Mentoring Agencies

PALS Program: Many of the children and adolescents at Allendale Association have little or no contact with their families, and our Pals program provides them with the opportunity to develop a trusting, positive, one-on-one relationship with an adult. By spending time regularly with his or her Allendale Pal and serving as a visiting resource, a Volunteer Pal helps develop a young person’s self-esteem and social skills. As a Pal, you have great potential to make a significant impact on the life of a youth in need.

Professionals are matched with youth from Casa Central's Youth Options Unlimited Program. Mentors and youth will meet once each week for tutoring with the hope that this relationship will develop into a strong mentor-mentee connection.

Commit to building a long-term relationship with a foster child in need of a positive adult role model.  Provide support and fun to a child who closely matches your interests, background, and personality.  Mentoring can include tutoring, career exploration, life skills development, cultural or entertainment events.  The ultimate goal is to enhance the child's physical, intellectual and social growth.  Mentors must be willing to commit to a 9-month volunteer experience.  Mentors are asked to meet with the child at least twice per month, for a total of 6-10 hours per month.  All mentors receive training and ongoing support from paid agency staff to ensure the development of a healthy mentoring relationship.

Peer Mentor — Fostering Healthy Connections: Provide and participate in one-on-one and small group mentoring to youth currently in foster care, ages 10-16 who are in need of social-emotional and academic support as they transition to adulthood; The program asks for a 1-year commitment with flexible scheduling around monthly group outings and one-on-one meetings. Mentors should have their own transportation and the ability to pass a DCFS background check. Mentors must also have direct experience with the foster care system either as current or former foster care youth. Young adults between 17-26 are strongly preferred.

A Heartmates mentor makes a long-term commitment to spend time with a child. As a mentor, you share in a child's life by spending time with him/her during outings in the community such as trips to the zoo, ball games, parks, shopping, etc. A child is matched with a volunteer to spend quality time with them two or three times a month. Hephzibah's Mentors are:

1) Individual mentors-matched with one specific child.
2) Team mentor-floats working with all the children.
At first, all mentors volunteer on-site with the children and staff of Hephzibah. You learn the children's routine and staff expectations. You spend time with a child and engage her/him in activities such as; reading, helping with homework, playing games, art projects and computer activities. Staff will advise when it is appropriate for volunteers to take children on off-site activities. This will include such activities as: going to the library, having lunch, walking to get an ice cream cone or a cup of hot cocoa, biking, museums, ball games and other ideas that you want to bring to us!

The LifeLink Foster Care Mentoring Program is designed to create caring and structured relationships that bring young people together with role models. Mentors offer guidance, support, and encouragement aimed at developing the confidence and character of children. These intentional relationships are built upon trust and communication. Mentor relationships benefit youth from ages 8 to 18. Mentors spend 4 hours a week, or 16 hours a month, building meaningful relationships with youth. The LifeLink Mentoring Program supports youth while providing the space for children to develop their own sense of identity. Youth are exposed to cultural and educational opportunities, as well as career options to encourage and support their adjustment to adulthood.

Many of the children in Little City’s foster care and adoption programs lack a positive male or female role model. Through relationship building and modeling, mentors have the opportunity to encourage youth to make good choices, pushing them toward success. Become a mentor and be part of positive change in a young person’s life.

Here at LSSI, we have a unique program called Steps to Life. The program strives to empower youth to constructively build character, encourages positive life enrichment, and assists youth in developing skills for successful independent living. We meet these goals through interactive education sessions, field trips, retreats, and other activities. We meet for sessions once each week for two hours in Blue Island. Participants in this program are between the ages of 13-21. We are currently looking for individuals who are interested in volunteering to mentor our youth. We would be grateful for individuals or groups to participate in group discussions, lead workshops or participate in community outings with the group. This would be a great opportunity for our youth to engage people in the community and learn from their unique experiences. It is our belief that exposure to successful adults and the diverse social and cultural events ongoing throughout the Chicago area aids in the development of children, particularly adolescents.

Most SOS children have lived in five to seven foster homes before arriving at the Village. Their education has been disrupted many times. Tutors and mentors play a critical role with these youngsters. We try to have one volunteer for each of the 80-plus children in our Chicago and Lockport Villages. These dedicated volunteers forge stable, supportive relationships that help children grow into responsible, well-rounded adults. Tutors also can volunteer for group activities such as the Homework Lab.

The UCAN Mentor and Volunteer Program pairs the talents and interests of responsible men and women with the needs of our clients. The Mentor and Volunteer Program helps young people build positive relationships with adults and broadens a child's social and cultural experiences. The Mentor and Volunteer Program is looking for volunteers who are at least age 21 and able to commit at least 5 hours each month. Additionally, the ideal mentor would demonstrate good problem-solving skills and have strong assessment and communication skills. Training is provided for all mentors and volunteers.