Where Youth Rise with Mentorship, Strength & Purpose
PLYM Chicago
PLYM Chicago (Parents Love Youth Mentors) offers life-changing programs for youth ages 8 to 17, focusing on mentorship, anger management, and character development.
Where Every Youth Shines Bright with Purpose
PLYM Chicago was founded in 2025 with a mission to uplift and empower youth through transformative mentorship, anger management, and character development programs. Our mentors provide a safe and supportive space for young people to grow emotionally and develop essential life skills. We are dedicated to fostering a community where every youth feels valued, heard, and supported on their journey towards personal growth and success. Through our innovative programs, we aim to instill confidence, resilience, and leadership qualities in the youth we serve, preparing them to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose. Our commitment to holistic development ensures that each individual receives the guidance and tools they need to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Our Mission
At Parents Love Youth Mentors (PLYM), we’re on a mission to uplift and empower youth ages 8–17 through transformative mentorship, anger management, and character development programs. Many of the youth we serve face real-life challenges—trauma, absent fathers, and behavioral health struggles—that can leave them feeling lost or unheard. At PLYM, we provide a safe, supportive space where young people feel seen, valued, and believed in. Our mentors are more than role models — they are guides, listeners, and champions, helping youth navigate life’s hardest moments with strength, purpose, and resilience. Through compassionate, consistent guidance, we help kids build emotional control, self-confidence, and leadership skills that last a lifetime. Because at PLYM… Parents love. Youth grow. Mentors change lives. Ready to be part of the transformation?
Guiding Youth Towards a Brighter Future with Purpose
Our Services
We offer a comprehensive range of programs designed to empower and uplift youth through mentorship, emotional support, and skill-building initiatives. Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where young individuals can explore their potential, build resilience, and develop the necessary tools to navigate life’s complexities with confidence and purpose. Through our innovative approach to character development and emotional wellness, we strive to equip youth with the skills they need to thrive in both personal and academic spheres. Our programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of each participant, fostering a sense of belonging, growth, and self-discovery within a supportive community.
Based in Chicago. Rooted in Community. Built for Impact.
PLYM Chicago is more than a program—it’s a family of mentors, advocates, and leaders all committed to seeing our youth shine.
🚌 After-school and weekend sessions
🎨 Engaging activities, real-world skills
💬 Safe spaces for open expression
📚 Support for school, family, and future goals
Mentorship That Matters – “Peer Light”
Caring adult mentors walk alongside youth, providing positive role models, emotional support, and motivation to stay on track. Whether it’s a tough week or a big win, we’re there.
Anger Management Support – “Power Over Pressure”
We help youth recognize their emotions, manage stress, and respond to conflict with strength and calm. These hands-on sessions build tools that last a lifetime.
Character & Leadership Development – “Building Bright Futures”
Through creative workshops, group talks, and service projects, kids learn values like respect, empathy, and responsibility—and become the leaders we know they can be.
Building Resilient Leaders, One Youth at a Time
What Sets Us Apart
At PLYM Chicago, we bring together over a decade of combined experience in youth development, mentoring, trauma-informed care, emotional wellness, and community engagement. Our leadership and team have worked hands-on with at-risk youth, school-based programs, and family-centered services throughout the Chicago area.
👤 Founder’s Experience
Dionne Mitchell, Founder, is a certified anger management specialist, youth mentor, and trauma-informed care advocate. With years of experience working directly with children, teens, and families navigating emotional and behavioral challenges, Dionne has facilitated:
- Youth anger management and self-regulation workshops
- Individual and small-group mentoring programs
- Character-building and leadership training for teens
- Family communication and emotional support sessions
She has also partnered with local schools, community centers, and parent groups to provide accessible, culturally aware resources for underserved youth.
👤Her Co- Founder Nakia Williams
💼 Organizational Experience
Though officially founded in 2023, PLYM Chicago’s programs are built on a strong foundation of real-world practice and field-tested approaches that:
- Align with best practices in trauma-informed youth support
- Incorporate principles from CASEL’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) framework
- Emphasize culturally relevant mentoring rooted in empathy, respect, and resilience
The organization is guided by leaders who have experience in:
- Nonprofit program management
- Juvenile diversion and restorative practices
- Community organizing and parent engagement
- Youth advocacy and leadership training
🔍 In Short:
We know the youth.
We know the community.
We know what works—and we’re here to make a difference.
Heart-Centered Mentorship That Feels Like Family
We match kids with mentors who get it—not just academically, but emotionally. Our mentors aren’t just volunteers, they’re consistent, caring role models who build deep, lasting connections.
Real Talk, Real Skills: Anger Management with Impact
We go beyond lectures. Our “Power Over Pressure” program is interactive, relatable, and grounded in emotional awareness—giving youth real tools for real situations.
We Build Character from the Inside Out
Our workshops don’t just teach leadership—they grow it. We focus on integrity, empathy, goal-setting, and resilience, so kids leave empowered, not just informed.
Trauma-Informed, Strength-Based Approach
We meet youth where they are, not where we expect them to be. Our programs are designed for kids who’ve seen and survived a lot—and are ready to rise.
Rooted in Chicago. Built for Local Impact.
We’re from the community and for the community. Every program is built with local voices in mind—so it’s not just helpful, it’s relevant.
Get to know us
The Heart Behind PLYM Chicago
(Parents Love Youth Mentors)
It all started with a deep truth:
Our kids are hurting—but they’re not hopeless.
Growing up in Chicago, Dionne Mitchell saw firsthand how many young people were struggling—not because they lacked potential, but because they lacked support, structure, and someone who truly believed in them.
After working with youth for years as a certified anger management and trauma-informed mentor, Dionne kept hearing the same quiet cries behind tough attitudes and withdrawn silence:
“I just need someone to talk to.”
“Nobody really gets me.”
“I’m trying—but it’s hard.”
That’s when she knew—something had to change.
So in 2025, Dionne launched PLYM Chicago with one bold mission:
To build a loving, consistent, and empowering space where kids ages 8–17 could grow emotionally, learn how to handle life’s challenges, and discover who they are meant to be.
💫 Why the Name “Parents Love Youth Mentors”?
Because PLYM believes it takes a village—and that mentors are not a replacement for parents, but a powerful extension of the love and support every child deserves.
We’re here to bridge the gaps, build up families, and help youth rise above whatever life throws their way.
🌟 Today, PLYM Chicago is:
- Mentoring dozens of youth through one-on-one and group connections
- Teaching real-life skills like emotional regulation and conflict resolution
- Helping kids step into their full potential with confidence and character
- Partnering with families, schools, and communities to create lasting change
Let’s Connect💬
Reach out to PLYM Chicago today to learn more about our programs and how we can support the youth in our community.
Location: 1 East Erie St Suite 525 | Chicago, IL 60628
Email: Info.dionneplymmentorship@gmail.com | Nakiawilliams.plymmentorship@gmail.com
Business Hours: 9a – 5p