Mentor
Mentor one Chicago student for four years.
Mentoring at PEAK is more than volunteering. You guide one scholar through high school, then stay in their life. Many mentors stay close to their scholars long after graduation.
4
Years with one scholar
4
Hours a month in person, recommended
5
Mentor and scholar events a year
1:1
You and your scholar decide how you spend your time
Why mentor
You change a student's path. The student changes yours.
PEAK mentors serve as life coaches and role models. They help scholars attend school, feel good about school and believe in themselves.
Personal growth
Mentoring builds empathy, patience and communication skills.
Community impact
You build a brighter future for your scholar and for Chicago.
Lifelong connections
Relationships that start in high school last well beyond it.
Career development
Mentoring strengthens the leadership and communication skills you use at work.
What mentors say
"Being a PEAK mentor isn't just about getting involved or sharing insight with a young person. It's also about learning and growing as an adult."
Kevin Golden, PEAK mentor alum"It was just so gratifying to see where Jocelyn started out as a freshman to where she left as a senior. The growth that I saw in her, the confidence that I saw in her; it really was what I was after in becoming a mentor."
Kirti Patel, PEAK mentor alumWho should apply
Mentors come from every part of Chicago.
PEAK mentors work in corporate, nonprofit, government and education. Some run their own businesses. Some are retired. The best mentors are collaborative, action-oriented, creative, humble and committed to making an impact.
PEAK welcomes mentors of every race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and veteran status.
What we look for
- You live in the Greater Chicago area.
- You are a stable professional, or retired professional, able to commit to four years.
- You have strong leadership qualities and a commitment to helping young people succeed.
- You have a history of volunteering or community engagement.
- You can give your scholar the time, energy and resources the relationship needs.
How to apply
Four steps to become a mentor.
Written application
Tell us about yourself and why you want to mentor.
Interview
Help us learn what matters to you.
Reference checks
Let others tell us how great you are.
Background checks
Federal and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services child abuse checks.
Your support
You do not mentor alone.
Orientation
Mentor orientation each September, at the start of the school year, prepares you for the role.
Conference calls
Optional 30-minute calls with a guest speaker on a pressing mentoring topic.
Retreats
Twice a year, an in-depth session on a mentoring topic and a facilitated conversation with other mentors. Mentors attend.
Events and community
Five mentor and scholar events a year. Scholars and mentors attend. You meet other mentors and PEAK staff.
Recognition
Our mentoring program has won awards.
- Thomas A. Demetrio Award of Excellence for mentoring, awarded twice to PEAK.
- 2016 Impact Award for "Match of the Year," presented by the Illinois Mentoring Partnership.
