Our building is closed today and until further notice because of water damage. Access Living staff is working remotely. Look for more updates to be posted here as they become available.

Youth Mentoring

 

Mary Lee Ahern

DJMC & YIELD Coordinator

mahern@accessliving.org

(312) 640-2119

The Disability Justice Mentoring Collective (DJMC)

Access Living’s award-winning youth mentoring program is called the Disability Justice Mentoring Collective (DJMC), and it connects young people who have disabilities with adult mentors.

A man and teenager pose for a selfie together.
Through DJMC, young people make connections, build their independence, and explore new skills.

Make connections, build independence, & explore new skills

  • DJMC is for young people with disabilities aged 12-24 who live in the North Central area of Chicago:
    • North Central Chicago includes the following neighborhood areas: Edgewater, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, the Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side, North Center, Rogers Park, Uptown, and West Ridge
  • Mentors are adults with or without disabilities who volunteer their time
  • DJMC is a year-long commitment for both mentors and mentees, although many continue to participate after that year is up
  • Both mentees and mentors must fill out the appropriate paperwork linked on this page and meet with the DJMC Coordinator before coming to their first meeting.
  • Mentors and mentees agree to attend DJMC meetings throughout the month, about four hours total. Right now we’re meeting once monthly for about four hours, though this is subject to change.

How do I get a mentor?

Well, to join DJMC as a mentee, visit the mentee application page! To participate as a mentee you must:

  • Have a disability*
  • Be between 12 and 24 years of age
  • Live in the North Central Chicago, which includes the following neighborhood areas: Edgewater, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, the Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side, North Center, Rogers Park, Uptown, and West Ridge
    • Here is a map where you can check to see if your address is in North Central Chicago by typing your address into the search box on the left-hand side.
    • On the map, North Central Chicago is shown in red. You can also click on the different sections of the map and the name of the area will appear by your cursor.

*Youth with all kinds of disabilities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Visit the mentee application page and start your paperwork online, download and fill out the paperwork in the ‘Resources’ section of this page, or send an email to our Youth Team

We’ll contact you with next steps. Sometimes it can take a little while before we can pair you with a mentor. Please be patient. We do our best to find you a mentor match quickly. Once we have processed your paperwork and you have met with the DJMC Coordinator, you’re welcome to attend the monthly DJMC meetings at Access Living even if you haven’t been paired with a mentor yet.

A young woman and a teenage girl posing for a picture together in front of "The Bean".
A DJMC mentoring pair snap a selfie in front of The Bean in downtown Chicago.

How can I volunteer to be a mentor?

Mentors are in high demand, and if you’d like to become one, we’d love to have you join DJMC! Here’s where you can fill out the mentor application online. To be a mentor you must:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Pass a fingerprint background check
  • Complete mandated reporter training
  • Meet with the DJMC coordinator for a virtual or in-person interview.
  • Use and honor disability-positive language and respectfully interact with people from all walks of life
  • Commit to participating in the DJMC program for one year
  • To get started, visit the mentor application page and start your paperwork online, download and fill out the paperwork in the ‘Resources’ section of this page, or send an email to our Youth Team

DJMC group meetings

Mentors and mentees agree to attend monthly DJMC meetings. Right now we’re meeting once monthly for four hours, though this is subject to change. We meet at Access Living and occasionally in other community locations.