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.
The Latest Pitch In News!
Pitch In Summer Camp Fun!
Starting last week, Pitch In Summer Camp is in full swing! Students are getting used to a daily routine including morning yoga, learning a Spanish word of the day, and watering the Pitch In
Step Right Up for the Carnival!
Today Pitch In hosted our 4th annual end of year carnival. This year carnival was Luau themed complete with inflatable palm trees, toucans and leis. The students participated in carnival fun games including 'Dunking Ducky',
Last Family Dinner of 2017-2018 school year!
Last week, students & mentors enjoyed their last family dinner of the 2017-2018 school year! The 4th graders spent the month of May learning all about putting safety first and presented poster boards on
A Very Special Thank You to Our Mentors
It's the end of the school year and that means it's time to give thanks to all the people that contributed to another successful Pitch In year! Our mentors always go above and beyond
Dr. Whuu visits Pitch In!
Last week Pitch In 5th graders learned life forms move in cycles. We're born, nurtured, we grow, we get old, and then we go back into the soil, and its the same for plants!
Mentors In The Making
Pitch In 7th graders are on their way to be our first group of graduates next year as 8th graders. As we think about 5 years together, we know this original crew are not only
Healthy You, Healthy Teeth! *Chomp Chomp*
Pitch In 4th graders enjoyed our Healthy You theme this month and learned a few key ways to take care of their bodies in order to live a long, happy, and healthy lives. Last week
Jammed packed Weekend of FUN!
Last weekend Pitch In students had a tremendous time adventuring out on two field trips! On Friday, April 13th, our Pitch In all stars (students that had the best attendance, participation and teamwork) enjoyed
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.
