Welcome to the Illinois Mentoring Partnership
The Illinois Mentoring Partnership is the unifying champion for quality youth mentoring in Illinois, providing resources, technical assistance, heightened public awareness and advocacy for the state's mentoring movement. Nearly 180 youth mentoring organizations, including independent agencies, school-based organizations, faith-based organizations and government and community-based organizations, are known to be operating in Illinois. While most are doing good work with the resources they have, more than 500,000 additional young people statewide could benefit from having a mentor.
The Illinois Mentoring Partnership will help close this mentoring gap and will result in outcome-based returns. Research shows that mentored youth:
- Have better school attendance, a better chance of going on to higher education and better attitudes toward school.
- Are less likely to engage in substance abuse and negative youth behaviors.
- Have more positive social attitudes and relationships, including a tendency to trust their parents more and communicate better with them.
- Actively plan career goals and take steps to realize them.
Want to Make A Difference?
Search for mentoring opportunities in your community.
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Illinois Mentoring News
Join the Conversation on Social Media
We recently launched a Facebook page and Twitter feed. Please "like" and "follow" us so we can spread the word about the Illinois Mentoring Partnership.
Illinois Mentoring Partnership Launches With Newly Appointed Executive Director
The National Mentoring Partnership, in conjunction with the Illinois Mentoring Partnership's Steering Committee, announced on October 4th, 2012 the formation of the Illinois Mentoring Partnership, headquartered in Chicago, along with the appointment of Sheila Marie Merry as Executive Director of the organization. Click here to learn more.
Illinois Mentoring Partnership Launch Details
October 4th marked the official launch of the Illinois Mentoring Partnership. Nearly 125 guests including our Founding Partners, Steering Committee members, and Program Leadership Council leaders gathered for a luncheon at the Harold Washington Library Center to celebrate Illinois joining 25 others states within MENTOR's network of Mentoring Partnerships. Click here to read more.
To view photos from the October 4 Launch of the IL Mentoring Partnership at The Harold Washington Library, click here.
Mentoring in the News:
The Chicago Tribune highlights the importance of, and need for, mentoring. Read the article here.
In Chicago, Proof Positive That Mentoring Decreases Youth Violence. Read the article here.
The Illinois Mentoring Partnership has been officially formed and is awaiting 501(c)(3) status. We are proud to be continuing the quest for quality mentoring throughout the state. If you would like information about the Illinois Mentoring Partnership, please see our contact information here.
