I took the attendee data that was collected at the conference and created a few maps to show where programs are working in relationship to eachother. Hopefully, the maps can be used as a sort of visual directory for people and companies who are interested in finding eachother and working together. (Incidentally, if you are interested in a searchable listing of all known tutoring and mentoring programs, please check out Tutor/Mentor Connection's Program Locator.)
The primary map shows that the conference attracted tutor/mentor programs throughout the city. It also takes this local "attendee data" and plots program locations against poverty data collected by the Census Bureau in 2000. This of course helps to show where, in relation to poverty, these local organizations are working with kids:
Many of the programs who attended work to support non profits throughout the region (such as BigBrothers/Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago). Several are tightly clustered in downtown offices, so I zoomed to this level in a second map. (by the way, Cabrini Connections and Tutor/Mentor Connection are located at point #7):
Attendees did not come only from the city of Chicago however. Programs from all over Northeastern Illinois participated...
... as well as from all over the country:
Overall, the conference was a great success, and I'm hoping these maps help coordinate future efforts of organizations who attended. Perhaps they even can help attract and help new programs who would like to share information and resources in tutoring and mentoring.
The maps show where tutor/mentor programs are needed, based on high concentrations of poverty. They also show how the Tutor/Mentor Connection is drawing programs from different parts of the city together to share ideas, network and collaborate to solve problems.
ReplyDeleteBy creating these maps we enable any volunteer or donor to choose what neighborhood they want to support, then choose which programs in that neighborhood they want to help.
We also create the ability for businesses, churches, hospitals and universities to become strategic in their involvement, encouraging employees to volunteer time, talent and dollars to support programs in neighborhoods where these groups are located.
As a result, this strategy aims to help volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs grow in many locations, not just a few high profile places.
Read more about this on the Tutor/Mentor Blog at http://tutormentor.blogspot.com