The Parent Mentor Program (PMP) is one of the most powerful things a parent can do for their child's school — and for themselves. Parent Mentors close persistent equity gaps by volunteering in classrooms for at least 2 hours a day, for a minimum of 100 hours throughout the school year.

It is not just volunteering. Parent Mentors receive weekly training in classroom instructional practices and leadership development, building skills that extend far beyond the school building. They support one another, grow together, and become a unified force for long-term change in their school communities.

South Side Help Center is proud to lead the Parent Engagement Institute at Marcus Garvey, Metcalfe, Mount Vernon, and Esmond Elementary Schools — a partnership with Palenque LSNA and Southwest Organizing Project. 

South Side Help Center has partnered with Google to bring free Career Certificate scholarships directly to our community. This is workforce development with no barriers — no degree required, no prior experience needed, and no cost through our scholarship program.

Designed by Google, this self-paced online training prepares you for careers in high-growth, high-demand fields. With under 10 hours of study per week, you can be ready for a new career in under six months — and connect directly with over 150 top U.S. employers upon completion.

There are over 2.4 million job openings across Google Certificate fields right now — and the demand keeps growing. This is your on-ramp.

The R.I.S.E. Community Health Worker Academy is a comprehensive training program that prepares community members to serve as frontline health advocates for the people and neighborhoods around them. If you are passionate about community health and want to make a tangible difference in people’s lives — this program is for you.

Training combines hands-on learning with expert-led instruction, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to provide meaningful health support in their communities. Participants who complete all program requirements may be eligible to receive a $500 stipend.

Participants who complete all training requirements may be eligible for a $500 stipend. For more information, contact us at chwinfo@southsidehelp.org

The EngagED Parents Summit is our signature annual gathering — a full-scale community event designed to equip parents with the strategies, connections, and inspiration they need to show up powerfully for their children and their schools.

Each Summit brings together parents, educators, community leaders, and advocates around the things that matter most: youth safety, school readiness, and effective parenting practices. Expect panels, workshops, raffles, and real talk from voices you trust.

The EngagED Parent Workshops are a running series of expert-led sessions designed to give parents the knowledge, tools, and confidence to actively shape their child’s educational journey. We believe that informed and engaged parents are the cornerstone of a child’s success — and these workshops are where that belief becomes practice.

Sessions cover the full range of what modern parenting actually looks like — from navigating school systems to supporting mental health, from digital safety to college readiness. Every workshop is designed to be practical, honest, and immediately useful.

Access to healthy food is a basic human right. South Side Help Center’s weekly Food Pantry is our commitment to making sure that right is real for every family in our community — regardless of income, background, or circumstances.

Each week we distribute fresh produce, proteins, and essential food items to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity on the Far South Side. We know that food insecurity does not just affect physical health — it affects mental health, academic performance, and a family’s ability to show up fully in every other part of life. That is why this program is not an add-on. It is part of our core mission.

The Food Pantry is open to all community residents who need support. There are no hoops to jump through — just a warm, welcoming space where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.