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 Ended 2017 with a BANG!
This December Pitch In students took a walk in someone else's shoes with our Pay It Forward theme that carried through all four grades. The holiday season is a very fortunate time for many families,
The Quick College Guidebook for High School Seniors
Ohh College. Often regarded as the best years of your life. If you're getting ready to make that step, you have a big road ahead. While we congratulate you for getting accepted into that wonderful
February Fun
This week Pitch In students started their new monthly themes, got on the stage to present to their families and enjoyed family dinner! We played several games to share what 6th grade students and
An Afternoon with DAVID Seeds
WFF is extremely esteemed to have partnered with Conagra Brands for the 6th Annual Woody's Winter Warm-Up. The event was an incredible success! We were thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them and
Pitch In Welcomes 2017!
This January Pitch In students had a great start to the new year! Here are some updates on each of our three classes. 6th Grade students have been enjoying our partnership with Facets, a nonprofit
Pitch In December 2016
This week Pitch In students rocked in earning many Pitch In tickets and high fives from both mentors and staff! Our 4th graders are continuing to read for book club learning more about their individual
Family Dinner Week
Last week Pitch In enjoyed three family dinners, student presentations, several special guests and more! The Pitch In Breakdown: 6th Graders learned about restorative justice this month, the three pillars and how to use
Logos with Y & R Chicago
Last week our Pitch In 4th graders got to see the transformation of the logos they created with our friends at Y & R Chicago. They were delighted with the result and couldn't wait to
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.