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TO: A Valued Community and Visionary Leader
FR: Willie B. Cochran, Alderman and Phyllis P. Hayes, Education
Coordinator
DATE: October 4, 2012
RE: Invitation to serve as WITS (Working in the Schools
Volunteer)
I am pleased to announce that the 20th Ward has partnered with
the Wits(Working in the Schools) Organization to combine
educational efforts to improveliteracy skills in our elementary
schools. Whereas, four schools have been selected toparticipate in
this pilot project, there is a need to assist these schools with
their
ability to improve academic standing and reading scores.
The Wits Early Childhood program is a unique opportunity for
educators,community leaders, and volunteers such as yourself to
become involved in the livesof our students while they are on-site
at their perspective schools. Wits (founded in1991) has been
recognized for its contributions to our communities, and is an
awardwinning, public-private partnership enterprise whose mission
is to increase thereading proficiency and learning capacity of
low-income and minority students inChicago Public Schools.
As the Alderman of the 20th Ward, I am thrilled to afford this
opportunity to ourparticipating schools. With my goal to improve
student reading skills and increase
students interest in books, I reach out to you for assistance.
Would you like to help usmake a difference? We need people like you
to donate a small amount of your time,energy, and experience for
this project to be successful.
It is my mission that "together," we will be able to make a
difference in the lives ofthe students that we mentor, as well as
guide them toward a brighter future.Individuals who have partnered
with the Wits program note that "they feel rewardedmany times over
for the help they provide in making a difference in the lives
ofothers."
Won't you join me with this endeavor, our first meeting
(VOLUNTEERORIENTATION) will be held on: Monday, October 15, 2012
from 6:00pm-
8:00pm at the University of Chicago, 915 East 60th Street, Room
801. Wouldyou please contact my Education Coordinator, Phyllis P.
Hayes at 773-870-1910 [email protected] to confirm your
participation or find out more abouthow you can help?
Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you!
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20th Ward in Partnership with WITS - Working in the
SchoolsFACT SHEET
Unfortunately, it is a fact that millions of people across our
nation havedifficulty reading and literacy issues are possibly one
of our most importantchallenges. In an effort to improve literacy
in the 20th Ward, the WitsPartnership will seek to address this
need by recruiting professionalvolunteers to assist with this
problem.
The 20th Ward is seeking 50 Volunteers to tutor "at-risk"
students fromselected elementary schools to help improve their
reading and writing skills(in an one-on-one setting).
Recruitment efforts are targeting identified employers, their
employees,community and civic-minded organizations, retired
professionals, faith-based organizations and others.
The support of this Early Childhood Project is an excellent way
to preparestudents for life-skills, college-readiness, and the
"world of work."
All volunteers for this project must complete a Chicago Public
Schoolsbackground check and a WITS Volunteer Application.
Volunteers are asked to donate at least one hour and a half
(once aweek) between 9:00am - 10:45am.
Volunteers must participate in the Volunteer Orientation that
will be heldon Monday, October 15, 2012 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm -
University ofChicago, 915 E. 60th St. - Rm. 801.
All training aspects will be presented by Administrators from
the WitsOrganization (where CPS policies and procedures, etc.) will
be discussed.
In partnership with the Wits Project, the 20th Ward has a goal
to help theseschools remove literacy barriers and improve their
Schools Report Cardsfrom (low academic standing) to (good academic
standing and higher).
Our goal to provide both students and teachers with the needed
supportcould not be successful without your dedication and
commitment.
The Children's Foundation of America (Summer, 2011) notes
that"widespread illiteracy not only leads to lower education and
employment
