Partnership To Educate and Advance Kids (PEAK)

PEAK has been providing at-risk Chicago students with the opportunity to rise above their current stations in life and reach their full potential through a four-year scholarship to a Catholic high school and a four-year commitment from a caring adult mentor who will walk with them every day through high school graduation.  If you have ever read a story about the violence in Chicago and just shook your head wondering what could be done, please consider being part of a proven solution and make a donation to this campaign.  I can assure you that your donation will directly impact the life of a Chicago student who wants nothing more than a chance to better themselves and who is hungry a quality Catholic education and an adult role model to stick with them throughout this transformative period of their life.

I have named this the "ladder campaign" because working as a federal prosecutor in Chicago prosecuting violent crimes and serving as a mentor and Board Member with PEAK for the past 8 years, I have seen first hand how important it is to offer young men and women an opportunity to climb up and above where many people expect them to be in life.  I believe there is no better "ladder" than providing these young men and women with a quality Catholic education and an adult mentor to ensure they have a way to succeed and escape the pitfalls that entrap many Chicago youth.  

On behalf of all the current and future PEAK scholars, I thank you for any donation you can make today.

Sincerely,

Chris Parente

Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids - PEAK provides adult mentoring and full high school scholarships to deserving inner city high school students who would otherwise not get this opportunity.

Check out PEAK!

Mentoring is an essential component of the program, including a number of joint student mentor events that provide our scholars access to new experiences and deepens the relationship with their mentors. All PEAK scholars attend Holy Trinity High School, our education partner. The PEAK experience is truly life changing for Chicago's most at risk youth.

YOUR GIFTS WILL HELP TO DEFRAY APRIL 16th EVENT COSTS

Check out the April 16th event plan!

Each year, PEAK organizes a series of Saturday events to help our mentor-mentee community bond and experience life and our great city together over their 4-year journey. Over the past 17 years, the group of 50-90 have experienced motivational workshops of all kinds, roamed around all of Chicago's museums, explored neighborhoods thru walking tours, took the Architectural Foundation Boat Cruise with one of our own mentors as docent, cooked together at the Chopping Block, played with Comedy Sportz, danced together (or tried) in Zumba class, eaten fare from around the world, cleaned up at Misercordia, toured our local colleges, gingerly stepped out onto the ledge at Willis Tower, eaten way too much pizza, been exposed to careers, social/business etiquette classes, bowled with Off The Street Club Kids....it goes on and on!

The costs of buses, workshop fees, entrance/ticket fees, speaker stipends, lunches and more are covered 100% by PEAK through donations and fundraising.

On April 16th, STRAYBOOTS will guide the group through a scavenger hunt competition. Beginning at Daley Plaza, in teams they will visit historic and iconic sites, skyscrapers and sculptures all around the Chicago Loop in a race against time.  For many of our students, this will be their first experience in this part of the city.  

The total cost for this event will be close to $3000. PEAK would be incredibly grateful for any donations that will assist in covering the event cost.   Your gifts of $10, $25, $500 and everything in between will all make a tremendous impact!

On behalf of our PEAK scholars, THANK YOU!