Our Belief + Mission
Despite the curveballs that life circumstances may throw, everyone deserves a chance to reach their full potential.
The Wood Family Foundation facilitates collaborative relationships between school partners and families that provide
support and opportunities to empower students to succeed in middle school, high school, and beyond.
The Wood Family Foundation’s premiere program, Pitch In, is an after-school model that employs high-quality
mentoring relationships and exposure to unique experiences to ensure that our 4th-8th grade students develop the
academic and social-emotional skills, mindsets, and agency necessary to transition to high school successfully.
Beyond the after-school component of our model, Pitch In deeply engages with our partner schools to
improve the culture of the middle grades (4th-8th grade), adding school-day capacity that aligns to principals’
visions for their school communities, providing access to an abundance of resources, and focusing not only on
our students, but also on their families.
We currently serve Humboldt Park and North Lawndale, and aspire to reach Austin, Englewood, and Roseland in the near future.
Together We Win
Over the past 2 years I have developed extremely special relationships with my mentees. Not only have I formed many new friendships, but I also have began to appreciate what I have as a result of being a mentor. Pitch In has become one of my homes away from home, as I have grown to feel like everyone involved is one big welcoming family.
Pitch In has given my grandson the confidence to lead others and speak in front of groups of people.
Jaylon has made new friends, bonded with his peers and become more independent since joining Pitch In.
I was really blessed and impressed that Kerry and Sarah were both so down to earth, and working in the trenches with all the volunteers. Ever since then, I try to help out and support WFF whenever I can, and mentoring for Pitch In is one way I can help.
I am so grateful to have spent my first school year with our amazing 4th grade students. I look forward to continuing to serve as a resource and positive influence in their lives as they move on to apply for high school. The Pitch In program is full of unbelievably bright, energetic and creative kids—paired with caring, fun, hardworking mentors and staff.
The Latest Pitch In News!
Here We Grow Again
Our Pitch In kids have loved hearing from the author of our new favorite book, “Here We Grow Again”, Tasha Harris. Thank you for “visiting” our students, Ms. Harris! Every student also received a copy
Happy New Year!
We are welcoming back Pitch In students this week after a long two week holiday break, and couldn't be more excited for what the new year holds! The last time we were all together, we
Slime sesh!
There was a sticky situation at Yates last week! A few of our awesome mentors facilitated a slime tutorial for our summer camp. Thanks for helping with this awesome activity Jenny, Rebecca, and Jessica!
Congratulations Class of 2019!
Last week our Pitch In 8th graders officially became rising high school freshmen! It has been an honor to be a part of their middle school experience and we could not be more excited to see
You are what you eat!
The month of May for our Pitch In 4th graders was all about superfoods and how they help us thrive. This summer we'll have the chance to grow our own fruits and vegetables in our
New Schools Announcement!
We are thrilled to announce that in the Fall of 2019 we will be bringing Pitch In to TWO new schools, Sumner Elementary School in North Lawndale and Moos Elementary School in Humboldt Park.? New
#EverybodyIn
Pitch In 8th graders had such a fun day at the Friendly Confines! Our 5th and final trip to Wrigley Field was a blast, thanks to mentor Bill for having us once again.
Where we play!
Last month 4th grade Pitch In students became experts on local Chicago landmarks thanks to our friends from Wendella Boats and even tried their hand at recreating some of these cool places! We're so proud of the
