Since 2014, FactSet has been a dedicated partner of Working in the Schools (WITS), providing almost 300 hours of student mentorship each year. As the largest provider of literacy enrichment and corporate partnerships in Chicago Public Schools, WITS delivers free, high-impact programs that support both students and teachers. Through the WITS Workplace Mentoring program, FactSet mentors in Chicago foster not only foundational literacy skills but also self-confidence and joy in reading.

Last year, 91% of WITS students reported having positive attitudes towards reading, up from 73% at the beginning of the year.

FactSet Mentors in Chicago: Making Reading Fun and Meaningful

Volunteerism and giving back are core to FactSet’s culture and commitment to strengthening the communities where employees live and work. For more than a decade, FactSet mentors have partnered with fourth- through sixth-grade students at Charles N. Holden Elementary School in Bridgeport, forging meaningful bonds that spark a genuine love of reading.

Alex Van Tiem, Vice President of Product Management at FactSet and a WITS Associate Board member, shares:

“When I encourage others to volunteer, I always say, ‘Don’t do this for the kids; do it for yourself.’ Personally, I feel that I benefit even more than the students. It’s a wonderful opportunity to step away from work for an hour, break from routine, and engage with students who need a mentor. I am grateful for it.”

Making Reading Fun

Mentors use creative, interactive approaches—like playing rock-paper-scissors to decide how many pages to read, or chatting about the day before opening a book—to make reading sessions lively and fun.

As Alex observes:

“You need to be patient, and even for students who appear disinterested at the beginning, they eventually come around. I believe that consistency matters.”

The Student Perspective: Growth and Confidence

Israel, a WITS student, shares:

“My favorite thing to read in the summer is animal books. What I have learned by becoming a WITS student is that reading is really important. Now, reading could be more fun. I feel really proud of myself, and I feel like I have some mental growth over the years.”

Mercy, Israel’s mentor, has witnessed this transformation firsthand:

“He’s understanding how to read by himself without me reading to him every time. And now that he’s learned this, he can always share with other people. This is how it goes around the community. I think everyone should actually do this.”

How can your company partner with WITS?

WITS has over 30 years of experience partnering with Chicago companies like FactSet. There are many benefits to partnering with WITS:

• Turn-key programs that engage employees, leading to higher retention rates and employee satisfaction.
• A dedicated program coordinator to facilitate meaningful, research-supported programming.
• A streamlined way to give Chicago students and teachers access to age-appropriate, culturally specific books they currently lack access to.
• Exposure opportunities that highlight your company’s commitment to the city of Chicago.

If you are interested in becoming a WITS partner, please fill out our inquiry form.

Supporting WITS

WITS is proud to be 100% privately funded, ensuring uninterrupted program delivery that does not rely on school or city budgets. In addition to being a WITS partner, you can support our programming in several ways. We offer opportunities for individuals to donate, purchase books for the WITS library, and volunteer. No matter how you choose to support WITS, your contribution plays a vital role in empowering students to discover themselves through reading and develop foundational literacy skills.