Chicago, IL (MMD Newswire) October 26, 2009 -- "This is the time to look in our collective mirror and ask whether we like what we see or whether we can do better together." .. Arne Duncan
WHAT: This semi-annual conference brings together non-profit leaders that operate volunteer-based tutoring and mentoring programs, with leaders from business, health, legal, and media communities. It shares ways volunteer-based tutoring and mentoring programs can help at-risk youth navigate the challenges of their neighborhoods while also preparing for college and careers in the 21st century. This conference focuses on actions that volunteers, leaders and individual citizens can take on a year-round basis to make mentor-rich programs more available to youth in neighborhoods with too much poverty, and too many poorly performing schools. A special emphasis will be placed on network building, technology, and how social media can help programs, volunteers, students, donors and business partners connect with each other in collective learning and program building. Please visit www.tutormentorconference.org/agenda.asp for the conference program.
WHO: Leaders from Chicago area tutoring and mentoring programs such as Erie Neighborhood House, Chicago Lights at Fourth Presbyterian Church, East Village Youth Program, Family Matters, Working in the Schools, and leaders from more distant programs, such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley and the International Telementor Program will attend. So will representatives from the academic community such as De Paul University and the Kellogg Center for Non-Profit Management.
Highlights include special presentations showing how non profits can use Social Media and Social Network Analysis concepts to build networks of support for youth, volunteers and programs. In an economy where many non profits are struggling to find financial support, these strategies can open new streams of support for single organizations, and for citywide networks of programs.
WHEN: Thursday and Friday, November 19 and 20, 2009. Registration both mornings is from 8-9am.
WHERE: Norris University Center at Northwestern University, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
WHY: Media reports highlight the negative impact of poverty and violence on inner city kids and learning. Leaders are looking for solutions to complex problems. This conference brings together people and organizations who are already "in the trenches" working to help youth stay in school, graduate from high school, go to college or a vocational school, and be in school or be starting a career by the age of 25. While research shows that "At-risk youth in tutoring and mentoring programs are also less likely to drop out of school, become pregnant, become addicted to drugs, join gangs, or end up in jail" this conference focuses on strategies and actions that make tutor/mentor programs more available in all neighborhoods where they are needed.
About Tutor/Mentor Connection
This conference has been organized by the Tutor/Mentor Connection every six months since May 1994. It is part of a year-round strategy aimed to help volunteer-based tutoring/mentoring programs reach more youth in high poverty neighborhoods of Chicago and other cities. The Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) was formed in 1993 by Cabrini Connections, a comprehensive, volunteer-based, one-on-one tutoring/mentoring program serving teens in the Cabrini-Green area of Chicago. The leaders of Cabrini Connections realized that for their own program to get the continuous resources needed to impact youth and volunteers, the city would need an infrastructure and leadership strategy helping all poverty neighborhoods have tutor/mentor programs. The T/MC was created as a resource for such leadership. For more information, please visit www.tutormentorconnection.org
About the Tutor/Mentor Conference
As part of this effort to support tutoring and mentoring programs, the Tutor/Mentor Connection started the semi-annual Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference in 1994. In the past, prominent keynote speakers and attendees have included then-State Senator and now-president Barack Obama, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Paul Vallas. For more information, or to register, please visit www.tutormentorconference.org.
Scholarships and group discounts are available.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Daniel F. Bassill
President, Tutor/Mentor Connection
312-492-9614
tutormentor2@earthlink.net
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