A Constant Presence: Tutoring Chicago

On a weekday afternoon, tutoring does not look dramatic.

It looks like two people sitting side by side. A notebook open. A problem worked through slowly. A conversation that might drift briefly to a soccer game, a test coming up, or something that happened earlier in the day.

That consistency sits at the center of the partnership between Union League Boys & Girls Clubs and Tutoring Chicago.

Tutoring Chicago has been part of the city’s education landscape for more than 60 years, quietly matching students with one-to-one tutors who commit for the long term. Many of those relationships last for years, sometimes more than a decade. The work is structured and intentional, but at its core, it is about showing up week after week for the same child.

Sandy Marek, Executive Director of Tutoring Chicago, understands that commitment personally. She is not only leading the organization. She is also a tutor herself.

“I’m in my third year with my student,” she shared. “His grades have improved, but more than that, his confidence has grown. He feels better about himself. And that changes everything.”

Tutoring Chicago’s model pairs students with consistent adult mentors who support academic learning while also building social and emotional skills. Tutors follow a structured curriculum that includes reading, math, and social emotional learning, but the relationships are flexible enough to respond to what students need in the moment.

“There are days we focus on a test or homework,” Sandy said. “And there are days when something else is clearly weighing on him, and we talk through that instead. Both matter.”

That balance has been central to the success of the pilot program launched at Union League Boys & Girls Clubs’ Club One site. The program filled quickly, attendance has remained strong, and a waiting list has already formed. For Sandy, those early indicators reflect a program that is working.

“When attendance is strong, it tells you students feel safe, supported, and engaged,” she explained.

The partnership itself was built with intention. Leaders from both organizations worked closely to ensure alignment, accountability, and shared expectations. Tutoring Chicago brings deep expertise in one-to-one tutoring. Union League Boys & Girls Clubs brings trusted relationships, safe spaces, and a broader ecosystem of support for youth and families.

Together, the result extends beyond tutoring alone.

Students participating in the program are also joining the Club community, gaining access to enrichment, mentorship, and a place to belong. For families, the partnership creates continuity. For students, it creates stability.

Sandy often describes tutoring as both academic support and mentoring. Many tutors stay with the same student for years, attending graduations, performances, and milestones along the way.

At a recent Tutoring Chicago event, a long-time tutor stood up to speak about the student he had worked with since first grade. After more than a decade together, he was stepping away because his family was relocating. As he spoke, emotion filled the room. By the time he finished, there were few dry eyes.

The relationship did not end when tutoring did. He still sends photos. He still checks in. He still shows up when he can.

Moments like that capture what this work means, not only for students, but for the adults who commit to them.

For young people facing challenges outside the classroom, that consistent adult presence can be transformative. Sandy is clear that academic growth does not happen in isolation.

“If kids are dealing with food insecurity, housing instability, or trauma, education can’t come first,” she said. “But when they have an adult who believes in them and shows up consistently, that builds confidence and resilience. Then learning can follow.”

Looking ahead, both organizations see opportunity to expand the program to additional Club sites. The model is scalable, but it requires continued investment, committed tutors, and strong partnerships.

“There is no shortage of students who need support,” Sandy noted. “The challenge is finding enough tutors and funding to reach them.”

Corporate partners play an important role in making that growth possible, supporting the work through funding, employee volunteers, and engagement that extends beyond the classroom.

For Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, the partnership with Tutoring Chicago reflects a broader commitment to meeting students where they are and surrounding them with caring, consistent adults who believe in their potential.

This is not a short-term intervention. It is a relationship built over time, shaped by trust, presence, and the quiet power of showing up.

Sometimes, that is what changes everything.