FOCUS on Mentoring in Crain's Chicago Business

I was contacted a few weeks ago by Shia Kapos, who was researching a story on Mentoring for Crain's Chicago Business. I'm pleased to see that the March 17th issues has a FOCUS on Mentoring. I encourage you to read these stories and be informed, and inspired.

How Chicago execs are transforming schools — and students, too - click here

The view from Brad Keywell's window turned an investor into an activist - click here

Veteran Mentors Share Tips and Perspectives - click here

From Mentee to Mentor. One CEO's Journey - click here

What you don't see in these stories is any of the information I provided when I talked to Shia, or from the web links I sent here. I talked about how I've been trying to collect and aggregate information on tutor/mentor programs reaching youth in the non-school hours, and to create maps that show where these programs are located and where more are needed. I told her that I've never had the funds to do this as well as it needs to be done, nor to try to understand the distribution of school based mentoring.

Yet I did invite her to look at the maps and write about what businesses could do to support the growth of mentor-rich programs in all parts of the Chicago region. This is THE REST OF THE STORY.

I encourage you to visit this section of the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC web site to read how maps can be used to support the growth of mentor-rich programs, and to see graphics that illustrate the long-term support needed to help young people go from elementary school through high school and college into jobs and careers.

Visit the Program Locator to create your own maps and build a strategy that supports tutor/mentor programs around places where you do business.

Big companies support multiple stores with central office strategies, and with long-term commitments. A business publication like Crain's would be an ideal partner to talk about business strategies that would help volunteers from different companies connect with youth in many well organized programs throughout the city, which are good because they are supported by on-going flows of business talent, dollars and technology.

This is a deeper story than just the heart-warming stories of a few people connecting with a few kids. This is more than a sound-byte. It takes time to read, reflect, think, and innovate ways that the business community can do more than the good work it is already doing to reach more kids in more places with mentor-rich strategies.

Thank you Crain's Chicago Business for posting these stories. Please use your editorials and on-going media ownership to lead an effort to tell the REST OF the STORY, over and over.