell you, bar none, the PEAK program is the finest I've ever come across. It is my honor to be affiliated not only with such a great high school with the history of Holy Trinity, but also with the wonderful mentoring program of PEAK."

Demetrio went on to say to the students, "If fortunate enough, everyone should have a mentor at some point in their life, and PEAK is providing that opportunity for each of you. Someday, it will be your turn to Lend-A-Hand."

This year, 40 groups applied for grants from Lawyers Lend-A-Hand. Thirty-one general grants were awarded, and there were four finalists for the Demetrio award.