VOLUNTEER WITH TUTOR/MENTOR CONNECTION! > Tutor/Mentor Connection

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Tuesday, August 22, 2006

VOLUNTEER WITH TUTOR/MENTOR CONNECTION!
By nsbyrer @ 4:51 PM :: 398 Views

Volunteers are the engine that powers the Tutor/Mentor Connection, Cabrini Connections and hundreds of other tutor/mentor programs. They serve as tutors and mentors, leaders, and provide the tech support for hosting web sites like this. Here's a letter from one volunteer showing why she supports Cabrini Connections.

Dear Family and Friends,I continue to be involved with Cabrini Connections (http://www.cabriniconnections.net ) as a volunteer, tutor, and secretary/board member. I feel privileged to work with the organization's leaders and the many volunteers who generously give of their time, effort and resources to tutor and mentor each week. I am still working with my student from last year, Darrius, who constantly surprises me. He impresses me in his ability to learn and retain the words I have taught him in our conversations or games of Scrabble, kick my butt in chess, and still be the same outgoing and social student that I met last year. He has also taught Scot a few lessons along the way, which you can feel free to ask Scot about. I am also more challenged by his homework assignments (does anyone really remember adverbs), and sometimes frustrated with the lack of guidance and help he receives at school. This source of frustration is why I feel that the work we do with these students each week is so important. I know there are some homework assignments that would not be completed if tutors weren't involved. Also, I am continuing to work with implementing our Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Our GIS is used as a marketing and strategic planning tool to help every tutor/mentor program in the Chicago region get volunteers and dollars. one example, is to show a company where they are located in the Chicago area, and include demographic information such as levels of poverty and tutor/mentor program locations. Our goal is for the company to see how they can influence what happens in the neighborhoods that they have a vested interest in. We have a number of volunteers helping us in this endeavor. There are many ways you can help the organization and I am willing to talk with anyone about donating your time and energy should you choose to do so. We operate all of our programs with a full-time staff of only two people. We rely heavily on our volunteers and new ones are always welcome. However, we are not able to accomplish all these events and programs without funds, which is why I am asking for your financial support. While we have been able to continue with our programs this past year, it has not been easy. We have not been able to replace a couple of staff positions that became vacate during the past year. Please give this some serious thought. Your contribution would constitute an important investment to help needy youth grow and prosper. You can make your check payable to Cabrini Connections. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support, Julie Hamilton, Volunteer tutor/mentor and Director Cabrini Connections Tutor/Mentor Connection800 W. HuronChicago, Il. 60622

Note: Volunteers like Julie are part of many Tutor/Mentor Programs in Chicago and in other cities. In the Discussion Forum we've set up a section for Volunteers to talk to each other and to share their own experiences about how participation in a tutor/mentor programs has helped change their life, and the life of a child. Please contribute stories to this forum, and provide the name and address of the tutor/mentor program where you volunteer.