“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.
Volunteering represents a social commitment where individuals generously contribute their time and resources toward a specific objective. In the context of WITS (Working in the Schools), when mentoring students in Chicago, our mission is to empower elementary students in Chicago by fostering self-discovery through reading while nurturing essential literacy skills.
In this blog, we dive into the world of mentorship through the eyes of a dedicated mentor and associate board member. Alex Van Tiem, he is the Vice president of Product Management at FactSet. He likes to discover new restaurants and the good food of the city. He likes to run and hang out with friends and family. Today we want to talk to him and share his experience mentoring students in Chicago at WITS.
What brought you to WITS?
Initially, a volunteer opportunity through my company, FactSet, was introduced to us. We heard positive feedback from individuals who were already part of the program, which made it easy for me to take a chance and sign up for the weekly reading mentorship. From then on, I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the program. 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.
Can you tell us about a favorite memory you have of reading with a student?
Every year, there were different students with varying levels and personality types. During one of the first years, I had a student who often missed the program because he was having problems at school. On the last day, when we held a party and distributed summer books to the classroom, it was awesome to witness his excitement and happiness. Initially, he had shown no interest in books, but now he was cheering because he had books and the confidence to open them and start reading. This experience made me fall in love with the program. I realized that you need to be patient, and even for students who appear disinterested at the beginning, they eventually come around. I believe that consistency matters.
Could you please share any other challenges you’ve encountered while volunteering?
During the COVID-19, I encountered a significant challenge while participating in the program virtually. I understood how difficult it had been for the teachers, parents, and students during that time. I had two students on different cameras in a crowded classroom, and communication was nearly impossible due to the noise level. I reached out to the WITS staff to explore potential solutions, and we adjusted their placement within the classroom, but still was pretty loud. Even though it was not an easy environment to read, I believed that students engaged in meaningful conversations for an hour each week. Although it was a tough challenge, I believe the virtual interaction was fruitful for both sides.
However, when we transitioned back to in-person mentoring, the experience improved significantly. Recognizing the impact of face-to-face interactions, I advocated for FactSet’s presence on-site and I knew it was going to be more impactful.
What is your favorite book and why?
The Harry Potter series. I just think about reading with students and at that time in my life I was reading Harry Potter. That made me fall in love with reading and I think that’s why those are my favorites. I just love all the Harry Potter series from start to finish. Over the years I have learned all the meanings behind the characters and everything about the books too.
What has your experience been like as a WITS Associates Board member?
I am still new. I have been part of WITS for less than a year. I just went to the quarterly board meeting yesterday and it was both fascinating and enlightening. Being on The Board provides a unique perspective. You realize how much WITS is needed and how much these kids need help with reading but also books at their fingertips to keep progressing and learning. When you go to the program every other week you don’t see it but when you see the statistics and the impact of the program you realize how much more help is needed. I want to get more involved. Personally, I am committed to going beyond short-term involvement. My goal is to deepen my engagement with the board and contribute even more to WITS’ mission.
What are you most looking forward to in this role?
I am genuinely excited about the upcoming summer books fundraising event. It marks our first opportunity to actively contribute, and I find the most rewarding aspect to be when we personally deliver books to the students. While I have been involved in reading and mentorship, this particular aspect is new to me. I want to lead a fundraising team specifically for Holden, as well as all the other schools partnered with WITS. So far, we have attended meetings, and we contribute with ideas for the organization to do but that is the easy part. I am excited about the challenge of stepping outside and actively engaging in fundraising and just telling my friends about it.
During a recent board meeting, a quote resonated with me: “Raising awareness raises money.” Often, just talking to others about WITS is sufficient to inspire their generosity. I have a personal story to illustrate this. I was telling my girlfriend about WITS and how much I love doing it, so she decided to volunteer at her company. To my surprise, her company made a donation, and I received a call from Tena (WITS CEO) expressing gratitude. This experience reaffirmed that the more we talk about WITS, the more people are inclined to support the organization’s mission. I look forward to furthering our impact and involving more companies in this worthy cause.
How has mentoring students in Chicago with WITS impacted your idea of what it means to be of service?
I led the community service team during my high school years, which instilled in me a strong commitment to giving back. Growing up in a family that shared this belief was a fortunate influence. However, as I transitioned to college and began working, I realized that I had lost touch with the profound impact of service. Volunteering for WITS reminds me of that. I think that is one of the reasons why I joined the board because I thought that one hour a week was not enough. I feel that I had more to give. I just feel that you can always make time to give back and WITS is showing me that you don’t have to do a lot to generate a good impact on others.
Get Involved
Remember, mentoring students in Chicago isn’t just about giving; it’s about receiving fulfillment, connection, and purpose. If you want to volunteer, please click here if you want to donate please click here. Even simple acts of giving can have a significant impact on both others and yourself. Whether it’s a long-term commitment or a small contribution, volunteering can make a difference!
