2025-2030
GrowthOver the past five years, WITS has streamlined our organization to design program models that most effectively drive our mission to support foundational literacy skills and encourage a love of reading in elementary students.
To build a more literate Chicago, WITS will expand its trusted and effective program model to ensure more students meet critical literacy benchmarks and develop positive attitudes towards reading.
x2
500 to 1,000
Double the number of students we serve in our mentorship programs.
“Programs like WITS are critical. They help level the playing field, ensuring that our students—regardless of their background—have the literacy skills they need to succeed.”
- Latoya Lyons, Principal, Brown Elementary
The Need
Roughly 70% to 73% of CPS students come from low-income families, and ongoing CPS budget constraints have reduced out-of-school programming citywide. As a result, under-resourced communities face limited access to academic support systems and resources that promote equity, academic achievement, and social-emotional development.
Why WITS
WITS is the only cost-free, in-school, weekly literacy enrichment program in CPS dedicated to grade-level reading proficiency. High-quality programs, like WITS, enhance academic motivation, thereby promoting long-term educational success. By the end of the school year, 62% of WITS students met or exceeded the national reading proficiency standard, a significant increase from 40% at the start of the year.
How We Get There
WITS is proud to be 100% privately funded, ensuring uninterrupted program delivery that does not rely on school or city budgets. $2,500 supports a full year of one-on-one literacy mentorship for a student. With your contribution, no matter the amount, we can double the number of students we serve in CPS.
Make A Donation
x3
100 to 300
Triple the number of libraries we grant.
“I would have about half the library I have, as would the entire school, if it wasn’t for WITS. I can’t describe how valuable these resources are as a teacher.”
- Joseph Pekarek, 2nd Grade Teacher, Ogden Elementary
The Need
Only 21% of CPS elementary schools have a usable library. As a result, most of the district’s 316,000 students rely on classroom libraries for reading material.
Why WITS
The WITS Rochelle Lee Teacher Award (RLTA) is the only book grant offered to CPS teachers that allows them to choose their own brand-new books for their specific students’ needs. When classroom libraries reflect varied racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, students are more engaged and motivated to read, which leads to higher achievement and deeper literacy skills.
How We Get There
If just 60 people give $140 a month for a year, we can triple the number of libraries we grant. Help us reach this goal by starting a monthly donation.
Start A Monthly Donation
x5
10,000 to 50,000
Give 50,000 books annually.
“What I have learned by becoming a WITS student is that reading is really important, and reading can be a lot more fun. I feel really proud of myself, and I feel like I have someone I can grow with over the years.”
- Israel, 6th Grade, WITS Student
The Need
61% of low-income families have no age-appropriate children’s books at home. In a city where roughly 70% to 73% of public school students come from low-income families, the need for at-home libraries is urgent. The mere presence of a home library increases children’s academic success and vocabulary development.
Why WITS
An essential part of the WITS mission is to help students build at-home libraries. At WITS, we don’t give just any books; we give books that reflect Chicago’s unique student population, which consists of almost 90% students of color. Culturally relevant books boost students’ reading scores by 15%, making our unique approach of curating the books we give even more impactful.
How We Get There
$1,000 provides an entire classroom of students with their very own set of culturally relevant books curated by WITS staff. Creating a fundraiser is a great way to rally your friends and family to support WITS. By sharing your personal story and connection to WITS, you raise funds and increase awareness about the importance of literacy. With your support, we can give 50,000 books every year.
Start A Fundraiser With a Goal Of $1,000
Support our growth. Invest in a more literate Chicago.
In addition to accepting donations online, WITS also accepts donor-advised funds, stocks, and planned gifts. For more information on these types of gifts, email development@witschicago.org.
For check donations, please make payable to WITS and send to the following address:
Working in the Schools
160 N Franklin St, Ste 201
Chicago, IL 60606.
