WHIZKIDS


Who We Are

WhizKids is a tutoring and mentoring initiative and strategic partnership between OneCity and City Gospel Mission which provides academic assistance to at-risk elementary students through life-on-life relationships with caring adults.

What We Do

With the support of WhizKids staff, local churches partner with neighboring elementary schools, develop relationships with school administrators and provide training to volunteer tutors to work one-on-one with kids for one hour each week

The Need

Reading skills serve as a predictor for a child’s life:
  • 92% of low-level readers in 3rd grade won’t go to college
  • Third-grade reading scores are now used to forecast prison capacity
  • 80% of the prison population is either low-level or non-readers
(Source: US Census Data, 2000)

The Impact

Youth who are involved with a caring adult are:
  • 27% less likely to use alcohol
  • 46% less likely to use drugs
  • 52% less likely to skip school
  • 32% less likely to engage in fighting
(Source: Public/Private Ventures)

The Results

Whiz Kids’ reading scores improve on average ½ a grade level.
(Source: WK stats:2008-2009)

Who Can Tutor?

Any caring person age 16 and above with a heart for kids who can read and do math at a 3rd grade level

Role Description

A caring volunteer who will commit to tutoring the same at-risk student for one hour each week during the academic school year. Through the tutoring sessions, students will improve literacy and math performance, develop personal confidence, and build positive relationships with a caring adult

Responsibilities

  • Honor his or her commitment to attend the weekly tutoring session
  • Assist with academic activities that build literacy and math skills
  • Build relationships with students
  • Pray for students weekly

Time Commitment

  • 1 hour/week
  • Each church/site will choose the time/day that is best for the school and majority of tutors

Training

WhizKids training involves both a Framework for Understanding Poverty and a specific program training

Curriculum

WhizKids utilizes A-Z, a well-known literacy-based curriculum

How to Get Started

  1. Email: whizkids@onecity.org
  2. Fill out a contact card
  3. Attend the WhizKids training
  4. Start meeting with your student!