A Ladies of Virtue mentor works with a group of girls. (WTTW News)

In her sophomore year of college, Jamila Trimuel became a mentor. In 2011, she started her own organization, Ladies of Virtue, which offers mentorship and support to girls ages 9-18.

(WTTW News)

If you needed to build a business, how quickly could you pull together a plan? What if you had to do it without access to the internet? These men did just that – in an atypical setting. Here’s how.

Brendan Taylor
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Solving the epidemic of gun violence in Chicago is an unrelenting challenge. We learn about CRED, a program that wants Chicago’s business community to see it as a problem it can – and should – help stem.

Keya Trammell

Sometimes, the very thing that brings a person the most trouble in life can become a source of joy and inspiration. Meet local singer – and mentor – Keya Trammell.

A new book by a Chicago community activist and mentor explains how cities can become safer and more equitable, and why we all have a stake in our neighborhoods. 

Brittney Shepherd, left, Kelly Fair, center, and Tara Campbell, right, of mentoring program Polished Pebbles. (Maya Miller / Chicago Tonight)

Young women from Chicago’s South and West Sides can face the same roadblocks as young men, but their struggles often go unnoticed. How one mentoring program is communicating its message to girls—and teaching self-expression.

In an effort to curb violence, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has directed resources to expand mentoring programs in Chicago Public Schools. A new effort is targeting young men and women who aren’t in school.

(Brandis Friedman / Chicago Tonight)

No longer just for the boys, a popular mentoring program is now making sure girls aren’t being left behind.

The mayor makes mentoring programs a centerpiece of his anti-violence strategy. How much impact could they have?

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A new study finds a program that works with at-risk young men in Chicago reduced overall arrests in the group by 35 percent, violent crime arrests by 50 percent and boosted on-time high school graduation for participants by 19 percent.

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It sounds simple: slow down and make better choices. Most of us don't do that as well as we could, but researchers are studying how the simple act of slowing down can reduce crime. Brandis Friedman has the story.

A video made by a group of young Chicago filmmakers is an official selection of the 2015 White House Student Film Festival. It was one of 15 selected from 1,500 entries and it will be honored at the White House on Friday.

New research shows that the combination of mentoring and intensive tutoring can make up for three years' worth of lost learning for 9th and 10th grade boys who were previously at risk of dropping out down the road. Brandis Friedman has the story. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

We take a look at a hip-hop music program that helps kids strengthen their voice and discover the power of the written word. Read an interview.

New Teacher Center is an organization that teaches teachers how to sidestep the pitfalls of early career burnout. Read a web article and watch an extended interview with Ellen Moir, founder and CEO of the organization, who is working to battle the teacher retention crisis in America.

Courtesy: Becoming A Man
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Promising Sports Program Cuts Violent Crime Arrests for Students

Can playing sports like archery and handball cut down violent crimes among students? A new study shows some dramatic -- and positive -- results.