Since my mom reads this blog, I better preface this post with a disclaimer: I don’t usually spend Sundays at a bar. 
This past Sunday night, however, was a noteworthy exception.
The first annual Tutor/Mentor Jam at Darkroom, a music venue in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, took place this past Sunday. The event served not only as a benefit concert for Tutor/Mentor Connection, but also as a means for entertainers, bands, and other community members to collectively draw visibility and support to volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs in high poverty neighborhoods throughout Chicago. The night kicked off with a delicious barbecue provided by Man B Que who grilled up mouthwatering burgers, hot dogs, and mushroom burgers.
After everyone’s appetites were satiated, Alexander Webb, a former Northwestern quarterback, played a great acoustic set keeping the audience entranced with his beautiful melodies and soulful voice. His talent and passion for the cause made me proud to be a Northwestern Wildcat! Soon, the Unusual Suspects went on stage and got everyone on their feet dancing! With fantastic vocals and an excellent horn section, they covered various blues artists that kept people singing and dancing along (the music helped me discover that several of my friends are good swing dancers—who knew?).
Afterward, Trakan took the stage with his band and gave a rock-solid and energizing performance. It was exciting to see Mike Trakan, the T/MC GIS Coordinator and the co-producer of the concert, on stage and in his element. Mike has been working for months to organize this event and he provides a great example of using his passion—music—and his networks—entertainers, musicians, and concert-goers—to draw support and visibility to tutor/mentor programs.
After Trakan, The Black Temple 21 played a lively hip-hop set, then No Hero finished off the night strong.
One of the highlights of the evening was when Brea Adams, a mentor at Cabrini Connections, spoke about her involvement with the program and what keeps her engaged as a volunteer. I got to know Brea’s mentee, Crystal Townsend, this summer so I was excited to hear from the person who Crystal 
enthusiastically referred to as “SO cool!”
The first Tutor/Mentor Jam was a success—not only because of the money raised, but also (and probably even more importantly) because of the new people that connected to T/MC through the event. I was touched by how many of my friends came out to support the event, and so many staff, board members, band members, and others brought out their networks to collectively show support for tutor/mentor programs for at-risk youth.
Thank you to all the volunteers, bands, auction donors, and event sponsors for making the first T/M Jam a success, and a special thanks to all of my friends who came!
By the time I was eight years-old, I realized that being a salesperson might not be my calling. I remember walking around my neighborhood with my older brother, Blake, trying to get people to buy overpriced packages of lentil soup for a school fundraiser. In case you were wondering, lentil soup is a tough sell. Each time we approached the door of a neighbor, the scenario remained identical: Blake and I would knock then argue over who had to do the talking, a tired-looking adult would come to the door and fail to hide their disappointment when they realized the intent of our intrusion, some excuse would be made about allergies to lentils or a niece's fundraiser the person had just supported, and we would trudge away to the next house. Aside from some sympathetic family friends and relatives who were probably eating lentils for the entire winter, it's safe to say we didn't make a whole lot of sales.
Last week, Tutor/Mentor Connection intern Willow Yang Liuqing approached me to see if I'd be interested in attending a workshop today on marketing for nonprofits and on building successful media campaigns through Community Media Workshop. Given my previous foray into "marketing," I knew I could use some tools and strategies. Even though advocating for tutoring and mentoring programs is a much different (and more rewarding) "product" than--say--lentils, much of our work at Tutor/Mentor Connection involves reaching out to the community and gaining supporters. We therefore hoped to learn more about how to effectively communicate the mission of Tutor/Mentor Connection to a broad spectrum of individuals.
The attendees of the workshop came from a wide variety of organizations ranging from museums to direct service nonprofits. It became clear through the presentation and through conversations that followed that everyone in the nonprofit sector grapples with similar challenges and questions. Do people actually look at our facebook pages? Is social media as effective as traditional media? At what point do people start tuning out even worthy messages?
In a way, I was relieved to know that others share many of the questions that have been going through my mind as I begin this position and try to find the best means to network with others, share stories, and build a community of supporters for Cabrini Connections and Tutor/Mentor Connection. The presenters from Active Transportation Alliance stressed the importance of reaching beyond staff; although their organization has over forty employees, they still draw upon volunteers, pro bono work from businesses, and interns as key actors in marketing their campaigns. They discussed the value in building longstanding relationships with media, volunteers, businesses, communities, and other nonprofits.
Clearly, gaining support for a nonprofit industry is a lot different than trying to sell a product, and unlike lentils, the mission of Tutor/Mentor Connection is something about which I am truly excited. I believe in the value of getting quality tutor/mentor programs into every neighborhood and that meaningful relationships with adults are integral to students' successful entry into colleges and careers. Now it's a matter of communicating that mission, cultivating relationships, and allowing people to become advocates themselves
as they realize we are all key stakeholders in youth's futures.
I encourage you to visit Dan's blog to learn more about who we are, and to check out the upcoming Tutor/Mentor Jam for a fun way to support programs in Chicago!
This past Sunday night, however, was a noteworthy exception.
After everyone’s appetites were satiated, Alexander Webb, a former Northwestern quarterback, played a great acoustic set keeping the audience entranced with his beautiful melodies and soulful voice. His talent and passion for the cause made me proud to be a Northwestern Wildcat! 
Afterward, Trakan took the stage with his band and gave a rock-solid and energizing performance. It was exciting to see Mike Trakan, the T/MC GIS Coordinator and the co-producer of the concert, on stage and in his element. Mike has been working for months to organize this event and he provides a great example of using his passion—music—and his networks—entertainers, musicians, and concert-goers—to draw support and visibility to tutor/mentor programs. 
enthusiastically referred to as “SO cool!” 
