However, the chart above shows that while parents, educators, tutor/mentor programs and others are "PUSHING" youth to careers, we need industry to "PULL", using their employee-volunteers, their jobs, their technology, and their dollars.  We need "scorecards" that show which businesses, faith groups, hospitals and universities are doing better than others in distributing their help into neighborhoods where they do business, or get tax breaks, or draw workers. We need to be able to visit business web sites and learn what they are doing to help youth to careers, and how others can duplicate successful efforts in one location to help youth and families in other locations.

HOW DO WE MAKE THIS  HAPPEN?
What are all the things that need to happen to make a TQM environment available in every poverty neighborhood of every city?  What do we know already. Where are affinity groups meeting to discuss the needs, the solutions and actions individuals and organizations might take. Click into the Backward Mapping chart and see how T/MC is creating a worksheet, or blueprint, that might help any stakeholder find ideas and collaborators.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS A LEADER MIGHT TAKE?
While organizations can not fund every charity, or operate more than a few programs, there are simple steps leaders can take to lead the mobilization of volunteers and resources for comprehensive mentoring-to-career programs.

WHO WILL  HELP?
One day visitors to this web site will be able to click into each section on the chart shown on this page, or the TQM chart shown on other pages, and find links to libraries of information that help youth move from one level to the next, and then to careers.  

By using the T/MC's Program Locator, visitors are able to search a database by several sort categories, such as type of program, age group served, time of day, and zip code to find programs in specific areas, or to learn if such programs are available in certain areas.  With help from business and foundations, the T/MC hopes to create a GIS service that would enable visitors to click onto the map and find links to programs in each neighborhood, as well as tables that show the demographics of the neighborhood, the indications that children need extra help (like schools on probation, poverty rates, crime rates, etc.).  

The chart will help people find resources to learn from, build networks, expand capacity, and give  help. The map will help stakeholders connect with others in the same neighborhood or other neighborhood, and will provide a measure of accountability for ourselves and our leaders.  If we all think tutor/mentor programs are important, our map should show that we have programs in neighborhoods where kids need  help.  If there is no "dot" on the map showing an existing program, we are failing to provide this service to the youth and families in that neighborhood.  If we think technology access is important, then we should also be able to look at a  map showing where access is available and where it is not available. In a similar manner, when our State or Chicago Board of education puts schools on a watch list, or probation list, we should be able to find a  map that shows where these schools are located, and provides contact links so those who would want to help that school, or that neighborhood, can find ways to connect and give help. They should also be able to find libraries of best practice so that when they give help they are not reinventing the wheel, but drawing from existing knowledge of what works.

WHAT PROGRESS HAVE WE MADE?
Visit the links in the sidebar and judge for yourself. We have a library of programs, a growing capacity to produce maps that show where programs are located and who else in an area could be helping. We have a growing library of links to research and promising practices. This web site and www.tutormentorconnection.org demonstrates a growing ability to organize this information into categories and "hubs". The www.tutormentorconference.bigstep.com demonstrates a growing ability to get people together from time to time to share their knowledge and build connections with each other. 

However, what you see also demonstrates a need for more help and more sophistication in each area.  That's where you come in.  Volunteer your time, your dollars, your talent to help. Visit the Discussions link and  join one of the groups working to build capacity. Read about the Tutor/Mentor Learning Network and help us locate HUBS who are already building libraries of knowledge and trying to build public participation in sharing, learning and applying this knowledge in more places and with more skill.  Add your organization as a link to the resource pages. Send us an email and offer ways we can work together to build this network of knowledge.  Add a link to this site from your own web site. 

Help us make this vision a reality.

Without an investment by innovators who want to assure that No Child in America Gets Left Behind because of poverty, poorly performing schools or an inadequate adult support system, the T/MC cannot maintain it's database, this web site and it's innovations.  Email tutormentor2@earthlink.net if you'd like to become a sponsor or donor.