Anniversary Celebration
Jump back to the 90s with WITS as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary
Celebrate 30 years of wits
Working in the Schools (WITS) was founded on the idea that in-person, one-on-one literacy mentorship shapes how K-8th grade Chicago Public Schools students feel about school, themselves, and their future. We believe that connecting people from across real and perceived boundaries builds empathy, civic-mindedness, and cultural humility. The challenges of the past year have motivated our staff to find innovative ways of maintaining those connections so that our partner schools continue to have the literacy resources they need.
This year we welcome you to celebrate our 30th Anniversary of Building Communities and Empowering Readers. As the world continues to evolve and reemerge, so do we. By giving to WITS, you are investing in both short-term solutions that help us adapt to unusual circumstances, as well as long-term innovation that will make our programs more accessible and valuable to the communities we serve for years to come.
We cannot wait to celebrate what we have spent the last 30 years building together.
HONOREES
Corporate Partner of the Year
The Chicago White Sox are a committed organization on the baseball diamond and in the community. WITS’ partnership with the White Sox has always focused on supporting students and families in Chicago. Since 2009, more than 300 White Sox employees and staff have taken the short walk down the street from their offices at Guaranteed Rate Field to a nearby southside neighborhood school, McClellan Elementary to mentor more than 200 students.
This year, as part of the WITS 30th Anniversary Celebration, WITS honors Chicago White Sox as our Corporate Partner of the Year. Their ongoing service, dedication, and care for students through their support and participation in programming is an asset to the organization.
Alter & Stone Volunteer of the Year Award
The WITS Associates Board, founded in 2001, is a community of young professionals dedicated to supporting WITS’ mission through philanthropic efforts and raising awareness of literacy in Chicago. With quarterly meetings, volunteer opportunities, and social events, Associates Board members network with others who are interested in making a difference in their communities and empowering readers.
The Associates Board will receive the Alter & Stone Volunteer of the Year Award at the WITS 30th Anniversary Celebration for their exceptional service to the institution.
battle of the classes
Join the WITS Associates Board in celebrating WITS
In celebration of WITS' 30th Anniversary, we will honor 20 years of the WITS Associates Board (AB), formerly known as WITS Jr. To support the work of WITS, we are dividing the AB into grade bands and launching The Battle of the Classes - a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $100,000.
Click on the class you would like to support by making a donation.
AB Members 2001 – 2005
AB Members 2006 – 2010
AB Members 2011 – 2015
AB Members 2016 - TODAY
Interested in fundraising? Download a fundraising toolkit here.
dance the night away - sold out
Saturday, December 11, 2021 8:30 – MIDNiGHT
Stagg Court, Chicago Athletic Association HoteL
Attire: Cocktail attire, 90s prom preferred
For this year’s celebration, WITS invites you to 90s prom – a ticketed DJ dance party. DJ Major Taylor himself will play an exclusive 90s playlist. Get ready to update your Myspace page, you'll want to document this night in a big way.
Availability will be limited to health and safety standards as set by the venue and CDC guidelines. Out of an abundance of caution, proof of full COVID vaccination is required to attend the event.
This event is sold out. Please contact Alex Michel, alexandra@witschicago.org, with questions about supporting this event or to join our waitlist.
Donate & Sponsor
here's to 30 more years of wits
Please use this form to make a donation to WITS. By giving to WITS, you are investing in both short-term solutions that help us adapt to unusual circumstances, as well as long-term innovation that will make our programs more accessible and valuable to the communities we serve for years to come.
For more information on regarding the WITS 30th Anniversary Celebration please contact WITS Development Director, Alex Michel, alexandra@witschicago.org.
Donate $91 in honor of our founding year, 1991.
our sponsors
magic school bus
rainbow fish
matilda
harriet the spy
Deloitte
FactSet
GTCR
Jones Day
lemony snicket
Alliant
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
Greenberg Traurig
McDonald’s
Pepper Construction
Chicago White Sox
Wintrust Financial
contact us
For questions regarding the WITS 30th Anniversary Celebration please contact WITS Development Director, Alex Michel, alexandra@witschicago.org.
