Why Mentor? Does this Apply in Illinois?

Below is a video created by the Mass Mentoring Partnership, which I'm connected to on Linkedin. The speakers are all from Massachusetts, but the message applies to Illinois and every other state.



I've never had the resources, or found the local leadership, to be able to create a video like this. However, I have generated dozens of media stories and videos that talk about volunteer-based mentoring/tutoring and which point to a map-based Tutor/Mentor Program Locator Directory, that intends to draw volunteers and donors to constantly improving tutor/mentor programs in every high poverty part of the city.



As new groups step forward to draw attention to mentoring and the needs of youth in Illinois, many will develop their own directories, and their own list of programs. Some will have greater access to business and political leaders and philanthropic support, so may be able to create videos like this with Illinois leaders as speakers.

However, as they do this, I hope they will also point to the Strategy Maps, Tutor/Mentor Program Locator, the Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference, and the library of ideas and resources that I've been building for nearly 20 years.

Illinois needs many leaders creating daily advertising and public involvement communications so that the number of people involved with mentoring grows, the resources available to individual programs grows, and the support continues to be provided for the next decade or more.