Thank you for your 2009 support. Now on to 2010

2009 Cabrini Connections Holiday Party from Bradley Troast on Vimeo.

Look at the smiles on the faces of the teens and volunteers at the December holiday party. Look at the diversity of adults and kids in the room. How many places in Chicago does this type of connection take place on a weekly basis?

It has happened at Cabrini Connections every year since 1993 because many people and organizations have contributed time and dollars. You can see some of our 2009 donors in these past articles.

This decade was a difficult decade. It started when we lost our original sponsor, and host, the Montgomery Ward Corporation. This was were the tutoring program started in 1965 and where Dan Bassill and many of our leaders learned how to operate a tutor/mentor program. Wards was giving free space, utilities and many services, plus $40,000 or more each year. Since we moved from their in 1999 we've had to pay over $70,000 each year for rent, utilities and building management, just to say close to our teens in Cabrini Green.

The rest of the decade only got worse, financially, that is. The bust of the Dot-com economy, the 9/11 attacks, the earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, and then the meltdown of the last two years have made it extremely difficult to find the dollars needed each year. While we were raising nearly $500,000 in 2000, we've raised an average of about $375,000 each year since, and part of that had to pay for rent and utilities.

Without the help of many volunteers who took on coordinator roles, and many others who've sought out donations, and many who sent financial support, we would not still be here going into 2010.

Yet we are, and we've many smiles and many stories that show how we've helped kids and volunteers connect at Cabrini Connections, while we've also help tutor/mentor programs grow in all parts of t he Chicago region.

We thank everyone who has pitched in to help. We hope that you'll continue to support us as we move into 2010 and the next decade.

Thank you and happy new year.

Soldier Field Charity Hill event - thanks to all!

A great group of people ran up and down a sledding hill near Soldier Field on Sunday to get some great exercise, and raise money for Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection.

Julie and Scot Hamilton brought some friends and went up and down that hill at least 30 times each. Julie has been a volunteer, board member, fund raiser, and even a staff member, in the 13 years since she first became involved while a graduate student at Northern Illinois University.

Brandy Kimminau, a second year volunteer, also ran the hill. My son Jacob, age 12, went up a few times. I watched and cheered. This shows that there are many ways to support Cabrini Connections.

The event was organized by Matt Ulrich, and the TWR Organization (Train with Ron Personal Trainers). Most of the runners were people who train with Ron. We hope we've raised some needed money and we hope a few of these people will begin a journey of involvement, just as Julie, Scot, Brandy and Jacob have.

These journeys can last many years, and lead to many new experiences and relationships that enrich the lives of youth, and the adults who become involved as volunteers.

Thank you all for giving your time, energy and dollars.

If you'd like to support on-going events, go to the Cabrini Connections donor page, or GiveForward.org page.

Many are stepping forward to help

I encourage you to read the article El Da'Sheon Nix wrote about scoring a last second touchdown to win a football game. That's a "hail Mary" pass, and we need to score some big points to stay in the tutor/mentor game.

We've already had some people step forward with ideas for raising new funds, and we've had several people make donations as a response. Here's the list of people who have sent donations since yesterday.

Jacqueline Shay
Tami Wielgus
Karen and Kevin Lobdell
Peter Quigley
Cara Smith
Alexandria Hill
Amy Proger
Nicole Sutton
Gita Rao, former lead coordinator, and now in NYC
Carla Reyes
Matt Cohlmia

And there's more!

Friends and family of Nicole White and Nick Infusino continue to donate to support their run in the Chicago Marathon http://www.firstgiving.com/nicolewhite3

Friends and family of Mike Trakan continue to donate to Mike's Map-A-Thon.

Our landlord has agreed to cut our rent in half for the next four months! That's a savings of $2500 a month!

Thank you all! Watch this blog for more "Hail Mary" news.

Remember, this is not the beginning of the end. It is the beginning of a new beginning.

Can you help?

I posted a story on the Tutor/Mentor Blog this morning that I hope you'll read, and pass on to others.

One way you can help, is to be a sponsor of Nicole White and Nick Infusino, as they run the Chicago Marathon and raise money for Cabrini Connections. Read more.

I hope that you can make your own donation, but more importantly, I hope you'll encourage people in your own network to become investors in our mission.

One $5,000 donation at a time

After the July 16th Golf Benefit I wrote how it would take donations of $5,000 each from many different sources to keep the bills paid each month as we struggle with this terrible economy.

This week we've received the first of those donations, a $5,336.70 contribution from Whole Foods Market, which was the result of the bag recycling program run at five Chicago stores from April through June 2009. Every time a customer brought in their own bag for groceries, they could designate a 10-cent donation to Cabrini Connections! Thank you Whole Foods Market and your customers!

We've also continued to receive donations from veteran volunteers. Gita Rao, who was administrative coordinator from 1999 through 2001 send a donation of $300 from her father with a note saying, "My parents are in the U.S. for the summer and wanted to send something to Cabrini Connections before they headed off to Bangalore."

We've also received donations this week from:

Rachel Dziallo, former volunteer who has just moved to Austin, Texas
Lan Eng and Dan Bassill made donations via Facebook Causes

These donations are greatly appreciated and much needed. Please help us find our next $5000 donation. Help us find donations from friends, family, former students and from veteran volunteers.

Thank you Whole Foods Market!

American Imaging Management becomes Eagle Sponsor of July 16 Golf Benefit

Good news! American Imaging Management has become an Eagle Sponsor ($2,500) for the Jimmy Biggs Memorial Cabrini Connections Golf Benefit on July 16, 2009.

Read about how volunteers from American Imaging Management did a service project with Cabrini Connections in April 2009. We hope that our bonds with this company and its associates continues to grow!



See the complete list of golf players and sponsors

Celebrate history of Cabrini Connections

This video was created by students and volunteers of Cabrini Connections, a volunteer-based tutor/mentor program serving 7th to 12th grade teens living in the Cabrini Green area of Chicago.



I hope you'll enjoy this, and see how the work of thousands of volunteers and youth over more than 40 years have led to the program we operate today, and the way we support the growth of similar programs throughout the Chicago region, through the Tutor/Mentor Connection.

If you can make a donation, or become a sponsor, please become part of the village who help raise these children.

Cabrini Conenctions Recognizes Mike Kolberg

“The theme for National Volunteer Week, commemorated April 19-25, is "Celebrating People in Action." The theme captures the meaning behind this signature week – honoring the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities.”


Continuing with "Celebrating People in Action" at Cabrini Connections this week, I would like to recognize 2nd year volunteer Mike Kolberg. Mike Kolberg started here at Cabrini Connections on Arpril 3, 2008 and has been making his mark on the program every since. Mike is currently matched up with Cabrini Connections' student standout, Savon Clark, and they have truly been a perfect pair from the start.

During the summer at Cabrini Connections, students and volunteers have the opportunity to utilize the program space and all program resources to continue on the positive track, and Mike and Savon took advantage of that opportunity nearly every week of last year's summer. Mike Kolberg assisted Savon with his algebra in an attempt to be prepared for the upcoming school year.

Mike, has also taken an active role in our fundraising efforts by simply supporting the work of students and by attending nearly all of our major fundraising events. Mr. Kolberg most recently attended Cabrini Connections' Art and Film Festival that took place on April 4th and purchased not only some student produced art work, Mike also purchased the This is What I Know dvd that was created by the students from the IYP Club.

Mike has and continues to be a standout volunteer in the Cabrini Connections' program and continues to find ways to assist in our fundraising efforts, as we continue to work towards provided the necessary services for the youth and volunteers that participate in the program.

For these reasons, I would definitely like to recognize Mike Kolberg!

National Volunteer Week: Fundraising

“The theme for National Volunteer Week, commemorated April 19-25, is "Celebrating People in Action." The theme captures the meaning behind this signature week – honoring the individuals who dedicate themselves to taking action and solving problems in their communities.”

I would like to take the time out now to recognize several of the Cabrini Connections' volunteers who have been actively assisting the program in with their fundraising efforts. At the start of the 2008-2009 tutoring/mentoring year we launched the FUNdraising for Quarters Competition where volunteers in the program began working towards obtaining financial contributions by spreading the word of Cabrini Connections and all that we try to do within the program. And as a result of the volunteers' effort they are recognized in the newsletters, in our blogs, and at the end of each quarter the volunteer who brought in the most in donations receives a prize. And the GRAND prize for the volunteer who brings in the most in donations for the entire academic year will receive 2 round-trip airline tickets to any where in the U.S.

We are proud to say that many of our volunteers have stepped up throughout the year with their fundraising efforts, but there are 3 volunteers that I would like to recognize now. First year tutor/mentor John Knight has thought outside the box with his fundraising by putting together a fundraising event of his own, where all of the proceeds went to the Cabrini Connections' program. John hosted an event at Krem nightclub in December, and as a result of Mr. Knight's efforts the Cabrini Connections' program received a little over $1200. and Mr. Knight is currently in 3rd place in the FUNdraising for Quarter's competition in relations to the GRAND prize.

Another volunteer that I would like to recognize, and who is currently in 2nd place, is Mary Catherine Nelson. M.C. was able to solidify the Cabrini Connections' organization as the beneficiary of her company's holiday giving during the month of December. Several students accompanied a staff to M.C.'s place of business to promote the program and to tell the employees why their funds are needed for programs such as Cabrini Connections. As a result of M.C. Nelson and this opportunity during the holiday season, Cabrini Connections' received $1,630.

Lastly, I would like to recognize the current leader in the FUNdraising for Quarters competition and that is non other than veteran volunteer, Allen "AJ" Tyson. Mr. Tyson has been using his extensive knowledge of the Cabrini Connections program and his overall understanding of the importance of program such as our to get people in his network to support the program. AJ has been working with his student in our program for a couple years and they continue to build a strong, lifelong relationship. As mentioned, AJ is in first place in the FUNdraising for Quarters competition and has brought in a total of $1825!!!

Thanks so much John, M.C., AJ, and all of the other volunteers who have contributed to our fundraising efforts. Without you, there is not us! Keep up the great work of spreading the word and bringing in those needed dollars!

Arts and Video Festival Connects Students and Volunteers with the world

Last Saturday evening the Cabrini Connections Art and Video Festival drew together more than 100 friends, volunteers, students, parents and supporters of Cabrini Connections.

Some were people we've not seen in a while, like Claudia Crilly Bellucci, who was one of the first people on staff at Cabrini Connections in 1993. She was a volunteer from the early 1980s. We've now connected on Facebook, and through Claudia's network we're re-connecting with others who were part of Cabrini Connections in the past.

Others were family members. I was surprised to see one of my wife's cousins who attended the event because another family member, Lisa Hung, spread the news about the Festival to the family network.

Another family member was El Da'Sheon Nix's Mom, who came in from Ohio for the week. She was really a "MOM" in the way she took charge of food and beverages and cleanup at the end of the event.

In addition, several of the parents came to see the new documentary video, title This Is What I know: Our Lives, Our Truths, Our Stores, and see the art that their kids had been working on. You can see part of the video, and other videos, http://www.cabriniconnections.net/video.

We don't know how much money was raised from selling art, or from donations, but while the bidding was going on, El Da'Sheon was in touch, by cell phone, with one of his buddies on the Pittsburg Steelers, who was bidding on the 2009 Art Club Mural.

This just shows how our event in Chicago was connecting our kids and volunteers with the world. If you take on a role of network building, you can help us build connections with people in your own network. Some will use our ideas to help build tutor/mentor programs in their own communities. Some may become tutors/mentors with us, or with other programs. Hopefully some will become benefactors, making long-term donations that assure that we can continue to offer Cabrini Connections to students and volunteers for many years to come.

You can send donations to Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection, 800 W. Huron, Chicago, Il. 60642 or you can use this form to make an on-line donation.

Stimulus Package for Cabrini Connections and similar programs

As our elected leaders are debating how to spend $800 billion, I want to encourage you all to read El Da'Sheon's Blog about TEAMWORK.

While El Da' Sheon uses a sports apology to talk about the roles many people need to take to help kids in poverty connect with tutors/mentors who help them through school and into jobs, I sometimes use a military anology.

I wrote about the graphic above in an article last summer. It shows how generals use maps to determine where the enemy has strength, and how this triggers a planning process that not only distributes troops to where the enemy is located, but builds a supply chain to make sure our troops are well fed, have good weapons and training, and are replaced by others after one year on the job.

The infantry on the front lines of a tutor/mentor program are the men and women who volunteer time to be here each week working with our kids. However, without a sophisticated support system, or supply chain, these volunteers, and our students, will not have the on-going support they need for many years to go from 7th grade through 12th grade then through college or vocational school to the point that our volunteers can help them find job interviews .... IF they are still connected.



We use maps to illustrate that Cabrini Connections is just one program in a huge city where hundreds of programs like Cabrini Connections need to be supported by well trained staff and well equipped facilities.

In this graphic the red dot represents the members of the team that El Da'Sheon is writing about. Every day you can pass on messages to the people in your network that tell them how important it is to support volunteer based organizations, and how they can provide big and small donations, to help Cabrini Connections and other programs do this work.

If you think of this in contest of the Stimulus Package in Congress, support for a program like Cabrini Connections keeps people employed, builds future workers and reduces the costs of poverty, and can create new jobs if additional money can be found to pay for the extra people Cabrini Connections and hundreds of other programs need to support the troops in existing programs, or to create new programs where more are needed.



One painless way to build this support is to create a workplace fund raising campaign in your company or organization, or to select a tutor/mentor program like Cabrini Connections if you already have such a campaign.

In workplace fund raising your contribution comes out of your pay check each week. Thus, if you pledge $1 dollar (still less than coffee at Starbucks!) that weekly contribution adds up to $52 dollars at the end of the year. If one thousand people do this, that is serious support that can help us stay in business and innovate new ways to influence what kids do.

This is a group activity, but it takes each of us to be the CHANGE, or the leader, who says "if it is to be, it is up to me."

Help us find this stimulus for tutor/mentor programs.

Donate now at http://www.cabriniconnections.net/donate/donate_online.asp

Students Give Feedback

During Jaunary students of Cabrini Connections recorded messages for their volunteers. You can see these at the home page of our web site.

I hope you will view these and see how important tutoring/mentoring and Cabrini Connections are to these teens and that you will send a donation to support our efforts.

Visit http://www.cabriniconnections.net/donate to learn more of how you can help.

Who is in your network?

This is a graphic created on Facebook, showing people who are connected to me and Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection.

The pink area represents fraternity brothers from the Acacia chapter at Illinois Wesleyan, who have made donations totaling more than $60,000 since 1992. Some have been volunteers who helped us launch this organization. Some have been tutors.

The blue area represents volunteers who have been tutors and mentors, and staff. Many have roots at Northwestern University and so that shows as a part of my network. On our NU Ning page we're trying to build a network of Northwestern support for tutoring/mentoring.

Just above the blue section are photos of several of our alumni who have connected with us on Facebook. We want to see this section grow because we need to support our alumni where they live and where they are now raising their own kids and we need them to support what we're doing to help them and other kids living in inner city Chicago.

The green section to the left represents people in Chicago who are part of other tutor/mentor programs, or part of knowledge networks who we are connecting via our web sites with each other, and with the kids and volunteers at Cabrini Connections. You can even see two of my nieces in the light blue section just above the green area.

These represent just a few of the thousands of people that I've connected to Cabrini Connections and the Tutor/Mentor Connection since 1993 and who are providing time, talent and dollars to help us do our work.

As we head through 2009 and beyond, I encourage each volunteer, leader, student or friend to map their own network, and work with a purpose to share information that encourages members of these networks to provide the donations of time, talent and dollars we require to do this work.

While the economy is a disaster, there are millions of people who are still working and who are willing to make donations of $25 to $100 if asked. There are thousands of affluent people who still have millions of dollars in wealth, even if they have seen this wealth depleted in the past year. We had four donations of $30,000 to $59,000 in 2008 and can received more donations like this, if you reach through your networks to find these people.

When Obama says "it is up to us" I think he means that each of us needs to learn to mobilize our network into an army of support for social change and economic prosperity.

Who is in your network?

Sleigh Bells Ring! Cabrini's Listening.

Since volunteer recruitment time, we have really tried to utilize the resources in which we seldom looked as fundraising and development outlets. Now that recruitment time has subsided, we're fully staffed from a volunteer and child perspective, and the weather is starting to chill... we look toward the holidays.

As I work on hopefully our most successful holiday mailer ever, we realize we will be sending these out to several people who may be unemployed, or very fiscally challenged. To ask to be added to the Christmas list this year is a challenge and perhaps rude, but we still hold strong in the belief that every LITTLE BIT helps. Even a $15 donation is $15 more than we had before we cashed your check. Take it all in when you receive your mailer. We are asking you to think OUTSIDE of the sleigh (read: box).

Holiday Party, Anyone?
We are having our own holiday party and benefit concert December 12 at Schuba's which you are more than welcome to come to, but in these tough times, perhaps your company would be interested in gifting what it would cost to throw the holiday party to a certain charity like Cabrini Connections or donating half of what is normally spent on the party and cutting back some this year.

Volunteers Stepping Up to the Challenge
Our volunteers have really taken on a competitive edge to raise money for the program in FUNdraising for Quarters. Here are some of the fabulous things some of them are doing.

John Knight, is hosting an upscale party at KREM Friday, December 5, in which he negotiated that all of the proceeds go to the program. He is also gracious enough to let each volunteer who attends get a portion of their ticket counted toward the competition. See John and I at announcements Wednesday and Thursday for more details. In the meantime, SAVE THE DATE.

AJ Tyson is kicking butt and TAKING NAMES! He is leading the pack with $1,625 raised with $1,500 of that coming from word-of-mouth marketing techniques and getting people in his network to write checks on his behalf. EL Nix and I couldn't have been more excited to see the determination on the faces of so many volunteers to BEAT AJ. We were each approached by several of you saying you were going to TOP that. And we appreciate it and look forward to it!

Frances Kwee, who works for Motorola is looking into her companies GIVING PRACTICES and has offered to submit us as a possible charity this year.

One of our long-time supporters, Nick Infusino, is running a marathon and raising money through a http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif page and donating all the proceeds of his hard work to the program. Are you a running machine? Thinking about running your first 5K , 10K or marathon? Why not make it for our cause like Nick?

Alumnae volunteer, Courtland Maddock is nominating us as a charity of choice for the Kellogg Manager's Ball. A monetary donation is made to every charity chosen.

There are a plethora of things YOU can do too. Be inspired by one of your fellow volunteers who are doing everything they can THINK of and thinking of Cabrini Connections in the process.

As you decide what to do with your Christmas money, remember that their are thousands of at-risk youth across the city who could use a mentor, positive role model, and engaging activities in their lives. We provide that.


Please support Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection this holiday season.