In every community, there are young people looking for direction, encouragement, and opportunity. At Automotive Mentoring Group (AMG), those opportunities take shape in a truly unique way—through hands-on automotive restoration paired with mentorship that builds confidence, life skills, and purpose. AMG is more than a workshop. It’s a place where relationships are built, futures are shaped, and lives are changed. Why Their Work Matters Many of the youth who come through AMG’s doors are...

There is a 1933 Packard convertible sitting in a garage on the south side of Chicago. It came in rough, faded, forgotten, the kind of car most people would walk past without a second glance. But in the hands of the young men and women at the Automotive Mentoring Group, that car is becoming something remarkable. Panel by panel. Weld by weld. One careful, patient hour at a time. And so are they. More Than Metal When people first hear about AMG, they often think it's a program about cars. And...

For generations, automotive knowledge was passed down the same way many skilled trades were learned— side by side in a garage, workshop, or driveway . A young person would watch, ask questions, and slowly learn how engines worked, how tools were used, and how patience and persistence could bring a machine back to life. Today, that kind of hands-on mentorship is becoming harder to find. With fewer shop classes in schools and more time spent behind screens, many young people simply never get...