CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
https://www.cps.edu/
This is the Chicago Public Schools web site. It is the central on-line resource for the entire public education system in Chicago. Any parent, tutor, mentor or stakeholder should browse its sections and become familiar with what it has to offer.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL LOCATOR - MAPS
https://schoolinfo.cps.edu/schoollocator/index.html?overlay=tier
This link points to the Chicago Public Schools locator map, created in 2016. The model for this was this site: http://cpstiers.opencityapps.org/

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS - DATA MAPS AND ATTENTION ON ISSUES
https://cpsapples2apples.com/
This site is named "Apples to Apples in Chicago Public Schools" and is "Using Data to Increase Parent Engagement in the District",  Check out the maps and stories.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DATA - ANNUAL REGIONAL ANALYSIS REPORTS
https://www.cps.edu/about/district-data/
Chicago Public Schools is divided into 16 regions. At this link you can find a details analysis of schools in each region (in pdf format). Spend time learning this information and use it in helping build support systems that assure all kids succeed in school.

CPSuccess - POSITIVE STORIES OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
https://cpsuccess.tumblr.com/
This site is hosted on Tumblr, and is an aggregation of photo stories showing positive activities in Chicago Public Schools.  Started in 2013. Browse the site. 

CRADLES TO CRAYONS - DONATED SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CLOTHES, ETC
https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/what-we-do/
From the web site: "Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. We supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need."  Locations in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. 

ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WEB SITE - NEWS PAGE
https://www.isbe.net/Pages/News-and-Media.aspx
From the web site: " The Office of Communications shares important ISBE developments and is the main point of contact for all media inquiries. This page includes ISBE’s recent press releases and an archive of releases from past years.  ?For social media updates, “like” Illinois State Board of Education on Facebook and follow ISBE on Twitter.?"

OPEN BOOKS - SUPPORTS CHICAGO AREA CHILDREN AND YOUTH
https://www.open-books.org/programs/
From the web site: "Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for tens of thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and the creative capitalization of books. Through our Instructional Programs, we cultivate the literacy skills of thousands of children and youth each year, from those who need intervention to those who desire enrichment. Through our Book Programs, we provide readers of all ages with engaging, appropriate, and high-quality books. Each week, we deliver thousands of books to schools and nonprofits across Chicagoland."

RAISE YOUR HAND FOR ILLINOIS - FOCUSES ON QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN
https://www.ilraiseyourhand.org/
From the web site: "WE ARE a grassroots coalition of parents and concerned citizens who advocate for quality public education for all children.  We formed in 2010 to advance an agenda of education funding equity across the state."

TEACH FOR AMERICA - CHICAGO CHAPTER
https://www.teachforamerica.org/where-we-work/greater-chicago-northwest-indiana
From the web site: "Teach For America - Chicago-Northwest Indiana encompasses both Illinois and Indiana and includes a diverse set of communities.  We train and develop educators (corps members) so that they have an immediate positive impact on their students. We foster the leadership of our alumni as they address this problem from all sectors."

CITY OF CHICAGO WEBSITE
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en.html
This is the main City of Chicago web site.

CHICAGO AREA PROJECT
https://www.chicagoareaproject.org/about-cap/
The Chicago Area Project (CAP is a private, not-for-profit organization with a distinguished history and demonstrable track record of over sixty years of work in delinquency prevention and service in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. The original mission of CAP has not changed since its inception: To work toward the prevention and eradication of juvenile delinquency through the development and support of affiliated local community self-help efforts, in communities where the need is greatest.

CHICAGO CITY COUNCIL WARDS WITH INTERACTIVE MAP
https://chicago.councilmatic.org/council-members/
This site provide information about Chicago City Council, what it does, who it's members are, etc.  The link I've pointed to includes a map that shows where each Ward is located in the city, along with who the Alderman is.

CHICAGO CITYSCAPE - MAKES NEIGHBORHOOD, PROPERTY, AND CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT DATA AVAILABLE TO ALL
https://www.chicagocityscape.com/index.php
From the web site: "Chicago Cityscape was founded in 2014 to simplify finding building projects and the individuals and businesses who make them using the city's open and extensive neighborhood development datasets." 

CHICAGO FORWARD - JUNE 2020 MAYORS TASK FORCE REPORT
click here
This is Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2020 plan to move Chicago Forward, creating greater opportunity for all Black and Brown communities.  See the report in this Chicago Block Club article and find link to the report on Scribd.com https://www.scribd.com/document/468588104/Chicago-Recovery-Task-Force-report

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES GROUP
https://www.cnigroup.org/
From the web site: "Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives revitalizes underserved and distressed urban neighborhoods like Pullman, Bronzeville, and Englewood. CNI leverages resources through place-based strategies to drive economic activity and transform these communities into places where more people want to live, work, recreate and do business."

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS 2015 - PLANNING AREAS MAP
http://cn2015.net/
From the web site: "Chicago Neighborhoods 2015: Assets, Plans and Trends is a research project by The Chicago Community Trust which focuses on Chicago’s built environment—infrastructure, natural features, and physical and institutional assets that define and influence the city’s musculature. The project looks at the entirety of the city, providing data and other pertinent contextual information for every section, identifying major recent investments, mapping assets, and synthesizing ideas from plans current and past that might inform development.."  Click on the map and visit pages showing maps and planning for different parts of Chicago. 

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT - STRATEGIC PLAN
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/about-us/strategic-plan/
Chicago has a variety of parks and recreation centers in all parts of Chicago. Visit the web site to locate parks near you, and to see what programs are available to children, youth and adults. This link points to a page where you can download a PDF of the strategic plan for the park district. 

CHICAGO'S OPEN GRID DATA PLATFORM - EXPLORE AND USE
http://opengrid.io/
From the web site: "OpenGrid can be deployed to enable real-time situational awareness and let your organization access historical events through a simple map-based interface. It is an excellent, low-cost business intelligence tool for governments, non-profits, and corporations. Pair OpenGrid with the open-source, NoSQL MongoDB database behind your firewall for an even more powerful, secure program."

CITIZENS POLICE DATA PROJECT (CHICAGO) - WORK OF INVISIBLE INSTITUTE
https://cpdp.co/
From the web site: "Citizens Police Data Project collects and publishes information about police misconduct in Chicago" using map based platform to help users understand patterns in different parts of Chicago.

CITY OF CHICAGO OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL - INFORMATION PORTAL
https://informationportal.igchicago.org/
From the website: "The OIG Information Portal is a data visualization tool that allows users to analyze City of Chicago data. Currently, the dashboard contains over 100 ways to visualize city data related to the City's budget, employees, and police department."

FREEDOM HOME ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL - AFRIKAN CENTERED PRIVATE SCHOOL IN CHICAGO
https://www.fhaintl.net/index.html
This unique school is located on the far South side of Chicago. It concentrates on reading, mathematics, focus geography, health and cultural enrichment and offers French, Kiswahili, Tai Chi, science, biology and more in a home school environment.  There is a significant tuition fee.  Browse the website to learn more. 

INTERMEDIARY ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING YOUTH IN CHICAGO
http://tinyurl.com/ChicagoYouthNetworks
This concept map shows a wide range of organizations who serve in intermediary roles, helping a network of direct service organizations, serve youth in the Chicago area and Illinois. At the bottom of each node on the map is a small box that will open to a link that you click to go to the organization's web site. This is updated regularly, so if you know of intermediaries who should be included (or removed) please use the "contact us" button on this web site to provide that information.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHICAGO
https://www.jlchicago.org/
A metropolitan organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

LADDER UP - TAX AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
https://www.goladderup.org/
From the web site: "Ladder Up provides hardworking people with the financial resources and opportunities they need to move up the economic ladder.  Ladder Up provides free financial programs to help clients secure the tax refunds they deserve, gain the knowledge to navigate today’s complex financial systems, and obtain financial aid to make college dreams a reality."

NATIONAL BLACK WALL STREET CHICAGO
http://www.nationalblackwallstreetchicago.org/
From the web site: "National Black Wall Street Chicago, (NBWSC) NFP is organized for the community welfare in general, with emphasis placed on identifying, collecting, disseminating, publicizing and preserving information and materials related to any/all aspects of consumer education and consumer action, which supports capacity building and entrepreneurial ship, building credit, gaining access to capital and other activities necessary to create, sustain and increase black business."

INSPIRATION CORPORATION – HELPS PEOPLE AFFECTED BY HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY
https://www.inspirationcorp.org/about/
From the website: “Inspiration Corporation helps people who are affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency through the provision of social services, employment training and placement, and housing.

UIC GREAT CITIES NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE
https://greatcities.uic.edu/uic-neighborhoods-initiative/
The UIC Neighborhoods Initiative (UICNI) is a flagship program of the Great Cities Institute.

Chicago Government, Chicago Schools, Chicago Faith Based and Misc Chicago NPOs Resource
Links Section of the Tutor/Mentor Library.

In 1993 the Tutor/mentor Connection was created with a goal of building a library of resources that
people could use to support non-school tutor, mentor and learning programs.  We published our list in
a printed Directory until 2003, and begin to put it on line in 1998. This section of the library includes
links to Chicago government, Chicago schools, Chicago faith based youth serving orgs, and Non-Profit
organizations that don't fit any other category.   The site where this information has been hosted
is now only available as an archive.

The first Directory was published in 1994. A new, updated
Directory was published every year until 2003. At
this link you can view 1995 Directory.

The links below are sub-categories in this section of the library. 
These lists are not intended to included ALL Chicago resources.

Almost every other section of the library also points to
many Chicago based organizations. 

If you find broken links send information to tutormentor 2 at earthlink.net

City of Chicago government & misc NPO links - click here

Chicago schools links - click here

AD COUNCIL - RESOURCES NON PROFITS CAN USE
https://www.adcouncil.org/our-story/our-history
From the web site: "The Ad Council produces, distributes and promotes campaigns that improve everyday lives. Our memorable work inspires ongoing dialogue, engagement and action around significant public issues, creating a measurable difference in society."

AN OVERVIEW OF SOCIAL MEDIA RESEARCH TOOLS - 2019
click here
From the blog: "Twitter and other social media platforms represent a large and largely untapped resource for social data and evidence. In this post, Wasim Ahmed updates his recurring series on the Impact Blog, to bring you the latest developments in digital methods and methodologies for researching Twitter and other social media platforms."

ARTISTS AND WRITERS AROUND THE WORLD MOBILIZING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
https://agamagenda.com/when-is-now-mobilizing-artists-and-writers-around-the-world-for-climate-action/
This campaign is called "When is Now" and is a project of The Agam Agenda, which is a project of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (https://icsc.ngo/).  

CAUSE MARKETING TRENDS 2021 - ARTICLE
https://www.dontpaniclondon.com/cause-marketing-trends-2021/
This is useful article showing 2020 cause marketing examples and what marketers can learn from them in 2021.  Submitted to the library by a company called "Don't Panic". 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM FOR YOUR BUSINESS (2018)
https://aofund.org/resource/choosing-right-social-media-platform-your-business/
If you're using social media to build attention for your business or organization the tips in this blog article can be useful. 

CREATING PASSIONATE USERS – BLOG
https://headrush.typepad.com/
This blog contains some great advice for all of us who want to motivate kids to become learners who maximize their potential in life.  While we all feel we have something to say, our challenge is presenting our ideas in ways that motivate people to find and learn from our ideas, then put them to work in their lives.  This site is useful for anyone thinking about this.

DESIGN GOOD BLOG
https://designgood.com/blog
From the web site: "At DesignGood, we’re all about helping you and your business not only succeed, but thrive. We help you reach your business goals by setting you apart and allowing you and your unique offering to shine.  We’re 110% devoted to working collaboratively toward the development of your brand and your voice.'  The blog includes articles that any business or non-profit might learn from. 

EDELMAN TRUST BAROMETER - OPINION SHIFTS SHAPING THE WORLD
https://www.edelman.com/trust/2020-trust-barometer
From the website: "Edelman Trust Management is a suite of powerful, flexible analytical tools and consulting services that help a business or organization best manage its trust capital among its audiences, stakeholders and shareholders.  Over the last 19 years, the Edelman Trust Barometer has detected and documented some of the largest opinion shifts shaping the world. We have observed that the state and dynamic of trust in institutions was in many ways predictive of larger societal, economic and political changes to come.

GETTING ATTENTION FOR YOUR IDEAS - FROM KIDS OR ADULTS
https://www.middleweb.com/36205/were-not-the-only-ones-who-want-kids-attention/
This is an article posted on the Middleweb blog. While it is aimed at educating kids to be consumers of information, the information is a valuable primer on advertising and communications for the 2017 and forward years. Anyone could use these ideas.

HARNESSING THE POWER OF NARRATIVE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
https://www.newtactics.org/conversation/change-story-harnessing-power-narrative-social-change
This site shares a conversation where participants " learn more about story-based strategy and how to integrate it into campaign planning." 

MAKING YOUR STRATEGY STICK - CREATING AND EMBEDDING YOUR STORY
https://www.anecdote.com/about-us/
This organization, based in Australia, provides a large number of thoughtful stories on its web site, related to collaboration, knowledge management, complexity, etc.  This link points to a page that shows what they do. 

MAXIMIZING SOCIAL IMPACT USING TWITTER
click here
This slide show was a presentation at the 7/7/15 ChicagoHackNight event, by Rachael Perrotta @plussone . Lots of great low/no cost ideas that tutor/mentor orgs could apply. 

PUBLIC NARRATIVE (WAS COMMUNITY MEDIA WORKSHOP)
https://publicnarrative.org/about/
It is essential that tutor/mentor programs have effective and on-going communications programs. This not only includes getting the media involved, but includes getting local churches, businesses and civic networks involved, as well as learning to communicate effectively to your students, volunteers, parents, local schools and your donor base. The Public Narrative trainings are an excellent Chicago resource to help programs build these skills. 

TEAM ROLES NEEDED FOR SOCIAL SOFTWARE PROJECTS
https://www.personalinfocloud.com/blog/2016/6/20/team-roles-needed-for-social-software-projects
This blog has quite a few articles that can expand the understanding of challenges and opportunities from using technology for communications, collaboration and problem solving.

TEN REASONS WHY WE NEED SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM
click here
This blog article is from the Solutions Journalism Network site. They "train and connect journalists to cover what's missing in today's news: How people are responding to problems."  This link points to an article showing 10 reasons why we need solutions journalism.  It's an important strategy. 

TERRORBULL GAMES - INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY
https://www.terrorbullgames.co.uk/about/manifesto.php
Read the Manifesto on this site and see how humor, satire and gaming are used to focus attention on social issues. T/MC note:  This type of gaming could help draw volunteer, donor and youth attention to the information we host on web sites like this, and help them understand and act on it.

THE COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE
https://www.comminit.com/communicating_children/content/overview-communication-initiative
Mission described at "To convene the communication and media development, social and behavioral change community for more effective local, national, and international development action".   Look at the activities as they are described on this link. In many ways this organization's goals are similar to those of the Tutor/Mentor Connection, although with a much broader focus and much better funding.

THE OPED PROJECT - HOW TO PITCH YOUR STORY
https://www.theopedproject.org/
From the web site: "The OpEd Project is a social venture founded to increase the range of voices and quality of ideas we hear in the world.  Our starting goal is to increase the number of women thought leaders contributing to key commentary forums—which feed all other media, and drive thought leadership across all industries—to a tipping point.  We envision a world in which the best ideas—regardless of where or whom they come from—will have a chance to be heard and shape society and the world." 

THE POYNTER INSTITUTE - SCHOOL FOR JOURNALIST
https://www.poynter.org/about/
The Poynter Institute is a school for journalists, future journalists, and teachers of journalists. Read the Blogs and find useful tips on how to tell the story of your organization, and how to work with media.

UNDERSTANDING DYNAMICS OF PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKS - 2008 SLIDESHARE PDF
https://www.slideshare.net/urbanlabs/understanding-p2p-presentation
This is a PDF presentation on Slideshare, focused on understanding networks. It used a range of visualizations.  If you're building a network-based strategy and looking for ways to generate income, this can be useful information.  While it was created in 2008 the ideas are still valuable.

USING DATA TO TELL STORIES
https://datasparkri.org/
From the web site: "DataSpark was founded to connect data and people, with the goal to inform, empower and inspire innovative decision-making. For over 25 years, we have been assisting policymakers in state and local governments, community leaders in nonprofits, and academic researchers across the country with their analytical needs. DataSpark, which began as part of a non-profit organization became a program unit of the University of Rhode Island (URI) Libraries in 2017."

VISUAL MAP OF SOCIAL MEDIA UNIVERSE - 2017
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visual-map-social-media-universe/
This infographic comes from Brian Solis and JESS3, and it visualizes the massive social media universe of 2017.