Started in 1999, Workplace Mentoring is a year-long literacy mentorship program for fourth - eighth grade Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. Once a week after school, students are transported to a corporate office to meet one-on-one with their mentor for shared reading and homework support.
WHY WORKPLACE MENTORING IS IMPORTANT
Eighty-four percent of students agreed that participating in WITS made them want to read for fun more often. Reading for fun leads to more reading engagement and better reading comprehension.
100% of our partner teachers are satisfied with student participation in WITS. Teachers value that our programs promote a love of reading and support social-emotional development in students.
our outcomes
TODAY ONLY 28% OF CPS FOURTH GRADERS ARE PROFICIENT READERS, IN 2019 THAT NUMBER WAS 40%.
64% of WITS students met or exceeded the national average for reading level growth in one year.
At the end of the school year 83% of WITS students said they like reading books for fun, up from 65% at the beginning of the year.
93% of WITS students reported feeling good or very good about spending time with their mentors
100% of our partner teachers are satisfied with student participation in WITS.
GET INVOLVED
program facilitators
Jessica Gilliam
Program Coordinator
Kandace Mack
Program Coordinator
Tra'Lisha Renteria
Program Specialist
Estefania Rodriguez
Program Coordinator
