UMN
Mentorship
Urban Male Network is dedicated to empowering young men of color through transformative mentorship. Our programs combine academic guidance, life-skills training, and real-world experiences to help youth navigate challenges and achieve their full potential. By pairing students with caring adults and offering enriching activities year-round, we create a community where every participant can learn, lead, and thrive.
Mentorship is at
The Heart of UMN
When professionals share their knowledge and lived experiences, mentees gain the confidence, resilience, and networks needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. From in-school support on Chicago’s West and South Sides to weekend workshops and summer explorations, our holistic approach ensures consistent, meaningful engagement.
Who is a
UMN Mentor?
As a UMN mentor, you’ll serve as a trusted advisor—listening actively, asking thoughtful questions, and guiding mentees as they set and pursue personal, academic, and career goals. We look for reliable role models who can commit time each month, provide constructive feedback, and model leadership. Getting started is simple: create a mentor profile, complete the short application, and pass a background check for the safety of our youth. In return, you’ll gain the satisfaction of shaping the next generation of leaders and joining a powerful network of professionals and changemakers.
Become a
UMN Mentee
Young men who join UMN gain far more than a mentor—they enter a supportive ecosystem designed around their growth. Whether it’s one-on-one coaching, in-school guidance, Saturday workshops on leadership and financial literacy, after-school enrichment in music or gaming, or eye-opening summer field trips, every experience is crafted to build confidence, skills, and opportunity. Mentees receive personalized goal-setting, access to internships and jobs, and a community that celebrates their successes while helping them overcome obstacles on the path to adulthood.
