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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
Celebrating National Mentoring Month!
There’s no better way to kick off a new year than with National Mentoring Month! Launched in 2002 by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard T.H. Chan School … Read More
