Tutoring

Black lives matter to Chicago Lights.

Chicago Lights Tutoring supports the academic and personal growth of 440 students a year.

I wouldn’t be here without my mentor Liz’s love and support.

Xavier, 2015 Tutoring alumnus, was paired with his mentor, Liz, when he was in third grade. Twelve years later, he’s a senior at Albion College studying public policy and plans to attend law school.

We help make bright futures a reality for students by matching them one-to-one with caring adult mentors. These relationships, combined with innovative educational and enrichment resources, mindful practices, and career development, help prepare our students for higher education and future jobs.

One-To-One Tutoring

1 in 3 young people will grow up without a mentor. We seek to change that, matching first- through twelfth-grade students from Chicago’s Near North, West, and South Side neighborhoods with caring adult mentors. As a result of these partnerships, students are more likely to graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and thrive in meaningful careers.

Enrichment

We believe in wrap-around care for our students, which is why each night our Tutoring program begins with a healthy dinner made on site, followed by enrichment classes. Students explore art, dance, yoga, digital music, or Peace Club, which uses mindfulness, meditation, and labyrinths to encourage peaceful expression.

Literacy

Literacy is a vital part of human connection and understanding. That’s why our Tutoring program incorporates a comprehensive literacy curriculum. In 2018, 100% of our first- through sixth-grade students improved their reading skills.

Career Development

High school students get a head start on career planning through our eight-month Career Development program. Through hands-on activities led by community business leaders, students explore future career paths and learn the basics of resume writing, interviewing, workplace etiquette, and financial literacy. Learn more. =

Internships

High school students in our Career Development program put their knowledge into action through summer internships. Students living in under-resourced neighborhoods may not have access to job resources—but our internships change that. In partnership with local businesses, internships provide invaluable professional skills, boost resumes, and offer summer income for our students. Learn more. =

Scholarships

Transitioning from middle school to high school can be overwhelming. Many of our students live in neighborhoods where public high schools are struggling—some with graduation rates as low as 65%. That’s why we offer scholarships for twenty of our high school students to attend Chicago-area private and parochial high schools, many with graduation rates near 100%. Learn more. =

Program Details

Schedule

Due to COVID-19, Tutoring is taking place virtually. Tutoring meets Mondays through Thursdays from October through May. Students attend one night each week. Most students arrive at 5:00 p.m. for a hot meal and enrichment activity. Tutors arrive by 6:00 p.m. and work with their student until 7:30 p.m. Tutoring follows the Chicago Public School’s vacation and holiday schedule.

Location

Fourth Presbyterian Church 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago

Career Development/Internships

Student Eligibility

Career Development is for eligible high school students enrolled in our Tutoring program. Students are supported by their one-to-one mentor and local business and organization leaders. High school students in grades 10–12 currently enrolled in our Career Development program and college-age Tutoring program alumni are eligible for summer internships.

Internship Schedule

Internships are typically from mid-June to mid-August at a variety of local businesses and organizations in the fields of healthcare, technology, law, consulting, nonprofit, education, government, retail, marketing, media, architecture, engineering, accounting, and more. The schedule is flexible, but most students work Monday–Thursday, either 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 12:00–4:00 p.m. Students receive a stipend from Chicago Lights. There is no cost to partner businesses and organizations.

Scholarships

Student Eligibility

Career Development is for eligible high school students enrolled in our Tutoring program. Students are supported by their one-to-one mentor and local business and organization leaders. High school students in grades 10–12 currently enrolled in our Career Development program and college-age Tutoring program alumni are eligible for summer internships.

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