The programs listed below are funded and supported by Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth.  Lend-A-Hand provides them with grant funding and in-kind support through our Ticket for Kids program.  

All programs need a steady influx of volunteers.  If you choose to devote the time, you may find the rewards of volunteering immeasurable.

"A mentoring program such as this one embodies the paradox of service.  Whey you extend a hand, the hand that comes to meet you strengthens both of you.  Often times the one who lent a hand gains more from the relationship."

-Patrick M. Collins, Keynote Speaker at the Sixth Annual
My Hero Awards Luncheon, July 2009

If you are interested in volunteering with one of our supported programs, you may contact the program directly or contact Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth. 

Alliance for Community Peace
509 W Elm St.
Chicago, IL 60610

Contact person name and number:
Rev. Dr. Walter B. Johnson, Jr.
Waymanchurch@sbcglobal.net
(312) 943-8530
http://www.allianceforcommunitypeace.org

Brief program description: After school programs (particularly attending low-performing schools).  Programming includes: tutoring; mentoring; training; recreation activities; cultural activities; life skills; peer initiatives and leadership development; college and career workshops; and entrepreneurial and community involvement projects.
Ages of youth served: 5-17
Neighborhood(s) served: Cabrini-Green and Near North communities

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
560 W Lake St.
5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
 
Contact person name and number:
Art Mollenhauer, Chief Executive Officer
Mollenhauer@bbschgo.org
(312) 427-0637 x104
http://www.bbbs.org

Ages of youth served: 7-17 in one-to-one mentoring relationships.
neighborhood(s) served: Metropolitan Chicago

Brain Boosters
3253 W. Wilson Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

Contact person name and number:
Jessica BiancoSmith, M.S.
Jbiancosimith@comcast.net
(773) 278-7941

Brief program description: An after school tutoring and mentoring program for children in first though eight grades.  Their mission is to provide a safe and structured atmosphere that strengthens academic competencies and fosters the development of interpersonal skills.  Each individual tutoring session fosters a caring relationship between student and mentor, improves study habits and helps with homework.  The program is partnered with World Relief and serves a large refugee population.

Number of youth served: 45
Ages of youth served: 1st – 8th graders
Neighborhood(s) served: Albany Park (Chicago)

The Bridge Youth and Family Services
721 South Quentin Road
Suite 103
Palatine, IL 60067

Contact person name and number:
Peter Cunneen, Executive Director
(847) 485-3089
http://www.bridgeyouth.org/

BUILD
1223 N Milwaukee Ave.
 
Contact person name and number:
Amber Mandley
Amber@buildchicago.org
(773) 227-2880
http://www.buildchicago.org

Brief program description: Mentors come once a week for about 2 hours.  Mentors work one-on-one with the same student for the entire school year.  Once homework is completed, mentors talk, play a game or work on an art project with the mentee.

Number of youth served: 30
Ages of youth served: 6-17
Neighborhood(s) served: Humboldt Park, West Town, Logan Square

Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection
800 W Huron
Chicago, IL 60622
 
Contact person name and number:
Daniel F. Bassill
Tutormentor2@earthlink.net
(312) 492-9614
http://www.cabriniconnections.net/

Brief program description: Provide organized framework that empowers and encourages volunteers to give their time, skills and support in seeking life-changing solutions for children who live in an educationally disadvantaged environment.  Connect inner-city youth with one-on-one tutor/mentors, advocates and learning-support for each teen.

Through the Tutor/Mentor Connection (http://www.tutormentorconnection.org), this organization serves as a hub of information about tutoring/mentoring programs throughout Chicago. Through conferences, on-line networking and its Internet strategy the organization connects tutor/mentor program leaders, volunteers and supporters with similar groups throughout the country. Visit the Chicago Program Locator section of the web site to find contact information for more than 200 different tutoring and/or mentoring programs serving the Chicago region.  Individual programs are able to add and edit their own organizational information on the site.

Number of youth served: 75-80
Ages of youth served: 13-19 (grades 7 to 12 plus alumni)
Neighborhood(s) served: Cabrini Green (zip 60610 and 60622)
 

Cabrini Green Tutoring Program
2145 N Halsted
Chicago, IL 60614
 
Contact person name and number:
Jill Heller, Director of Fundraising
(312) 397-9119
Jillh58@aol.com

Brief program description:  Mission is to help economically disadvantaged students succeed in elementary school and beyond.  We advance this mission by pairing students with volunteer adult tutors and by providing educational and life skill resources.

Number of youth served: 201
Ages of youth served: 6 - 12
Neighborhood(s) served: Cabrini Green neighborhood and surrounding community

Centro Comunitario Juan Diego
8812 S. Commercial Avenue
Chicago, IL 60617

Contact person name and number:
Francisco Ramos, Development Director
(773)731-0109 x 22
http://www.ccjuandiego.org/

Brief program description: The program serves youth 11 to 18 and helps them break the isolation of the neighborhood, expose them to individuals with different visions of the world, and help them grow a commitment to academic growth and community service.  The program meets at the Center three times per week from 4 to 7 p.m.

Number of youth served:  50
Ages of youth served: 11 - 18
Neighborhood(s) served: South Chicago

Chicago Youth Programs
5350 S. Prairie
Chicago, IL 60615

(773)924-0220
www.chicagoyouthprograms.org

Contact information:
Herman Verner, III (Cabrini Green) 
cabrinigreen@youthprograms.org

Dannica Williams(Uptown)
uptown@chicagoyouth.org

Monique Cook-Bey (Washington Park)
washingtonpark@chicagoyouth.org

Brief program description:  Chicago Youth Programs  provides a mix of academic tutoring and mentoring to students in grades 1 through 9 twice a week in three locations, Cabrini Green, Washington Park, and Uptown. CYP stresses the importance of academics and exposes youth to campus culture.

Number of youth served: 269
Ages of youth served: 6-14

Christopher House
2507 N Greenview Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

Circle Urban Ministries
118 N Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644

Contact person name and number:
Dan Hogan
Mentoring@circleurban.org
(773) 921-1446
http://www.circleurban.org/

Brief program description: Faith-based mentoring program serving young people in the Austin community on Chicago’s west side.  One-to-one mentoring meets for an hour per week to build a friendship aimed at ensuring each young person’s resilience and success.

Number of youth served: 18 currently matched, seeking to make at least 45 new matches during this school year
Ages of youth served: 4th – 12th grade
Neighborhood(s) served: Austin Neighborhood

Cluster Tutoring
5460 W Augusta Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60651

Contact person name and number:
Kathryn McCabe
(773) 378-5530

Brief program description: Non-profit, community-based organization that provides free one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to students from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.  Tutors are volunteers from Oak Park and other Chicago suburbs who work to improve students’ academic performance and to build relationships that overcome the boundaries of age, race and socioeconomic background.

Number of youth served: 65
Ages of youth served: k - 12
Neighborhood(s) served: Austin

The DIME - Demands Intelligence through Mentoring and Education - Child Foundation
2929 S. Wabash, Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60616
www.dimechild.org

Contact name and number:
Jennifer Blackman
(312)528-0700, ext. 203
jblackman@dimechild.org

Brief program description:  DIME Child provides educational services and resources to at-risk youth that will ensure them hope of a promising future. DIME offers a mixture of academic (tutoring) and mentoring through an ongoing relationship with a caring adult mentor, tutor or coach to students ages 14 - 18 in the Bronzeville, Grand Boulevard, Englewood and West Pullman communities.

Number of youth served: 50
Ages of youth served: 14-18

Erie Neighborhood House
1701 W Superior St
Chicago, IL 60622

Brief program description: Community Tutoring offers one-on-one tutoring sessions with trained volunteers.  Work with children, ages 5 – 18. Work with families in the North of Howard community of Rogers Park.  Evening sessions, Monday through Thursday, take place at Family Matters. Tutoring targeting third graders (TGRO) takes place afternoons Tuesdays through Thursdy at Gale Academy.  Specialized reading tutoring available for struggling readers. Wee Read, a storytime program, visit preK classrooms once a week also.

Number of youth served: 86
Ages of youth served: pre K - 12
Neighborhood(s) served: Rogers Park, Chicago

Hermosa Community Organization
2105 N. Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60639

Brief program description: Mentees work one-on-one with mentors, participating in self-development workshops, recreational activities, tutoring and cultural events.  Sessions occur at least twice a month, though facilities are open twice a week and weekends as well.  The mentoring program offers structured activities to help with schoolwork, reading practice, arts and crafts, open gym and monthly group outings.  A spring theatric performance is showcased though the theatre productions club.

Number of youth served: 45
Ages of youth served: 6 - 17
Neighborhood(s) served: Hermosa Community

Horizons for Youth
703 W Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60661

Contact person name and number:
Audrey George, Executive Director
audrey@horizons-for-youth.org
(312) 627-9031
http://horizons-for-youth.org/

Brief program description: Committed to helping children recognize and achieve their full potential.  Horizons provide elementary school students with long-term, comprehensive programs including scholarships, one-on-one mentoring, tutoring, counseling, summer camp and a summer academic program.

Number of youth served: 108
Ages of youth served: 5 - 13
Neighborhood(s) served: Children living in Chicago

Inspired Youth, Inc.
5715 North Ridge
Chicago, IL 60660

Brief program description: Inspired Youth serves over a 100 low income children and youth of Uptown/Edgewater through a tutoring program, a children’s choir and a summer piano program.

Number of youth served: 110
Ages of youth served: 2 - 18
Neighborhood(s) served: Low income minority children in Chicago’s Uptown/Edgewater neighborhoods

Jewish Child and Family Services
216 W. Jackson
Suite 800
Chicago, IL
 
Contact person name and number:
Audrie Berman
audrieberman@jcfs.org
(312) 673-3213
http://www.jcfs.org/

Brief program description: Volunteer mentors are matched with children living in JCFS foster care of group homes whose life experiences have taught them to be wary of trusting adults.  These caring and committed adults provided children with positive, healthy and fun experiences.  Children and teens ages 6 to 21 have the opportunity to spend time with a positive role model, receive consistent encouragement and experience cultural and recreational activities in the community each month.

Number of youth served: 25
Ages of youth served: 6 - 21
Neighborhood(s) served: foster children in Chicago and surrounding suburbs

Latino Education Alliance
UIC
SCE Rm. 604, M/C 041
750 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Contact person name and number:
Ms. Bertha Magana
bmagana@latinoeducationalalliance.org
(312) 413-4013
http://www.latinoeducationalliance.org/

Brief program description: This is a new program. The start-up Sophomore Tutor/Mentor Program will be implemented to address the academic needs of freshman students who have failed one or two courses thus preventing them from moving to the next grade level and struggling sophomores.  Skill building will be a critical intervention.  The program will be based on a peer-to-peer mentoring model.

Number of youth served: 50
Ages of youth served: 14 - 18
Neighborhood(s) served: West Humboldt Park/Hermosa & Pilsen

Life Directions
414 S. Homan
2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60624

Contact person name and number:
Van Bensett, Interim Director
van@lifedirections.org
(773) 663-7597
http://www.lifedirections.org/

Brief program description: a peer mentoring program to assist grade school students successful transition into high school, graduate high school and pursue higher education or enter into a career.

Number of youth served: 100
Ages of youth served: 13 - 35
Neighborhood(s) served: North Lawndale, South Lawndale, East Garfield Park and Humboldt Park

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program, Inc.
840-842 17th Avenue
P.O. Box 65
Maywood, IL 60153

Contact person name and number:
Barbara D. Cole
(708) 344-3577
bdowecole@sbcglobal.net

Brief program description: Operates Saturday male and female mentoring programs in local facilities (libraries etc.) Volunteers are also recruited to operate tutoring programs in local churches.

McGaw YMCA Project SOAR
1000 Grove St.
Evanston, IL 60201

Contact person name and number:
Mary Jon Girard
maryjong@mcgawymca.org
(847) 475-7400 s 221
http://www.mcgawymca.org/

Brief program description: SOAR stands for “Serving Our Adolescents Responsibly.”  Project Soar is a one-on-one mentoring program that has been administered by the McGaw YMCA since the fall of 1990.  Youth are referred to the program through a school social worker, other human services professional, or a parent or guardian.

Number of youth served: 76
Ages of youth served: 9 – 14
Neighborhood(s) served: Evanston, IL

Midtown Educational Foundation (MEF)
718 South Loomis Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Contact person name and number:
Glenn Wilke, Executive Director
cgibson@midtown-metro.org / adiaz@midtown-metro.org
(312)226-4886 ext 232 / (772)292-2662
http://www.midtown-metro.org/

Brief program description: Helps at-risk youth ages eight through twelve to develop the positive study habits and character traits needed for future academic and professional success through one-on-one tutoring/mentoring. Together these student tutor pairs work on homework and weekly academic and personal goals.  Students also participate in sports and extracurricular activities in technology and the arts.

Number of youth served: 238 during academic year; 159 during summer
Ages of youth served: 8 - 18
Neighborhood(s) served: Chicago’s disadvantaged communities

Minds Matter
www.mindsmatter.org/chapter_chicago.asp

Contact name and number:
Jamil Hossain
(630)306-6925
Jamil.hossain@gmail.com

Brief program description:  Minds Matter provides a mix of academic tutoring and mentoring by helping high school students achieve academic excellence and expand educational horizons. Tutor/mentors help students with college preparation by navigating the financial aid process, improving grades and developing goals.

Number of youth served: 21
Ages of youth served: 15 - 18

The Partnership to Educate & Advance Kids (PEAK)
559 West Diversey Parkway
#353
Chicago, IL

Contact person name and number:
Toinette M. Gunn, Executive Director
toi@peakchicago.org
(773) 975-6540
http://www.peakchicago.org/
Brief program description: PEAK provides opportunities for at-risk youth to achieve academic and personal success through a quality, values-based education and the guidance of caring adult mentors.

Number of youth served: 62
Ages of youth served: 14 - 18
Neighborhood(s) served: various west and southside neighborhoods (i.e.: United Center, Lawndale and Little Village)

Scholarship Chicago
333 West Wacker Drive – 29th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606

Contact person name and number:
Karen G. Foley
karen.foley@nuveen.com
(312)917-8119
http://www.scholarshipchicago.org/

Brief program description: 5-year system of support built upon a 3-Tier mentoring approach that helps students navigate successfully their college journey beginning in their senior year of high school through college graduation.

Number of youth served: 203
Ages of youth served: Work with underserved, college bound teens including high-need, low-income, first in their families to attend college, underrepresented minorities and young people with disabilities.

Sunlight African Community Center
4554 North Broadway, Suite 226
Chicago, IL 60640

Contact person name and number:
Paul Howard
Paul@fhstowell.com
(708) 436-5484
http://www.sunlightafricancommunitycenter.org/

Brief program description: Created in response to the needs of African immigrant youth and children in all aspects of community development and personal empowerment.  SACC provides a safe, educational, social, cultural and recreational haven for children away from the temptations of a troubled neighborhood.

Number of youth served: 30
Ages of youth served: 6 - 13
Neighborhood(s) served: Children of African immigrants in the low-income neighborhoods of Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Park.

Umoja Student Development Corporation
2935 West Polk Street
Room 116
Chicago, IL 60612

Contact person name and number:
Lila Leff
lleff@umojacorporation.org
(773) 433-0815
http://umojacorporation.org/

Brief program description: Umoja offers a range of tutoring/mentoring programs that serve more than 200 freshmen through seniors at Manley High School as well as Manley graduates who are enrolled in college.  Literacy and self expression are at the core of all Umoja’s tutoring and mentoring programs, with a focus on helping young people develop the ability and drive to succeed academically and to know and use their voices to improve their own lives and the life of their community.

Number of youth served: 240
Ages of youth served: 14 - 25
Neighborhood(s) served: North Lawndale