Being a PEAK mentor is a highly rewarding commitment and a chance to make a lasting impact on a young person’s life. Serving as a life coach and role model, PEAK mentors help shape the future of their scholars, improving attendance, fostering positive attitudes toward school, and boosting self-esteem.

At PEAK, we believe in the power of strong mentor-scholar relationships that extend beyond high school, creating lifelong connections. Many of our mentors stay in close contact with their scholars long after graduation, offering continued support as they navigate college, careers, and life challenges.

Discover inspiring stories of mentor-scholar success on the PEAK blog, including stories like that of Karen and Ingrid (’19) and their dedicated mentors, Brigid Daugherty Fox and Jen Allen. These stories showcase the deep bonds and transformative experiences that define the PEAK mentoring program.

These accolades highlight PEAK’s dedication to creating meaningful and effective mentor-scholar relationships that transform lives.

Becoming a PEAK mentor involves a four-year commitment, guiding a scholar through high school and beyond. Unlike a traditional tutoring program with set schedules, PEAK allows you and your scholar to determine when and how you spend time together, making it a flexible and personalized experience.

PEAK recommends mentors spend about four hours each month with their scholar in person. Consistent communication via phone, text, or email keeps the relationship strong between visits. In addition, PEAK hosts four to six mentor-scholar events each year to foster relationships and develop our scholars’ social awareness and interpersonal skills. Attendance at these events is mandatory for scholars and mentors.

PEAK mentors come from all walks of life and reflect the diverse landscape of Chicago. We welcome mentors from various sectors, including corporate, nonprofit, government, and education, entrepreneurs, as well as retired individuals. Ideal PEAK mentors are collaborative, innovative, and committed to making a meaningful impact. They are action-oriented, creative, humble, and demonstrate personal responsibility and integrity.

PEAK is an inclusive organization that embraces diversity across all dimensions. We actively seek mentors who represent the wide spectrum of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, and veteran status that defines our region.