Midtown Center is looking for mature college men who have an interest in working with young people and the capacity to be strong role models as advisors for young men.

Advisors play a critical part in the success of Midtown’s programs by encouraging the kids to improve not only their approach to studying, but also their character, sportsmanship, and willingness to serve others, especially family and friends. 

Three ways to invest your time helping Chicagos' inner-city kids:

1. Teachers: these are volunteers who teach the academic classes, i.e. PSAT prep., ACT prep. etc. Although usually teachers are paid, Jorge Pena (Associate Principal at De La Salle HS), has volunteered for many years as the instructor for the college preparation seminar for seniors. Thus, teachers are those who have both an extensive understanding of the material covered, and are able to communicate and manage high school aged students in an academic setting.

2. Club Volunteers: These are volunteers who instruct and lead club activities such as Business, Photography, Chess and Robotics/Flight Simulator. Because these clubs are not run in the traditional academic lecture format, instructors have more experience in their specialized fields of study or work, than they would in education. For example, Raul Espinoza (Mechanical Engineer for Navistar International) and Luke Orland (Electrical Engineer for Big Monster Toys) instruct the Robotics/Flight Simulator club.

3. Advisors: Advising is a highly specialized volunteering option. Advisors meet with three to five students on a weekly basis, and through individual attention tackle academic, social and/or personal goals set by the advisors, students and families. Typically, these are individuals who have known Midtown for many years, and are keenly aware of the mission and purpose of Midtown as an institution that fosters interior formation. Advisors are not necessarily Catholic by practice or belief, but at a very minimum must respect the Catholic social and spiritual teachings on which Midtown was founded on.