Time for Change...

In the wake of what is sure to be the most historical presidential election of our time, we need to hear what Senator Obama is saying with his campaign slogans geared around change and deviating away from the normal way of thinking. Just because something hasn't been done before, doesn't mean it's the incorrect solution to the problem.

We're entering our fourth week at Cabrini Connections and seeing a lot of the building and interaction that goes on on tutoring nights really put what we do here in perspective for me. I've been her a little over six months but before I worked late only on Monday nights (Art Club night) so I didn't get to see a lot of the bonding, or interact with a large group of our children. It's enough to make you emotional to see the next generation fellowship with a new face who cares about his/her upliftment and growth. If I didn't work here, I would want to get involved on a mentor level or get involved in general to make sure the warm fuzzy feelings continue to blossom.

This is why we feel it pertinent for people to come out and see what we do. We don't ask people to write a blind check because it's "for the kids." I was driving home from the market last week and there was a boy approximately 14-15 years old in the middle of the road, pacing back and forth with a sign that stated, "Please Save Our Kids" and a cup for drivers' loose change. At first, I wanted to toss money into the cup. But then I thought about it... what kids? What organization are you representing? What is your mission? What do you do? It's not enough to tell people, "our kids NEED your help." Millions of children everywhere need help in one form or the other. We want to SHOW you why you should give to us.

The CEO and I write heartfelt letters and proposals about everything this program stands for, encompasses and does and back that with the crux of everything: the facts, our numbers, and our success. We invite you to come to our headquarters on a tutoring night and see the impact we are having with students and professionals across Chicago. Seeing is believing. And believing is what dreams are built on. Come check us out.



Here are some things going on for the next couple weeks that you can come witness for yourself.

Halloween Essay Contest
Our student's are participating in a Halloween essay contest. The essay has to be one page on the history of Halloween and their best Halloween experience ever. The contest ends on Oct 16th. The best six writers will be chosen to perform their essay with their peers, volunteers, and staff, on October 28th and 29th. We will also be having a Halloween party on both those days. The six winners will get to enjoy a frightening trip to a haunted house on Friday, October 31. Won't you be our guest on the 29th and 30th for a ghoulishly good time!?

Go Clubs!
We have an enrichment activity for our kids every night of the week. Tutoring nights, held on Wednesday and Thursday nights are the best nights to come to get the FULL experience of what we do here, but if you can't make it on one of those, we also have Monday night Art Club and Tuesday night Tech Club for you to see what insightful and innovative things we do here daily. Our next Pulitzer winners come out on Wednesday night before tutoring for Writing Club.

Martini MADNESS!
Cabrini Connections’ 3rd Annual Martini Madness is scheduled for October 17th, just barely a week away! So far we have more than 100 people with affirmative RSVPs and we are so excited about that. You too can be in attendance to come out and meet our many volunteers, our staff and board of directors, along with many other networks, businesses, and organizations who are excited to support our program by way of this event. It is a 21+ event and we often throw these sorts of soirees for, not only the fundraising aspect but to also involve our volunteers on an adult level to remind them that we can play as hard as we work. Come out and support Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection through your attendance donation or an event sponsorship and help us tell our story by going to the water cooler on Monday and saying what a great time you had and sharing with your coworkers, boss, family what we do in our communities. For quicker entry and access pay in advance and RSVP for this event.


FUNdraising for Quarters
Come out and witness healthy competition amongst our volunteers. We are proud to announce that Mr. Allen (AJ) Tyson (Tutor/Mentor for student Sean Mayfield) is leading all volunteers. AJ submitted $100 to Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection last week thereby being the first volunteer to put forth effort in our friendly in-house competition where a volunteer will win a prize each quarter for being the leading FUNdraiser. AJ we appreciate your enthusiasm for this contest and passion for what we do here. You've been around a long time, dedicated to us and we thank you for your commitment. Hopefully your donation entry will put some fire under the bellies of our other volunteers so this can be our best fundraising year to date!

If you would like to come in for a site visit, please call me at 312-492-9614. We'd be delighted to have you... and we're sure you'll see things differently about the opportunities for our youth after visiting our facility. Change the way you see our future, become a supporter of tutor/mentor programs.