Cabriniblog

"I Present to You...the 2011 Cabrini Connections' Year End Dinner"

2011-06-17T12:23:00.016-05:00

Last evening the Cabrini Connections' program capped off the 2010-2011 tutoring/mentoring year with our Annual Year End Dinner. This was truly a remarkable event filled with speeches, performances, awards, great food, nearly 250 attendees, and a special tribute to our 2011 Cabrini Connections’ graduating class! This graduating class is truly unique in the fact that:

* 4 out of 5 seniors have been in the Cabrini Connections’ program for six years!

* Those same 4 seniors were also members of the Cabrini Green Tutoring Program and upon graduating from that program in the 6th grade they continued on with our program.

* 1 of the mentor/mentee pairs have been working together since the start of the student’s 7th grade year. Meaning they have been a mentor/mentee pair for six years!

*Lastly, ALL 5 seniors will be enrolled in a college or university in the Fall of 2011!!!
-Kanah Bradley (Southern Illinois University)
-Cierria Tharpe (Illinois Institute of Art)
-Victoria Rivera (Western Illinois University)
-Whitney Hemphill (Chicago State University or Robert Morris University)
-Imann Mitchell (Robert Morris University)

Check out this video of the seniors receiving their Graduation Dollars and yearbooks!

Class of 2011 from Cabrini Connections on Vimeo.

We are not only very proud of our 2011 graduating class, but we are proud of our entire Cabrini Connections program! The Cabrini Connections' staff would like to thank everybody that came out to help us celebrate another chapter to the "Cabrini Connections' Story" and we definitely would like to thank all of the students, volunteers, parents, and donors that all played a part in putting this event together. We are thankful and appreciative for your support of the Cabrini Connections' program.

The room was electric last night and hopefully everybody still has that feel good feeling right now! Hopefully EVERYBODY will take those positive feelings one step further and share with those in your network the impact that this program has on the lives of so many people. Tell them all about the RECORD BREAKING, AWARD WINNING, the ONE and ONLY Cabrini Connections' program!!! We are hopeful that they too will want to support the program as volunteers advocates, and/or a donors!!!

Alumni News

2011-01-10T17:50:00.003-06:00

LaShaun Crosby (with the orange shirt) sent me this message on Facebook.

I already received a Master degree in Education back in 08 and I will be graduating with my second Masters in June of this year. I will be receiving a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Learning. Also this summer I hope to begin drafting a mini book that will be composed of motivational, academic planning and esteem building activities that will be used to guide students in the city..Also it will contain a mini bio of my life growing up in Cabrini and how Ive grown into the person I am today...I hope to get it published one day and distributed to multiple schools throughout the city..Im in here Chicago.

All three of the students in this photo were part of Cabrini Connections in the mid 1990s and all have college degrees. LaShaun and Marquita Hall have graduate degrees.

We hope to help other students achieve this success in the future. If you're one of our alumni, please get in touch and tell us your story.

Dreams Become Reality for Former Mentee and Mentor!

2010-12-29T16:09:00.004-06:00

Below is a GREAT story of the power of the Cabrini Connections' program and how not only the students benefit from being involved in the program, but how the volunteers that work with the students benefit from seeing all of their hard work, dedication, and commitment pay off. This is not only another great entry in the Cabrini Connections' story, but another example of why programs like Cabrini Connections need to be put in place in neighborhoods all over the country.

Just wanted to share with all of you that a couple of weeks before Christmas I had the distinct honor of watching Diara Fleming graduate from Northern Illinois University. It was one of the most amazing things I have witnessed. In just over 4 years, Diara has worked her way through NIU to graduate with a GPA of over 3.0. She plans to go on to graduate school as soon as possible.

For those of you who don't know Diara, she was a bright student at both Cabrini Green Tutoring and the Cabrini Connections. She graduated from Walter Peyten High School and went straight to NIU. Although the road was not easy for her- Diara has done tremendously through her career at NIU and I am confident she will accomplish amazing things. Diara will tell you that she could not have graduated without the support of many others outside of her family which simply did not provide the support she needed.

I tell you this not to be boastful in any way of my involvement- but to stress how critical it is for programs like Cabrini to continuing pairing up tutors/mentors so they have the support network they need to be successful.

Wishing everyone at Cabrini a very Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Courtland

"Once in Cabrini Connections...ALWAYS in Cabrini Connections"

2010-12-13T16:28:00.007-06:00

The Cabrini Connections' program has over 800 volunteer alumnus and over 500 student alumnus and we truly feel that once you have been a part of the program you will always be a part of the program...and the network. Earlier today, Bradley Troast (Assistant Program Coordinator) and I received a surprise visit from former volunteer Stephanie Rogers and former student Aarion Woods.

Stephanie started in the program as a tutor/mentor in the Fall of 2008, but in the first couple of weeks changed her role and began in the College Zone part of the program where she remained there for a couple of years. During her time as an active volunteer Stephanie not only assisted students and volunteers on a weekly basis, but she also either joined efforts or came up with other projects that assisted with bringing in resources for the entire program. Stephanie remains connected to the program through the internet and by visiting from periodically and by sharing information to the staff, volunteers, and students that are still active in the program. Ms. Rogers also makes an effort to donate to the program.

Aarion Woods joined the program in the Fall of 2008 as well and was paired with, now Board Member, Mike Ozmeral. Aarion faced a lot of adversity outside of the program, but worked extremely hard to be as consistent as possible with his attendance and taking full advantage of program resources. Unfortunately Aarion's homelife and lack of resources forced him to become inactive in the program. But Aarion's strong personality, charm, and his willingness to continue overcome adversity has put in a position where he is now working and taken courses to get necessary certification at his place of employment to move up in the ranks. During his visit today he was all smiles and displayed a sense of pride when talking about what he has been going through...but more importantly how he has overcome those obsticles.

Thanks to first year volunteer, Brian Kamajian, Bradley and I were able to share a great job opportunity at the Wyndham Hotel with Aarion who immediately contacted his good friend AND Cabrini Connection's alumnus, Lawrence Brown, to share the information about the job. Before hanging up the phone both Aarion and Lawrence made plans to travel to the Wyndham on Thursday during the open timeslots to acquire more information about the job opportunities.

Bradley and I definitely enjoyed catching up with Stephanie and Aarion and to hear about all that they have been doing outside of the program, but it also felt good to exchange information and resources as well. This is a perfect display of how the Cabrini Connections' program is one big network and how that network can and should benefit any and everybody that has, is, or will be a part of the Cabrini Connections' TEAM.

Meet two alumni

2010-08-10T08:53:00.001-05:00

Here are two stories of young people who started with us many years ago.

Tramane Montel Ford got his first taste of acting in 1995 when he became part of the video group at Cabrini Connections. On August 7th he performed his new show, The Tramaine Experience: A One Man Show, and raised money so we can help other kids have similar experiences.

Isaiah Brooms was a Keynote Speaker at the November 2009 Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference, where he told how his life has taken a positive direction because of the support he received from his mentor, and the tutoring/programs he was part of. Here's the full transcript of his presentation.

Former Mentor tells story via Tribune blog

2010-04-29T12:33:00.003-05:00

On the News page of the Tutor/Mentor Connection site we pick up feeds from local and national media. I clicked into this story today, and found it was one of our former volunteers, Candice Warltier writing about her experiences.

How many other volunteers and students are telling this story? Connect with us on Facebook, or Linked in, or on this blog so more people can read these.

Words of Wisdom From A Cabrini Connections' Alum

2010-03-15T11:51:00.008-05:00

The Cabrini Connections' program is a tutoring/mentoring program that provides resources for 7-12th grade youth living in and around the Cabrini Green Housing community, in an effort that the student who join and stay committed to the program are in a career by the age of 25...

If anybody visited the program on any Wednesday or Thursday tutoring night, they would see everyone who is present working on that exact goal listed above. All of the students in the program are different, they have different goals, dreams, and aspirations...therefore what a person would see is each pair working on different work, but everybody as a whole working towards career goals. And during last Wednesday's tutoring session we had the opportunity to hear from one of the program's most recent alumni talk about all that she is doing now as a freshman at SIU Edwardsville, how she is working towards her goals, and how the Cabrini Connections' program and her mentor within the program played and continues to play a part in her life.

Eboni Rivera joined the program when she was in the 7th grade and remained dedicated and committed to the program and graduated from Kenwood Academy and become a Cabrini Connections' alumni in 2009. Eboni stated, "When I was in the 7th grade I didn't want to join the program and come here every Wednesday. I'd rather sit in my room and do my work on my own." But then she asked the students if they ever was doing work on their own and when it got too hard or if they had a questions if they said, "man I wish I had somebody here to help me figure this work out. That is what your mentor is here for, to help you figure your work out." Eboni went on to share her experiences in the program and how although she went through several mentors during her tenure in the program, they all worked hard to reach her and get through to her so that she could take advantage of all the potential she possesses.

In the 9th grade Eboni was then paired with her 'current' mentor and what should be her lifelong tutor/mentor and who she says is her 'bestfriend" Susan Nice. Eboni said that when she first walked into the program last Wednesday the first thing she did was give Susan a hug and say "I miss you!" Eboni went on to express how their relationship is much more than a tutor/mentor relationship; Eboni said, "We get along great, we have the same birthday, and we have a bond." This is a great example of how the tutoring/mentoring that takes place inside of Cabrini Connections is the start of many many years of tutoring/mentoring outside of the program as well. Just because a student graduates from high school and the program doesn't mean they no longer are in need of the services of the program and maybe more importantly, their mentor.

Ms. Rivera went on to discuss some of her college life and how she manages her time as a freshman at SIU. She concluded her speech by providing some words of wisdom for the volunteers and the students. Eboni encouraged all the volunteers to never give up on their student and to continue to "try and work harder" because it may take some time to reach the student that they are working with. She told the students, "get to know your mentor and take advantage of all that the program has to offer, because the program so much. And the resources can and will help you when it comes to getting into college, getting a job, and for your future career."

The entire Cabrini Connections' family would like to thank alumni Eboni Rivera for stopping by and sharing her story with the program, and we want to with her the best in her future endeavours!!! Eboni will also be speaking at the Annual Year End Dinner taking place on June 10th (check website at a later date for more details). We are looking to create more success stories like Ms. Riveras' but it takes resources to create these stories. If you would like to be a part of creating more stories like this please visit the website and become a supporter, a volunteer, and/or a donor.

On the College Front at Cabrini Connections

2010-02-08T15:51:00.007-06:00

I just wanted to provide a sneak peak at the future College/University destination of the Cabrini Connections' seniors this year. Currently, the Cabrini Connections' program has 10 seniors in the Class of 2010 who are all looking to continue their education at the next level.

Megan Caradine: who is a senior at Alraby High School will be attending Allen University in South Carolina.

Diamond Clark-McQueen (friend and classmate of Megan): is undecided at this point but has been accepted and is considering joining Megan at Allen University.

Brittany Delaney: (friend and classmate of both Megan and Diamond: will be attending Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.

DeSean Hale: who is a senior at Wells High School has been accepted to DePaul University and Northern Illinois University, and still waiting to hear from Arkansas, Miami (Oxford), and a few others.

Alexis Montgomery: who is a senior at Northtown Academy will be attending Wright College in the fall.

Vontesha Stanfield: who is a senior at Lakeview High School has been accepted to NIU, SIU, WIU, Northeastern IL. U., UIC, Indiana State, Central State (Ohio), and still waiting to hear from Spelman in Atlanta, GA. and EIU!!!

Dijana Smith: who is a senior at Lincoln Park High School is still waiting to hear from Jackson State.

And seniors Raheem Muhammad (Lincoln Park High School), Gregory Hatchett (Rauner College Prep), and Lawrence Brown (Von Steuben High School) are still undecided at this point but all make efforts to be in their college of choice in the fall.

The Cabrini Connections' staff would like to thank all of their mentors, the College Zone Coordinators, and thank all of those donors and Cabrini Connections' supports who provide the resources needed to make stories like this happen in our program. Thank you all of all that you do, and we hope that you will continue to give your time, knowlege, and support.

2009 Cabrini Connections' Graduating Class

2009-05-06T16:19:00.013-05:00

As we head into one of the best events that Cabrini Connections has to offer, the Annual Year End Dinner which will be taking place this year on June 4th, we go into the event with mixed emotions. This is truly a festive event that brings students, parents, staff, board members, volunteers, and guest all together to celebrate the end of another successful tutoring/mentoring year. But what makes this a event with mixed emotions is that we will be saying good bye to the 2009 Cabrini Connections' graduating class!

This year we have 5 seniors who will be, lets say, not leaving the Cabrini Connections' program but joining a growing list of alumni! I've been the Administrative Coordinator of the program for a little over a year, but I can truly say that I have been a witness of the growth and the leadership qualities that these 5 seniors have!

The 2009 Cabrini Connections' graduating class consist of Dominique Dobbs, LaFaye Garth, Angelene Hemphill, Eboni Rivera, and Charles Thomas, and they all have different plans as they continue on their path to a career by the age of 25.

Dominique Dobbs, senior at Lincoln Park High School, rejoined the program this year after taking some time off and has done an amazing job since returning. Dominique is very interested in studying psychology, but at this point is undecided on which college or university she will be attending in the fall.

LaFaye Garth, senior at Sullivan High School, has truly been a standout in the program. For anybody who has interacted with this young lady, you understand how dedicated, committed, and driven she is. LaFaye has been in the program since September of 2004 and progressed in the program very well! Ms. Garth was the recipient of the Posse Scholarship and will be receiving over $30,000 a year to attend California's Pomona College beginning in the fall. LaFaye has also received the Gates Foundation Scholarship that will pay for all of her graduate school expenses as she pursues a career in the nursing field. LaFaye also was on a recent episode of the Oprah Winfrey show.

Angelene Hemphill, senior at Wells High School, has also been doing a fantastic job inside and outside of the program. Angelene continues to strive for excellence inside of the program, but she also assists younger students by being a mentor herself outside of the program. Angelene also balances work as well! Angelene has hopes of attending either Harold Washington, Malcolm X, or Chicago State in the fall.

Eboni Rivera, senior at Kenwood High School, has been in the program since September of 2002 and has been a standout since that first day. Eboni is currently in the Cabrini Connections' Youth Leadership Council, on her school's softball team, and will be attending SIU in the fall! Eboni demonstrates her leadership in the program by assisting with the announcements on tutoring nights and by participating in various projects that the program has to offer. One of the opportunities that Eboni took advantage of and it paid off was the Halloween Essay contest that we provided last fall, and earned a free trip the Navy Pier's Haunted House on Halloween night.

Charles Thomas, senior at CICS Northtown Academy, and although he has a quiet and reserved demeanor, Charles has already begun his career path! Charles is undecided on which college or university he will be attending in the fall, but he does want to study Business once he makes his decision. Charles' goal is to one day be the owner of his own nightclub or a banquet hall. Charles is currently pursuing his dreams by working as a club promoter throughout the Chicagoland area. Charles is getting some hands on experience at an early age that can and will benefit him as he continues on his career path. Charles hopes to use the knowledge he is gaining now, along with getting a degree in business, to one day become a successful club owner!

The entire Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection staff would like to congratulate these 5 seniors for their hard work, decidation, and committment to excellence as they move on to the next phrase in their life. We hope they will continue to be advocates of the program, and encourage fellow Cabrini Connections' alums to do the same. And as we continue to work towards getting more and more students into the program and on track to graduate and become Cabrini Connections' alumni, we need more and more support and resources to make this happen. Please take a moment to think about the value and importance of a great education and tutoring and mentoring and consider donating to Cabrini Connections.

Cabrini Connections Alum stars in academics and football

2009-04-20T14:02:00.003-05:00

Cabrini Connections received this email and photo today from one of our former volunteers:

I thought you would be interested to see Willie Hatcher in his college football debut. He is a Freshman at St.Francis College in Ft Wayne In. He red shirted his freshman season and is now looking to get some playing time in his sophomore year. More importantly his is determined to get at least a 3.2 gpa for the second semester. All this would not be possible without your program to provide a place to meet each week and an environment to focus on academics. Thanks a lot. Colin

Click here to see the photos that Colin sent.

Graduation Awards for Cabrini Connections Seniors

2009-04-07T11:27:00.004-05:00

One of the many great resources that Cabrini Connections’ provides the students that participate in the program is an ability to earn points and graduation dollars for every student who enters AND completes the program.

The amount a student earns is based on an accumulation of the points that the students earn while participating in the program. Students earn points for attendance, special projects, completed Weekly Reflection sheets, submitting report cards etc…

As seniors, the points students earn are converted to dollars which are awarded at the Annual Year End Dinner. At this time the conversion rate is ten cents per point. That can grow if we can find donors who will sponsor the Point Bank with an endowment.

Currently we have 5 seniors whom we expect to graduate in June. If these seniors can continue to actively participate in the weekly Wednesday or Thursday tutor/mentor sessions during the 3^rd quarter (April through May 2009) they will receive their respective graduation awards at the Year End Dinner on June 4^th.

Students who have been part of Cabrini Connections since 7th grade, have earned quite a few points, so the pay out at graduation can be $500 or more. We're exploring ways to deposit this money directly in a bank account, and to have the bank add additional dollars. We'll have more details on this later.

If you have questions about the Graduation Awards and/or Point Bank, contact El Da'Sheon Nix. If you'd like to make a donation to support Cabrini Connections, use this form.

Kind Words from a former Cabrini Connections' Volunteer

2009-02-27T13:51:00.003-06:00

Below is a comment posted on Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection President/CEO, Mr. Bassill's Facebook page by a former volunteer who was involved with tutoring in around 1990-1991. These are the types of endorsements that Mr. Bassill and the entire staff hope many are feeling.

"Dan: The years that I spent tutoring with your Cabrini Green program are among my most rewarding memories of the time when I first came of age in this city. I'll never forget how many dozens of newly graduated HBCU alumni made the trek over to the building every Monday and Tuesday night (and beyond) to tutor those kids, in every conceivable subject. It alwaysfloored me that many of those young black professionals came from as faraway as Naperville (Ill.). Glad to know the program is still in good hands,and thank you for reaching out."

Cabrini Connections' Alum Shares...

2008-12-13T11:35:00.002-06:00

It's always good to hear from Cabrini Connections' alums and it's even sweeter to hear that they are not only doing well, but also how the program helped them. Thank you Maggie for staying connected to the Cabrini Connections' program. We wish you the best of luck as you continue to have success for you and your family!

My name is Maggie Smith and I'm 21 years old. My time at Cabrini Connections was memorable. I enjoyed making friends, having help from my tutor and all the extra activities that Cabrini Connections had to offer. Around the holidays, they really helped for the children in need. Currently I live in Woodstock, IL with 2 children. I graduated from Lincoln Park High School with had participated in JROTC & Band. In JuniorHigh I was on the Track & Field Team, Softball, Cheerleading, Dancing, etc. As for furthering my education I have more than one major that I am interested as in pursuing: Business Administration, Criminal Justice and my favorite Law. I attend Northwestern Business College for a year in 2005 and did wonderful. I still talk about what happiness Cabrini Connections has brought to me in my younger years. I hope that I can enroll my children in tutoring activities as good as Cabrini Connections.

Using Blogs to Tell the Story

2008-02-29T16:19:00.002-06:00

If you are reading this, then I hope you also have taken a moment to read the blogs listed on the right side of this page. For instance, Nicole's Blog has a great article today about how a woman in LA overcame gangs and poverty to create a great life for herself.

I've a collection of blog links in the Tutor/Mentor Connection web site. They offer many insights on poverty, education and uses of technology for learning. I collect these because they inspire my thinking and my actions. I hope you'll read them from time to time and let the ideas stimulate your own actions.

I also hope you'll look for ways to write or contribute to a blog, so you can tell your own story. I've heard many volunteer say "I've gotten more from being a volunteer than the student did." So, write about this. Share this with others. You'll inspire other people to get involved.

We'll hold our annual year in dinner in June, and my hope is that our current students will make an effort to locate our former students (more than 400!) so that we can begin to tell the stories of former students and volunteers.

What are they doing? Are they still connected to a volunteer or mentee? What do they remember from their days in Cabrini Connections, or the Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program at Montgomery Ward? Are they already writing a blog and we just don't know about it?

There are hundreds of tutor/mentor stories taking place every day. They can be inspiring to our current students and volunteers, and to other people thinking about starting tutor/mentor programs.

I hope you'll help us find and tell these stories.

Thank you to Mentors

2008-01-06T08:52:00.000-06:00

January is National Mentoring Month, and a time to thank all of the people who have been mentors to help others in the life journey.

At Cabrini Connections we have nearly 100 volunteers and each deserves thanks for the time they volunteer as tutors/mentors, leaders, fund raisers, board members. It takes this entire team to make a this program work, not just those on the front lines as one-on-one volunteers.

However, as you reflect on National Mentoring Month, I encourage you to read the mentoring stories on the MENTOR web site. Think about all of the people who have mentored you. Our volunteers have been mentored. Our alumni were mentored, and many continue to be mentored by the adults they met when they were young, and by others who they meet now.

Visit the Alumni Update links and you can read stories of former Cabrini Connections students. We'd like to build a list of stories, like on the MENTOR.org web site and can do that if student and alumni will take a moment to submit and article.

I spend several hours every day mentoring people who are trying to build programs similar to Cabrini Connections, as well as the business and professional and university leaders who could do more to support the growth of mentoring, as a career development process, if they were more strategic in the way they use their time, talent and organizational resources.

And, I'm mentored by many people, in Chicago and from around the world, who provide information, ideas, support and friendship.

Thus, we alll have someone to thank as we reflect on what National Mentoring Month means. A writing activity for this week's tutor/mentor sessions at Cabrini Connections might be working with your student to develop a joint essay to thank all of the people who have been mentors to each of you. You can post stories about your mentor on the National Mentoring web site, and you can submit them for this blog.

Happy Mentoring Month to all of you.

Dan Bassill
President
Cabrini Connections
Tutor/Mentor Connection

New Video on Google: The Potion

2007-10-16T08:54:00.000-05:00

One of the more creative videos produced by our Innervision Youth Productions program was titled The Potion. It's star was Tramaine Montel Ford, who since then has graduated from Syracruse University (2006) and began an acting career in New York City. In spring 2007 he had a dancing role in the Hairspray Movie. On h is blog he shows that he got acting start with the Cabrini Connections video project.

We've never had funds for consistent year-to-year staffing of the video program, so much of the work has been organized by volunteers. Jimmy Biggs, a former student, was a driving force in IYP and was taking over as leader in 2000, when he died suddendly from Diabetes. View Jimmy's video "The Real Cabrini" and others at http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=cabrini+connections

Rebecca Parrish has been leading IYP for the past year, as a volunteer. We thank her for creating a digital archive of the past videos and putting them on the Internet.

Since we're in the movie business, we need a producer, who would provide $25,000 to $40,000 per year for a part time or full time leader of the video/arts/technology programs at Cabrini Connections. Because of YouTube and Google Videos, the work that kids and volunteers do can now be distributed throughout the world. This gives much more visibility to a sponsor/financier.

If you know of someone who'd make a multi year commitment to this role, please show them the videos and introduce them to us.

Message from 2001 graduate of Cabrini Connections

2007-09-06T17:40:00.000-05:00

At a recent event Ana Llorens met one of our alumni in a chance encounter. Ana asked her to email us with an introduction and update on her life since Cabrini Connections. Here it is:

Well lets strat off by saying that my name is Akhia L. Plamer and my mentor/friend's name is Karla Van Fleet (used to be Gruenwald). Karla his been a part of my life for over 15 years. This woman has held me through so many satuations in my life and shared smiles, laughter, and tears with me. I am blessed to have a woman like Karla in my life.

As for myself I am an only child. Growing up in Cabrini Green it was just me and my mother. She was a determined parent to make sure that her child didn't get caught into the streets. After graduating from St. Joseph(on Orleans Street in Chicago) I continued my education at St. Scholastica Academy. I graduated two and a half years ago from Northern Illinois Unv. with a BS in Early Childhood Education and I'm planning to persue a teacher certification and maybe a masters in eduaction.

However, I am currently working at St. Vincent DePaul Center as a Pre-K assitant teacher.

It's great to hear from alumni and this shows the long-term bonds that are formed from the matches of volunteers and youth first made at Cabrini Connections or the Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program (which serves 2nd to 6th grade kids prior to coming to Cabrini Connections).

We'd like to here from more of you (including our alumni volunteers). Submit your stories using the form on this web site.

Cabrini Connections Videos on-line

2007-07-23T19:55:00.000-05:00

Since 1996 teens and volunteers from Cabrini Connections have been creating short videos as part of an annual learning and skill development activity. Many of these videos can now be viewed on line at http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=cabrini+connections

These videos include many testimonials about how Cabrini Connections is important to these teens. If you are watching them and want to volunteer to help current teens create similar videos, or are willing to be a sponsor to help provide the money needed to pay for space, equipment and staff, email tutormentor2@earthlink.net and introduce yourself.

Cabrini Connections student alum on Today Show

2007-07-18T14:00:00.000-05:00

I received an email today from Tramaine Ford, who was part of Cabrini Connections in the late 1990s while in Junior High and High School. He told me that he's in the new "Hairspray" movie and will be on the Today Show this Friday, July 20. Here's what he wrote;

"I will be performing with the cast this Friday July 20th on The Today Show. I will be dancing and singing with the Hairspray cast throught the show as well as dancing in a number with Queen Latifah at the end. It comes on NBC this Friday morning if you or anyone from Cabrini Connections wants to tune in to The Today Show performances or wants to go see the movie, it also comes out that day. I would appreciate the support greatly. I am definitely a spokesperson for CC and will continue to explore how I can support the program's longevity and success."

In another email he told me more about his part in the movie: " In the movie, I'm in a number called lady's choice with Zach Efron. This number is also on itunes and the disney channel as a music video for the film. "

Tramaine got his start in acting as part of the video group at Cabrini Connections. We'll be posting one of the video projets he stared in on YouTube soon. However, here's another video done by our kids:

We'll be holding our annual golf benefit tomorrow to raise money to fund our 2007-08 Cabrini Connections. Maybe one of the new 7th graders will be our next Tramaine. If you can make a donation to help, that can be possible. Visit http://www.cabrinitmcgolf.org to learn more.

Dan Bassill
President
Cabrini Connections
Tutor/Mentor Connection
http://tutormentor.blogspot.com

Cabrini Connections 15th Annual Year End Dinner

2007-06-20T13:06:00.000-05:00

On June 8th, 2007 Cabrini Connections celebrated its 15th year end dinner. More than 180 teens, alumni, parents, volunteers and supporters attended. The event was sponsored by a donation from the law firm of Schiff Hardin, and by donations of many different individuals. We thank you all.

The dinner celebrates the year long work of our students and volunteers and recognizes 2007 high school graduates, as well as alumni who are in college, or who have already graduated. Rising 12th graders were hosts of the event. Above is a photo of students from the writing club, doing a performance telling about attending the play, The Color Purple.

Pictured above is Jabar Norman, a 2007 high school graduate, who will attend the University of Iowa in the fall. Jabar has been part of the program for six years. For many of those years he worked with Ted Bills, who now supports Jabar and Cabrini Connections from a different city where he now works.

This illustrates the goal of Cabrini Connections. While we introduce students and volunteers to each other during one to six years with the program, we want to help them stay connected, and continue helping each other, for the rest of their lives.

If you'd like to make a donation to support this program, send your contribution to Cabrini Connections, 800 W. Huron, Chicago, Il. 60622

Alumni Update: Tramaine Ford

2007-05-31T15:31:00.000-05:00

Tramaine was a student at Cabrini Connections from 1995 to 2000. He sends the following message:

I hope all is well. Wish I was able to tell you sooner, but I was recently in Chicago. I flew out there to be on The Oprah Show. I was very lucky to perform with the cast of Hairspray The Movie on Oprah live this past Wednesday May 16th. It was an amazing experience and a dream come true. I was only in town for three days and I was very busy and didnt get to tell everyone that I would have liked to tell so they could tune in. However Im sure the show will re-air. Since I didn't have the opportunity to tell her, I plan on writing Oprah a letter of thanks.

Alumni Update: Kenneth Chatman

2007-05-30T14:19:00.000-05:00

Kenneth graduated from the program last year and still visits us here at Cabrini Connections quite often.

Here's Kenneth's update on his life:

"Although I am supposed to be in school right now, i'm not. I've decided to rest for a while but i didn't give up on opportunity. Right now i'm working for the Cabrini Green Rowhouse housing for Urban Property Avisors. You can say i'm still in school because i'm learning how to repair things that are broken such as doors or locks, and/or other things that are required as a maintenance technician."

Alumni Update: Demetris Smith

2007-04-20T12:15:00.000-05:00

Demetris Smith, a graduate from the Cabrini Connections program last year, sent us the following message:

Right now I am currently working at two law firms, one of them is Alfred T. Whiters, Modupe A. Sobo, Denise M. Mercherson, and Bonita Coleman & Associates. The other one is Ainsworths & Associates, P.C. They are both located downtown in the loop. I also go to Harold Washington College,which is also in the loop, where I plan to go long enough to get credits in order to transfer to a four year university.

I started going to CC in my freshmen year of high school. Since then CC, along with my mentor Brian, has kept me focused on my goals. I have to admit though my grades in school didn't reflect my potential, but I didn't stray too far behind. Even though I go to a community college I'm still not satisfied. Someone asked me "Why not, isnt' that good enough?" I said yeah, but I don't like to settle for good enough, I'm trying out for great.

Want to leave a note for Demetris? Leave a comment below!

Are you a graduate of the program and want to tell us what you are up to now? Use this form

Alumni Update: James Golliday

2006-10-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

( reposted from Cabrini Connections website)

My name is James Golliday and I'm a former participant of the Montgomery Wards Tutoring Program. This was the original program before Cabrini Connections. This is a message for anybody from Cabrini Green who participated in either program as a child. This tutor/mentor program provided many of us the knowledge and opportunity to be successful in life. It was hard enough growing up in Cabrini with all the gangs, drugs and other violence we had to endure. Personally, I was happy when Tuesday and Wednesday came around because I knew for at least two hours I was going to a place where someone cared about my life and wanted to help me. I tried to maintain perfect attendance just so I could participate in the field trips. Cabrini tutoring program gave us an opportunity to go places we probably would never have visited as a child. The Chistmas and Halloween parties helped out many children who were less fortunate than others during a Christmas and Halloween. After leaving the program I served four years in the United States Marine Corps. After being discharged from the Marine Corps, I returned home and enrolled in college. I will be receiving my Bachelor's of Arts in Social Science and Secondary Education in May of 2003 and I will be attending Northeastern Illinois University in the fall for grad school. Currently, I'm student teaching at Jones College Prep High School. I mentioned my brief biography because the success I have achieved I owe not only to my family, but to the Cabrini Tutoring Program. There are many of you who have achieved the same amount of success. As alumni, we need to start networking to make sure this program doesn't fold. Dan (President of Cabrini Connections) will not be around for ever, and who better to take over the program than those who went through the program. Yes, this is a cry for help. Alumni, please don't forget where your roots are.

Alumni Update: Alicia Hall

2006-10-19T11:18:00.000-05:00

(reposted from Cabrini Connections website)

My name is Alicia Hall. I am 20 years old and I am recently finished my sophmore year at Northeastern Illinois University. I started at Cabrini Connections in 1997 when I was in eighth grade. My mentor's name was Laurie Streeter. In 2001 I received the Golden Apple Scholarship for students who aspire to become teachers. It is a four year scholarship ($28,000) which requires me to graduate college within four years an commit to teaching in a school of need for at least five years. The program also provides me with guidance throughout my four years of college and will help with job placement once I graduate.

When I first met my tutor/mentor, Laurie, I was a quiet and shy young lady whose mind was never made up. I was not doing ok in school, but not as well as I could have been. Laurie helped me to reach my true potential and get the grades that I should have been getting all along. Moving on to high school Laurie continued to work with me soon becoming more of a mentor and a friend than a tutor. Laurie and I worked together all through my high school years. We kept in touch when she had to work in New York for a few months. I even got to fly out and visit for a weekend. During my senior year we visited a few colleges together and she helped me with the applications. She also helped me with my application and essays for the Golden Apple Scholarship. In June of 2001, I graduated from Lane Technical High School. Laurie was also there at my graduation. Laurie played a big role in my success through high school and I think that it would have been hard to finish without her help, advice, and piece of mind. To this day Laurie and I still keep in touch. Every now and then we go out for lunch or dinner, just to catch up on what has been going on in our lives.

Cabrini Connections has also played a large role in my success up to this day. The program has provided me with so many great opportunities. Since 1998, I have been a staff member at Cabrini Connections. I was also lucky to attend a trip to Ireland for two weeks. Although the trip was sponsored through another foundation, I would have never heard about the trip, applied for the trip, or did the things I needed to do to prepare for international travel if it were not for Cabrini Connections. The staff (Gena) helped a lot with that. I also attended a trip to Aspen Colorado for two weeks. These are two things I know I would have never done, at least at that age, if I were not a part of Cabrini Connections.

To this day I can look back at the experiences that I have had and say that I would have never had them if it were not for Cabrini Connections. I have met many people and done many things and I thank Cabrini Connections and its staff for giving me so many wonderful opportunities.