Power Lunch

 "Being able to step out of the corporate setting for an hour each Tuesday to sit in a 3rd grade sized desk and read with my Power Lunch student is the highlight of my week. It's amazing how little time it takes to make a noticeable impact" - John Font, Volunteer, UBS

WITS' signature program, Power Lunch, has successfully paired local business professionals with students in the Chicago Public Schools for more than seven years! Designed for corporate, government, or community groups, the program matches employees with students in CPS. Once a week corporate groups are transported from their office to a school where they read with the same child for an entire school year.

WITS trains, supports, transports, and matches each volunteer with a student. Corporate groups typically "adopt" a classroom, where all their participating employees volunteer. For Power Lunch, we usually focus on second or third grade classrooms in an effort to improve their reading skills prior to ISAT testing. With no previous training required, the program is based around the simple act of reading aloud with a student.

Power Lunch breaks down barriers and brings people together from different walks of life. It is quite a unique experience to witness the role reversal of corporate professionals boarding a big yellow school bus to meet their students at school. It's a humbling moment when you see a corporate executive squeeze into a third grader's chair to read one-on-one next to his/her student.

The learning experience that takes place in all Power Lunch classrooms is uniquely reciprocal. While promoting literacy and the love of reading is the ultimate goal, the friendships and expanded perspectives of both the student and volunteer are just as important.

For more information on how to get you or your company involved with Power Lunch, please complete our General Inquiry or contact Kristen Eidson, Program Director.

Commitment: an hour and fifteen minutes, once a week (or every other week if alternating with a coworker), preferably for an entire school year
Contact Person: Kristen Eidson, Program Director
Requirements: Background Check