LINK Unlimited Takes Center Stage During National Mentoring Month in January

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- During January, the National Mentoring Partnership is focusing attention on organizations like Chicago's LINK Unlimited, where 300 Chicago business and professional leaders provide financial support and are very engaged and involved with their mentees to help ensure the academic success of these promising African American high school students. LINK Unlimited, Chicago's highest performing and most experienced African American scholarship and mentoring program, has for more than a decade held the unprecedented track record of placing 100% of its graduates into college, many of which are the nation's top tier colleges.

President Barack Obama kicked off National Mentoring Month by noting, "Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood.  By setting positive examples and sharing their time, knowledge and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our nation's youth for a bright future."

In Chicago, each LINK Unlimited student receives a scholarship to one of the city's top private college preparatory high schools and is assigned a personal mentor from Chicago's professional community who coaches, advises and motivates the students toward opportunities they may otherwise not have considered. 

Mentors in the LINK Unlimited program include individuals like Philip Suse, Managing Partner, North American Region of Baker and McKenzie law firm, All Pro, former Chicago Bear Jerry Azumah, Amy Gordon, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery, and David Neithercut, CEO and President of Equity Residential, all of whom have served as LINK mentors to multiple African American students. "Our firm has been committed to this program since 1966," says Suse.  "We find our relationships with LINK scholars to be just as rewarding for our employees as they are for the students," Suse said.  Anna Harris, a LINK scholar, said, "My mentor has introduced me to the life I can have if I work hard in school.  I get a lot of my drive from being around her and being constantly encouraged by her."

National Mentoring Month (NMM) highlights mentoring and the positive impact it can have on young lives. Spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service, the national celebration was launched in 2002. Their research shows that formal one-to-one mentoring relationships are successful in promoting positive outcomes such as improved self-esteem, social skills and knowledge of career opportunities. Conversely, these relationships reduce the incidence of delinquency, substance use and academic failure among the mentees. LINK Unlimited mentors and mentees share unique experiences all year long.  During January, mentoring pairs attended the Chicago Sinfonietta's MLK Day Concert at Symphony Center.

ABOUT LINK Unlimited

LINK Unlimited is Chicago's highest performing and most experienced high school scholarship and mentoring program providing underserved, high potential African American students with a comprehensive and rigorous educational support system that turns promising youth into academic achievers and, more importantly, significantly enhances their chances of securing meaningful careers and becoming future leaders in our society

The program provides the students scholarships to highly competitive private college preparatory high schools and assigns each a one-to-one mentor from Chicago's business and professional community.  These mentors coach, advise and motivate the scholars to aspire to opportunities they otherwise would not have considered. For the last decade, 100% of LINK Unlimited graduates have achieved the academic skills and interpersonal skills necessary for admission to top tier four-year colleges and universities, and ultimately a lifetime of success.  Founded in 1966, LINK Unlimited has transformed the lives of 1,700 students.  It is the oldest, most comprehensive and successful educational support program of its kind.  www.linkunlimited.org

Contact:

Mark A. Nystuen
312-280-8727
[email protected]

SOURCE LINK Unlimited