About
Chicago Scholars is a one-of-a-kind 7-year mentoring and leadership development program equipping many of Chicago’s brightest and most driven students from under-resourced communities with the tools and mindsets they need to realize their college-to-career dreams and return following graduation to the city to become its top leaders of tomorrow. The program’s foundational pillars are education, mentorship and leadership. Through programming in these areas across a seven year period, the organization helps ensure its Scholars realize their full potential as students and leaders. To learn more or volunteer to become a mentor, visit www.chicagoscholars.org.
Only 14 percent of 9th graders currently enrolled in Chicago Public Schools will graduate with a 4-year degree in less than six years. Nationwide, only 9 percent of those living in poverty will graduate with a college degree by age 25. The city of Chicago and its youth deserve better. For students involved in Chicago Scholars, this number is 88 percent. The organization is a working solution that helps ambitious and talented but under-resourced first-generation students and young professionals reach their potential through strategic mentorship and leadership development. Post-college, Scholars often return to their communities as working professionals, creating an unparalleled workforce that accurately reflects our diverse society and positively transforms Chicago’s neighborhoods.
