Hi all,
I am final year graduate Computer Science student who is one among the three students from Loyola University Chicago who is involved in Mapping for justice project with Cabrini Connections. We are currently mapping Banks and their locations as our assets, to help T/MC in finding out valuable resources as part of our project.
To start with, we have been collecting bank data from various resources for Geocoding it in our maps in the future. As I have mentioned earlier the three students working on this project are Peter Hoy, Brad Drury and Alexander(me). We are being assisted by our mentor Prof. David Treering who is a GIS specialist and also a faculty at Loyola University Chicago. He has given this exposure for us to serve our community in a better way as a part of our curriculum.
Mike Trakan also a GIS specialist, singer and song writer has been our guiding force in developing this project. Dan, head of T/MC programs and Mike have been working on similar kind of projects for years in developing this society. We as students are starting our services to serve our community through the opportunities like this. Please contribute to the developement of T/MC in any ways possible. More info can be obtained through this blog space. Will keep posted....
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Mapping Solutions Gallery Sample: US Rep Luis Gutiérrez and his 4th District
See how Tutor/Mentor Connection maps connect politicians and ideas to help inner city kids
Here is a sample of the type of map you are going to see at the Mapping Solutions gallery at Webster's Wine Bar on November 17, as part of international GIS Day.
Luis Gutiérrez currently represents Illinois's 4th U.S. Congressional District. He will soon be running for mayor of Chicago. He is one of several politicians (with the power to build support for tutor/mentor programs) that will be featured in our Mapping Solutions gallery.
Our maps show where tutor/mentor programs are needed most by showing, in the maps above for instance, "poorly performing schools" and high levels of poverty - two indicators that there are many "at-risk" youth who need extra guidance away from the streets and toward college, jobs and responsible decision-making in their adult lives. (Click on the map to get an expanded preview.)
Then click here for a detailed look at why this should concern you, and what politicians like Gutiérrez can do to take the lead in saving us money, protecting our streets, and guiding our future neighbors through tutoring/mentoring.
Come out to the event, talk with us, and see similar maps.
And please click here to contribute a small donation so we can continue Mapping Solutions to poverty, crime, and the drop-out crisis for our politicians.
==========================
Who are we?
Tutor/Mentor Connection is a Chicago non-profit that helps connect business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens with afterschool and tutor/mentor programs, in part through a series of web-based maps. Using technology donated by Esri, our maps chart instances of issues like crime, violence and failing schools against the prevalence of afterschool and tutor/mentor programs. By showing this relationship, we want to create connections between at-risk students and business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens who are willing to help.
What are we going to do?
We are raising money this fall to continue and improve our map capacities, to build new support for students through tutor/mentor programs, and to forge new alliances among community leaders who want to help.
Additionally, this year, we are hosting a map gallery , entitled Mapping Solutions , on Wednesday, November 17 2010 to draw support to GIS Day by displaying our unique maps for the general public, business and political leaders. Maps will be on display for purchase starting Monday, November 15 to Sunday, November 27.
The fundraiser event will take place on Wednesday, November 17.
Webster Wine Bar , 1480 W. Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.
Why are we doing this?
In this day and age, maps can show a lot more than how to get from Point A to Point B. By mapping the geographic relationship between social issues in Chicago and their critical solutions, we want to show where our community has opportunities for Chicago leaders to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children.
Please consider a donation, and try to come out on November 17 to see for yourself how Tutor/Mentor Connection is Mapping Solutions.
Here is a sample of the type of map you are going to see at the Mapping Solutions gallery at Webster's Wine Bar on November 17, as part of international GIS Day.
Luis Gutiérrez currently represents Illinois's 4th U.S. Congressional District. He will soon be running for mayor of Chicago. He is one of several politicians (with the power to build support for tutor/mentor programs) that will be featured in our Mapping Solutions gallery.
Our maps show where tutor/mentor programs are needed most by showing, in the maps above for instance, "poorly performing schools" and high levels of poverty - two indicators that there are many "at-risk" youth who need extra guidance away from the streets and toward college, jobs and responsible decision-making in their adult lives. (Click on the map to get an expanded preview.)
Then click here for a detailed look at why this should concern you, and what politicians like Gutiérrez can do to take the lead in saving us money, protecting our streets, and guiding our future neighbors through tutoring/mentoring.
Come out to the event, talk with us, and see similar maps.
And please click here to contribute a small donation so we can continue Mapping Solutions to poverty, crime, and the drop-out crisis for our politicians.
==========================
Who are we?
Tutor/Mentor Connection is a Chicago non-profit that helps connect business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens with afterschool and tutor/mentor programs, in part through a series of web-based maps. Using technology donated by Esri, our maps chart instances of issues like crime, violence and failing schools against the prevalence of afterschool and tutor/mentor programs. By showing this relationship, we want to create connections between at-risk students and business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens who are willing to help.
What are we going to do?We are raising money this fall to continue and improve our map capacities, to build new support for students through tutor/mentor programs, and to forge new alliances among community leaders who want to help.
Additionally, this year, we are hosting a map gallery , entitled Mapping Solutions , on Wednesday, November 17 2010 to draw support to GIS Day by displaying our unique maps for the general public, business and political leaders. Maps will be on display for purchase starting Monday, November 15 to Sunday, November 27.
The fundraiser event will take place on Wednesday, November 17.
Webster Wine Bar , 1480 W. Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.
Why are we doing this?
In this day and age, maps can show a lot more than how to get from Point A to Point B. By mapping the geographic relationship between social issues in Chicago and their critical solutions, we want to show where our community has opportunities for Chicago leaders to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children.
Please consider a donation, and try to come out on November 17 to see for yourself how Tutor/Mentor Connection is Mapping Solutions.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Mapping Solutions: Celebrate GIS Day with us November 17th
See how Tutor/Mentor Connection maps connect adults and ideas to help inner city kids
Mapping Solutions is one of the things that Tutor/Mentor Connection does everyday. Can you help?
Where do poverty, violence, school performance and community support intersect? Our maps can show you.
Who are we?
Tutor/Mentor Connection is a Chicago non-profit that helps connect business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens with afterschool and tutor/mentor programs, in part through a series of web-based maps. Using technology donated by Esri, our maps chart instances of issues like crime, violence and failing schools against the prevalence of afterschool and tutor/mentor programs. By showing this relationship, we want to create connections between at-risk students and business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens who are willing to help.
What are we going to do?
We are raising money this fall to continue and improve our map capacities, to build new support for students through tutor/mentor programs, and to forge new alliances among community leaders who want to help.
Additionally, this year, we are hosting a map gallery , entitled Mapping Solutions , on Wednesday, November 17 2010 to draw support to GIS Day by displaying our unique maps for the general public, business and political leaders. Maps will be on display for purchase starting Monday, November 15 to Sunday, November 27.
The fundraiser event will take place on Wednesday, November 17.
Webster Wine Bar , 1480 W. Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.
Why are we doing this?
In this day and age, maps can show a lot more than how to get from Point A to Point B. By mapping the geographic relationship between social issues in Chicago and their critical solutions, we want to show where our community has opportunities for Chicago leaders to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children.
Please consider a donation, and try to come out on November 17 to see for yourself how Tutor/Mentor Connection is Mapping Solutions.
Mapping Solutions is one of the things that Tutor/Mentor Connection does everyday. Can you help?
Where do poverty, violence, school performance and community support intersect? Our maps can show you.
Who are we?
Tutor/Mentor Connection is a Chicago non-profit that helps connect business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens with afterschool and tutor/mentor programs, in part through a series of web-based maps. Using technology donated by Esri, our maps chart instances of issues like crime, violence and failing schools against the prevalence of afterschool and tutor/mentor programs. By showing this relationship, we want to create connections between at-risk students and business leaders, politicians, educators and citizens who are willing to help.
What are we going to do?We are raising money this fall to continue and improve our map capacities, to build new support for students through tutor/mentor programs, and to forge new alliances among community leaders who want to help.
Additionally, this year, we are hosting a map gallery , entitled Mapping Solutions , on Wednesday, November 17 2010 to draw support to GIS Day by displaying our unique maps for the general public, business and political leaders. Maps will be on display for purchase starting Monday, November 15 to Sunday, November 27.
The fundraiser event will take place on Wednesday, November 17.
Webster Wine Bar , 1480 W. Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.
Why are we doing this?
In this day and age, maps can show a lot more than how to get from Point A to Point B. By mapping the geographic relationship between social issues in Chicago and their critical solutions, we want to show where our community has opportunities for Chicago leaders to make a difference in the lives of at-risk children.
Please consider a donation, and try to come out on November 17 to see for yourself how Tutor/Mentor Connection is Mapping Solutions.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Music For Maps... New Maps Coming Soon!
Wow what a month.
The first annual Tutor/Mentor Jam was a huge success.
Last Sunday, we put on a show for a community of business, political, and media leaders... who join forces with local artists/musicians, volunteers in mentoring programs, and curious/concerned music fans on the West Side of Chicago.
Community coming together to network and make a difference! That's why I'm here - this is what my maps work to accomplish.
We had a pretty good turn out for the first year too, on a warm Sunday afternoon - we ended up with somewhere around 175 in attendance (about 75% capacity)... they got to hear new local music, meet local radio reps, hear media leaders and volunteer mentors talk... there was a lot of networking, we brought new visibility to a great cause, and it was a ton of fun.
I'm hoping to ride that momentum into the school season, as the school year starts...
Check back soon for details about:
1. A partnership between students at Loyola University and Mapping For Justice...
2. A map gallery at a local bar/restaurant coinciding with International GIS Day in November...
3. Our bi-annual Tutor/Mentor Conference in November...
4. New innovations in our online mapping capacities.
If any of this seems interesting to you, drop me a line.
We're always looking for volunteers and investment for next year's Tutor/Mentor Jam, and with everything we do!
The first annual Tutor/Mentor Jam was a huge success.
Last Sunday, we put on a show for a community of business, political, and media leaders... who join forces with local artists/musicians, volunteers in mentoring programs, and curious/concerned music fans on the West Side of Chicago.Community coming together to network and make a difference! That's why I'm here - this is what my maps work to accomplish.
We had a pretty good turn out for the first year too, on a warm Sunday afternoon - we ended up with somewhere around 175 in attendance (about 75% capacity)... they got to hear new local music, meet local radio reps, hear media leaders and volunteer mentors talk... there was a lot of networking, we brought new visibility to a great cause, and it was a ton of fun.
I'm hoping to ride that momentum into the school season, as the school year starts...
Check back soon for details about:
1. A partnership between students at Loyola University and Mapping For Justice...
2. A map gallery at a local bar/restaurant coinciding with International GIS Day in November...
3. Our bi-annual Tutor/Mentor Conference in November...
4. New innovations in our online mapping capacities.
If any of this seems interesting to you, drop me a line.
We're always looking for volunteers and investment for next year's Tutor/Mentor Jam, and with everything we do!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Football, Music, Maps, and Justice
A former wide receiver for the Northwestern Wildcats, “Cabrini Connections” Tutor/Mentor Program Coordinator EL D’asheon Nix maintains a blog that documents the daily challenges faced by a non-school tutor/mentor program for at-risk youth. EL often cites parallels between the year-round training, performing, and measuring cycle of a football team, and that of a mentoring program. He writes in his “Cabriniblog” this week,“This summer we have been reaching out to all of our returning players (students and their parents) and our returning coaches (volunteers) [to take] part in individual workouts over the summer … We are hoping that each and every player and coach on the team [is] ready to hit the ground running before the official team meetings (orientations) … and the opening season kickoff on Wednesday September 15th.”
A similar process is happening right now in dozens, if not hundreds of non-profit programs all over the city. Despite their efforts however, drop-out rates and youth violence continue to grow. Tutor/Mentor Connection (a related non-profit that specializes in building maps and strategies that facilitate this process of building tutor/mentor “teams”) maintains that more volunteer “coaches” are needed to recruit and train new student and parent “players” in new program “teams” everywhere, to attack these social woes at their core.
Against this backdrop, Tutor/Mentor Connection is calling community leaders and concerned citizens to join them at Tutor/Mentor Jam 2010 on August 29, 2010, at Darkroom in Chicago's West Town Neighborhood. This annual August/September volunteer recruitment event aims to mobilize volunteers and donors to be take action and be a part of tutor/mentor “teams.”
I will be performing with my band and plugging my maps and efforts from the stage, and I'm excited to announce that the indie hip hop coalition, The Black Temple 21, joined the bill last week, and this week, another former Wildcat football player joined our team. Come see former Northwestern Wildcat quarterback Alexander Webb perform a set of his acoustic blend of classic motown and modern rock at the event.
* More details at http://www.tutormentorjam.org/
* Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622; 773-276-1411;
* 21+, Sunday, August 29, 2010; 5pm doors; Show at 6pm.
* FREE FOOD from ManBQue (cash bar);
TICKETS - HURRY! $10 until August 10th. After, going up to $15 through August 29th. $20 at the door; Purchase at http://www.tutormentorjam.org/
?!?! Can't make it?
Every donation helps our effort! http://www.giveforward.org/tmjam2010/
Monday, July 19, 2010
Benefit Concert for Tutor/Mentor Programs... Mapping For Justice Involved
My role with Tutor/Mentor Connection is always exciting - I get to wear many hats and utilize my diverse personal skillset every day: Mapmaker, Public Speaker, Marketing/PR, Web/Tech guy, and graphic designer. I get to meet politicians and business leaders... and I get to work weekly as an educator (I'm an M.Ed.), with the kids who attend Cabrini Connections Tech Club on nights when their peers might be on the streets.
I've shared on this blog how our political and business and other community leaders need to step up to the plate to ensure programs like Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) can continue to serve our students and ultimately you and me. These are programs our leadership often cite as necessary in the fights against crime, escalating taxes, and the drop-out crisis. I make maps to help people like them and people like you visualize the problem, create strategies, and take action.
Now I'm taking new direct action myself... and putting on two more hats...
I'm picking up my guitar and am making a direct call to you to join me... at a benefit concert I'm producing at Darkroom in Chicago on Sunday August 29 at 6pm on behalf of the T/MC and Mapping For Justice. (Come at 5pm for FREE BarBQue!!!)
* BUY TICKETS NOW
* DONATE to help if you can't make it.
More details?....
(This show is for adults, 21 years of age and older.)
WHAT? Tutor/Mentor Jam 2010, a Back To School Benefit for Tutor/Mentor Programs, programs that aid public school students.
WHEN? Sunday, August 29, 2010... 5pm = doors & FREE FOOD (cash bar)... Shows starts at 6pm.
WHERE? Darkroom, a music venue situated in the heart of Chicago's West Town Neighborhood, just west of Cabrini Green.
HOW? PURCHASE TICKETS NOW! $10 Advance July only ($15 in August, $20 door).
I've shared on this blog how our political and business and other community leaders need to step up to the plate to ensure programs like Tutor/Mentor Connection (T/MC) can continue to serve our students and ultimately you and me. These are programs our leadership often cite as necessary in the fights against crime, escalating taxes, and the drop-out crisis. I make maps to help people like them and people like you visualize the problem, create strategies, and take action.
Now I'm taking new direct action myself... and putting on two more hats...I'm picking up my guitar and am making a direct call to you to join me... at a benefit concert I'm producing at Darkroom in Chicago on Sunday August 29 at 6pm on behalf of the T/MC and Mapping For Justice. (Come at 5pm for FREE BarBQue!!!)
* BUY TICKETS NOW
* DONATE to help if you can't make it.
More details?....
(This show is for adults, 21 years of age and older.)
WHAT? Tutor/Mentor Jam 2010, a Back To School Benefit for Tutor/Mentor Programs, programs that aid public school students.
WHEN? Sunday, August 29, 2010... 5pm = doors & FREE FOOD (cash bar)... Shows starts at 6pm.
WHERE? Darkroom, a music venue situated in the heart of Chicago's West Town Neighborhood, just west of Cabrini Green.
HOW? PURCHASE TICKETS NOW! $10 Advance July only ($15 in August, $20 door).
WHY? This coming-together of bands, entertainers, and the local business community represents a village, coming together to draw public attention and support toward volunteer-based, non-school tutor/mentor programs in high-poverty/high-crime neighborhoods throughout the Chicago region.
Such programs provide safe places where youth can connect with caring adult tutors, mentors, and career coaches who volunteer to help at-risk youth gain the academic and decision making edge that just might be the difference in a few years, when that child is deciding between a book and a gun.
* Official Website: Tutor/Mentor Jam 2010
* Darkroom, 2210 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
* Sunday, August 29, 2010; PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!
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