Welcoming Migrant Students Into WITS Programs

Kristen StrobbeJanuary 12, 2024Diversity Initiatives, Mission & Outcomes, Teachers

WITS centers our work around the core value of building community. Every WITS program is its own special community, a place where all students are welcome and mentors and students … Read More

Book Bans in 2022

Kristen StrobbeJuly 28, 2022Books, Diversity Initiatives, In the Media

WITS opposes all efforts to ban books in schools and libraries across the United States. WITS approaches our work with books using the “windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors” philosophy; … Read More

Celebrating WITS Kindergarten

Kristen StrobbeJune 9, 2022Books, Programs, Volunteers

In March 2022, nearly two years to the day that WITS ceased in-person programming at schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, kindergarten students sat next to their mentors, opened up … Read More

Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors

Kristen StrobbeAugust 3, 2021Books, Diversity Initiatives, Inside WITS

At WITS, we believe it is important that books celebrate the histories, experiences, and everyday life of the students we serve, the city we live in, and the world we … Read More

Utilizing an Equity-Literacy Framework

Kristen StrobbeMay 13, 2021Diversity Initiatives, Programs

WITS celebrates the strengths of our students and the communities we partner with. We commit to taking the structural view rather than the deficit view of educational disparities. It is … Read More

Teachers Create Community Online At Summer Institute

Kristen StrobbeAugust 10, 2020Programs, Teachers

On a packed Zoom meeting in early August, 20 educators talked about the importance of incorporating social emotional learning (SEL) in their literacy instruction. Guiding the conversation was Laurie Brooks, … Read More

What’s In This Year’s WITSummer Books Bag?

Kristen StrobbeMarch 25, 2020Books, Events, Support

Each year WITS gives every student in our one-on-one mentor programs a set of brand-new books.  This is year is no different. In fact, children having access to books at … Read More

US Senator Dick Durbin Meets with WITS Students and Mentors

Kristen StrobbeDecember 16, 2019Partnerships, Programs, Volunteers

The WITS and BP Workplace Mentoring program received a special visitor on November 26th leading into the Thanksgiving holiday – Senator Dick Durbin. The visit highlighted the 8-year partnership of … Read More

Importance of Summer Reading

Kristen StrobbeApril 15, 2019Books, Mission & Outcomes

Soon, the days will be sunny, the breezes will be warm, and the afternoons will be lazy. Summer is coming for Chicago and there’s no better summer activity than reading … Read More

Benefits of Mentoring for Retired Adults

Kristen StrobbeMarch 29, 2019Mission & Outcomes, Volunteers

There are many benefits to mentoring especially for older retired adults. At WITS we’re lucky to work with over 1500 volunteers of different ages, backgrounds and life experiences. From partners … Read More