The Parent Engagement Institute (PEI), a partnership between Palenque LSNA and Southwest Organizing Project, is looking for community organization and school partnerships in Illinois to apply to start the Parent Mentor Program in their local public schools. PEI anticipates the average grant amount would be at least $104,000 to start up and run a Parent Mentor Program in two schools, with a cohort of six to eight parent mentors in each school during the 2025-26 school year.
Parent mentors volunteer one-on-one and in small groups with students in classrooms for two hours/day for at least 200 hours. Parent mentors access weekly professional development on instructional practices, leadership and career opportunities, mentoring from a teacher, and stipends. Parent mentors support each other within their cohort to pursue their dreams and unite their school community for long-term change. For more information, please visit the Parent Engagement Institute website.
The application deadline is Aug. 1. PEI recently offered an informational session on Zoom. The slide deck, recording of the info session, and all application materials are available on the Parent Engagement Institute website.
If you have questions, please email Adriana Velazquez at avelazquez@swopchicago.org or Bridget Murphy at bmurphy@palenquelsna.org.