Saturday, September 19, 2009

Access TV helps Mobilize Volunteers

In 1993 the Tutor/Mentor Connection began creating a master database of volunteer-based tutoring and/or mentoring programs. You can now find this information in an on-line program locator which is linked to Google maps so you can search by sections of the city to find what programs, if any, are in different zip codes.

Building this information, and producing advertising that draws volunteers and donors to tutor/mentor programs offers two different challenges. The T/MC has never had money to advertise, so we worked with media partners, such as Public Communications Inc, and Chicago Access TV, to help get stories to the media, and our information on TV.

We launched a Chicagoland Tutor/Mentor Volunteer Recruitment Campaign in August 1995, aiming to help programs get volunteers as school is starting, and Chicago Access TV became a partner, enabling us to post program listings on the TV42 bulletin board, and publishing the promotional video shown below on TV 27.



We need more partners like this, who every day will tell the story of tutoring and mentoring and one or more places in Chicago, and always show that good volunteering is supported by good funding. By pointing to the Chicago program locator with each story we can assure that all programs are getting the resources they need, on a more consistent basis.

Read more about funding needs of tutor/mentor programs on Nicole White's Blog.

Learn more about donating to Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection here.

1 comment:

bigD said...

Check out www.ProvideTutors.com. Its is a FREE listing website dedicated to connecting students in need of academic assistance to tutors.