Visit http://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com to view a map showing locations of organizations who participated in the May 29 and 30 conference which was held in Chicago. While the conference is over, the issues we focus on are not yet solved. There are not enough volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs in high poverty areas, and the infrastructure to support programs is weak. The map reinforces this and can is intended to encourage volunteers and donors to contact the various programs who participated in the conference to offer time, talent and dollars.

You can learn more about the May conference agenda at http://www.tutormentorconference.org/descriptions.asp .  You can browse the attendee list to see who registered, and to contact people  who you'd like to network with.  Hopefully this helps more people working to support tutoring/mentoring in different locations stay connected, and find ways to help each other.

We're now beginning to look forward to the August/September Volunteer Recruitment Campaign and a November networking event and conference.  If you would like to share information about your tutor/mentor strategy, or share expertise in fund raising, marketing, evaluation, collaboration, etc. use the presenter form on the conference site to submit your workshop proposal so you can be part of a future conference.

We have more than 1400 links on this web site, to people and organizations whose knowledge we value, and share so others can learn from you.  The conference is an oppportunity for some of these organizations to meet face-to-face, share what they do via workshops, and expand the network of people who work together to help kids move from poverty, through school, and into jobs and careers.  The conference is a grass roots, collaboration, of many different organizations who share the same ultimate goal.  We hope you'll make time to join us in online forums or upcoming events.

In 24 states voters cast ballots to determine who would be candidates for the next President. While that election won't be decided until November, you can vote today, tomorrow and every day, to make a difference in your community, by the way you get involved with non profit groups.  Today's Chicago SunTimes editorial says "Still Want to Make a Difference?" and gives five ways, including tutoring kids, where you can get involved.

The SunTimes editorial points to this web site, as a place to find volunteer opportunities.  Click on the Find A Program link and you can find links to web sites of more than 200 different organizations. Some have multiple sites. Some have great web sites. Some are small single sites.  They all need help from volunteers, and from donors. 

If you are overwhealmed by the information on this web site, start here, and learn how this can be a resource for not only finding a volunteer-opportunity, but for staying involved and making a difference in the lives of children throughout the Chicago region.

Not in Chicago?  The information on this site is valuable for volunteers, program leaders, donors and business leaders in every major city of the US where there are high concentrations of poverty.  If you don't have an agency like the Tutor/Mentor Connection, maintaining a database of local programs, then borrow our idea and build one.  If you need reasons why, then read the articles in the research section of this web site.  Want help?  Email the Tutor/Mentor Connection at tutormentor2@earthlink.net