This web site is where we share our own ideas, through a variety of illustrated presentations, which have been developed over 35 years of leading a single tutor/mentor program, and thinking of ways such programs could be better supported in all the places they need to operate.

These ideas focus on what an ideal tutor/mentor program might look like, and what industry and philanthropy leaders, and individuals from all parts of the country, need to to to help such programs be in all places where they are needed. We call this the Tutor/Mentor Institute because we aim to constantly learn new ways to do this work, and we aim to teach others to adopt these ideas in their own leadership.

From this site we also point to several other web sites where we provide links to more than 2,000 other web sites, and host forums where people can gather to network, share ideas or work directly with youth. This strategy map illustrates how these ideas all relate to each other.

We hope you will read these, share them with people in your own networks, and use them in actions that help tutor/mentor programs grow in Chicago and other cities. We also hope you'll help us improve these, and write new articles that we have not yet even thought of. If you would like to tell us how your are using these, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your comments.

New: See library of Tutor/Mentor essays at Scribd.com

Definition of Problem - Why and Where Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Programs are Most Needed

1. Tutor/Mentor Connection Network of Purpose - Why and where tutor/mentor programs are needed, and how we support the growth of volunteer based programs in high poverty neighborhoods (updated 10/11)
2. Tutor/Mentor, Same Words, Different Meaning - defining the terms - understand the difference between tutoring and mentoring (updated 8/11)
   
3. Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-Part Strategy-Essay;   Tutor/Mentor Connection strategy map (flash animation)
4. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Connection
5. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Program – We’re all in the TO WORK Business
6. Education to Careers Blueprint shows support youth require from first grade through first job (updated 11/2011)
7. Think of Tutor/Mentor Programs as retail store delivering needed services in a neighborhood
8. Could this be a Jobs Creating strategy to help overcome current unemployment, not just build future workers.
9. TinyURLLinks to sites referred to often in our blogs, newsletters, etc. This will be updated regularly

Understanding Availability and Distribution of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Programs in Chicago

1. Using Internet to find resources that help support growth of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs - T/MC On-line Resources (updated 11/2011) - and webinar version
2. Planning Cycle - War On  Poverty pdf (added5/2012)
3. No General would go to a war without a map - Understanding T/MC use of maps; updated 11/2011
4. Use of maps and data to show where tutor/mentor programs are most needed, added 6/2013
   
5. Use of maps by elected leaders. Example: Illinois 7th Congressional District (updated 11/2011)
6. Use of maps: Example, Illinois 14th Senate District.
7. Mapping high dropout schools and political districts as strategy for mobilizing votes (added 12/7/2011)
8. Instructions for using Tutor/Mentor Program Locator web site
9. Guide to using Program Locator to create and publish your own maps (updated 11/2011)
10. Help collect and organize information about tutor/mentor programs in Chicago area
11. Intern, volunteer opportunity - Rest Of The Story PDF (added 11/2011)

Case for Strategic Business Investment and Employee Involvement

1. The Tutor/Mentor Connection Logic Model
2. Tutor/Mentor Connection’s Theory of Change
   
3. Tipping Points
4. Value Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute offer to business and Non-Profits (NEW1_2012)
5. What will it take to assure that all youth now living in poverty are entering careers by age 25? A Workforce Development Strategy
6. Tutor/Mentor Connection – Case for Business Involvement
7. The T/M Connection - a Retail Business Model
   

Leadership Strategies

1. Role of Leaders
2. Role of consultants and talent volunteers in building network capacity
3. Network Building - Unleashing Personal Power (added 4/5/2011)
   
4. Tutor/Mentor Hospital Connection
5. Model of Business Leadership Team for Tutor/Mentor Connection - Suggested Strategy
6. University Connection PDF
7. Tutor/Mentor Lawyers Connection-Concept
8. Strategy for Faith Leaders PDF
9. Students as Leaders, PDF
10. Network Building Role, PDF added 4/09
11. Tutor/Mentor Connection Quarterly Events. Creating year round visibility. Flash. Created 2/2010 by IIT interns
12. Role of many leaders - version 1 (flash)Created 2/2010 by IIT interns
13. Role of many leaders, version 2 (flash). Created 2/2010 by IIT interns
14. Role of leaders flash presentation (created by students from Indiana University)
15. Collective Effort PDF for May 2011 conference

Collaboration and Capacity Building

1. Tutoring/Mentoring as a form of Service-Learning updated 11/11
   See flash animation view of service-learning loop
2. Creating a Network of Purpose – The Tutor/Mentor Connection - roles students could take
   
3. Role of Tutor/Mentor Connection, and Intermediaries, in a Community Building Strategy
4. Collaboration Goals
5. Animated concept map illustrating how we hope to reduce silos of thinking and encourage greater sharing of ideas and collaboration across sector.
6. Year Round Event Cycle - PDF ESSAY /  Video Version of this idea. updated 11/11
7. Tutor/Mentor Leadership e-Conference – Introduction and Overview
8. Understanding needs of tutor/mentor program: summary of 2000-2003 survey data
9. Business School Connection Vision (wiki)
10. Understanding Tutor/Mentor Connection Network - Social Network Analysis Goals
11. Students as leaders. A service learning backward map.

Volunteer Recruitment Strategies

1. How sports, media and arts celebrities can help mobilize volunteers - Make the Connection
2. How volunteers become leaders in tutor/mentor programs (flash)
3. Strategic thinking about volunteering and service2011 (new 2011)
   
4. Recruiting Talent and Pro Bono Volunteers for volunteer-based organizations (update 2012)
   
5. Volunteer Recruitment Ad to be used by business leaders to mobilize volunteers
6. Chicagoland Tutor/Mentor Back to School Volunteer Recruitment Campaign
7. Using Corporate and Faith Based Advertising to Mobilize Volunteers and Donors

How to Start and Sustain a Volunteer Based Tutor/Mentor Program

1. Steps for Starting and Building a new Tutor/Mentor Program
2. Operating Principles
3. Annual Planning Calendar - way to engage youth, volunteers, stakeholders in mission of program
4. Success Steps - plan for career-focused tutor/mentor program
5. Volunteer Recruitment Strategies

1. Growth and expansion (wiki) of the Tutor/Mentor Institute and Tutor/mentor Connection
2. Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC and Tutor/Mentor Connection - A Learning Network Strategy
3. Network Building Strategy developed over past 20 years - added 2012
4. Using ideas to stimulate competitive innovation and increase flow of resources - added 2012

5. Tutor/Mentor Connection – About us 2-page pdf

6. Introduction to Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC network building  - added 2012
7. Blueprint of Tutor/Mentor Connection Knowledge Network(flash presentation)
8. Origin of Tutor/Mentor Connection in 1993 and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC in 2011
   
9. Cabrini Story: The Tutor/Mentor Business, Sara Caldwell, 1997

Building greater understanding of Tutor/Mentor Connection
These are PDF versions of graphics created between 1995 and 2005 to illustrate T/MC ideas. Up till July 2011 these have not been published  on-line.

1.  Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-part strategy - PDF  1995 version

2.  Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-part strategy, 2012

How do We Evaluate Impact?

1. Read the pdf essays titled Theory of Change, Logic Model, Tipping Points (see above, Case for Business Involvement)
2. This report shows the growth of the Tutor/Mentor Connection since 1993.
3. Decade of Challenges: 2000-2010. Read blog articles showing what T/MC  has achieved and challenges we've faced. View PDF report of 2000-2010
4. View Chart of T/MC Goals and Strategy
5. Improvement of T/MC - recommendations from DePaul students
6. View Metrics Chart - Concept Map
7. View Organizational History and Tracking System (OHATS) articles
   This page shows people/organizations who helped T/MC grow from 1993-2002
8. Comparison of T/MC to Mentoring Partnerships in other Cities & States
9. Matrix showing comparison of T/MC to other Mentoring Partnerships (draft)

Research and Recommended Reading

1. Articles on High School Drop Out, No Child Left Behind, etc.
2. Rest of the Story - PR strategy/Intern opportunity
3. How School-Community Partnership Contribute to Widespread Volunteer Mentoring with Youth: A Study of Environmental Change in Three Communities, by Stergios Tsai Roussos
4. Children, Computers and Reading Skills, prof. Edna Aphek, Jerusalem, Israel
5. Adolescent Literacy: What Works and Why, by Garland Publishing,The Center for Early Adolescence, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This 1988 report featured the Montgomery Ward/Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program, which was led by Dan Bassill from 1975-1992. The lessons learned from this program are a foundation for Tutor/Mentor Institute ideas.
6. DePaul University Freshman Explore Chicago Class Assignment, 2010
7. ChicagoBooth 2011 Grad Student review & recommendations

Presentations from past Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conferences

1. Introduction to Tutor/Mentor Connection, Jan 5, 2012 introduction to Rotary Club members in Chicago
2. Building Support - Strategies of Tutor/Mentor Connection, Oct. 4,2011  Loyola University
3. Introduction to Tutor/Mentor Connection,  Drop Out Prevention Conference workshop, 10/10/2011
4. Tutor/Mentor Connection, April 8, 2010 presentation in Lafayette County, IN
5. Tutor/Mentor Networking Conference Presentation, May 26, 2006 – Successfully Transforming Teens to Career
6. Lawyers Lend A Hand 2005 strategy presentation - http://www.tutormentorexchange.net/images/PDF/corboy-presentation2.pdf
7. T/MC Introduction to Pathways Into Health Conference, September 14, 2007
8. Sharing Knowledge and Bridging Gaps: Children Teaching Children Computer Skills / Theoretical Background, by Prof. Edna Aphek
9. Use of Maps Presentation at Wired.org event