T/MC FALL Leadership & Networking Conference

October 30, 2008
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cassina Sanders
312/492-9614
www.tutormentorconnection.org
cassinaz.cabrini@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EXPANDING COMMUNITY NETWORKS OF SUPPORT FOR YOUTH THROUGH VOLUNTEER BASED TUTORING AND MENTORING PROGRAMS
**A one day networking and information sharing conference that helps participants draw volunteers and financial support to tutor/mentor programs operating neighborhoods with high poverty, poorly performing schools, and high drop out rates.**

November 21
Hosted by The Chicago Field Museum

Chicago – Education researchers are beginning to look at the community supports that help some inner-city schools perform better than others and volunteer-based tutoring/mentoring programs are recognized because of the way they connect youth in a highly segregated, low-income neighborhoods with a range of adults and experiences beyond that neighborhood.

The annual Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference focuses attention on volunteer based tutor/mentor programs as an important strategy for education reform, violence reduction and workforce development. The conference is a place to connect many different public and private sector organizations that are engaging volunteers in organized learning, mentoring and tutoring programs. Workshops and panels will share strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers, building public awareness and raising money, as well as evaluation and program improvement.

Among the speakers will be representatives of The Chicago Field Museum, and leaders of volunteer based tutor/mentor programs such as The Bridge Youth & Volunteer Services, Your Way Outreach Community Services, Alternatives, Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley. According to conference coordinator Nicole White, “the conference is bringing together program leaders from around the Chicago region, and we hope to attract representatives from businesses and churches who are responsible for encouraging volunteerism in their organizations.

The entire conference agenda and roster of speakers can be found at http://www.tutormentorconfernce.org.
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For an entire day of workshops and networking participants are charged a $60 registration feel prior to the day of the event. Walk-ins will be charged $75 at the door. Scholarships and Group Rates are available upon request

IMAGES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Please call Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection or visit the center website at www.tutormentorconnection.org for more information during the school year.

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The Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) is a program of Cabrini Connections dedicated to improving the availability and quality of comprehensive, long-term, volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs in high-poverty areas of the Chicago region and other large U.S. cities through an ongoing, dynamic exchange of ideas. The Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) first held the conference in 1994 after a survey of Chicago area programs revealed that more than half had little or no contact with other programs. Based on positive response from the first conference, T/MC decided to host a second conference in the same year, which attracted nearly 200 attendees. For more information about Tutor/Mentor Connection, visit http://tutormentorconnection.org.

Cabrini Connections is a one-on-one tutoring and mentoring program serving 7th through 12th grade students living in Chicago's Cabrini-Green public housing project. Each student is matched with a volunteer tutor/mentor that they meet with weekly at our site. In addition, students are invited to participate in special activities and after-school clubs. To find out more about Cabrini Connections or Tutor/Mentor Connection, visit http://www.cabriniconnections.net.


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