Be a Tutor/Mentor

When: Tutor/mentors volunteer one night a week, either Wednesday or Thursday, from 6pm until 7:45pm. Tutoring runs from September through May.

Where: All volunteer/student pairs meet at our facility at 800 W. Huron in Chicago.

What we expect of you:

• Work with a teen for a minimum of one school year
• Choose a volunteer role that fits your schedule
• Inform your student and Cabrini Connections ahead of time when you cannot attend a session

Volunteers are supported by a team of staff and volunteer coordinators including veteran volunteers. Volunteers also enjoy social and networking opportunities.

Pick a volunteer role that fits your schedule

Each of the following volunteer roles will keep a regular continuity of the same few adults devoted to a single child. This is what makes mentoring effective. We encourage you to evaluate the time commitment you can reasonably make and then choose a role that best fits your schedule:

One-on-One - For the volunteer that can make a weekly commitment from September through May, with only one or two absences for business vacation or illness. You are matched with one student who we hope you will stay with for several years.

Two-on-Two - Similar to the One-on-One, except the volunteer joins along with another volunteer. This could be a spouse, co-worker, or friend. When one volunteer  cannot attend, the other volunteer works with both teens for that session. (If you choose this role, we encourage you to recruit a friend to join you at Cabrini Connections so you already have this partnership in place when you join.)

Two-on-One - For the volunteer that travels or cannot attend each week. Two or three volunteers team up to mentor one youth. Sometimes both volunteers attend the session, but usually only one can make it. This still keeps a regular continuity of the same one or two people with a single youth throughout the year. (This works best when you recruit a friend or co-worker.)

Substitute - For the person who wants to work with a youth but does not know what days he/she can attend. This volunteer shows up when they are able. They don’t call in advance and they don’t get called to fill a void. They just show up. Usually one or more of the other volunteers do not attend and there is a student waiting for a substitute. Some of our most dedicated volunteers started in this role.

If you'd like to join us, call 312-492-9614 or apply online.

Other Volunteer Opportunities: Hundreds of other tutor/mentor programs in Chicago also need help. If you want to volunteer in another neighborhood, or another age group, visit our Program Locator.