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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 4
th-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 (4
th-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.

All students deserve to reach their fullest potential – join us today in making that possible!

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The Latest Pitch In News!

High School Spotlight

April 29th, 2016|

Kids these days...at a staggering 6 foot something, 15-year-old Brandon Mahoney certainly does not act his shoe size. Well, I suppose most young men don't find themselves convincing the local Footlocker to special order a

Move To Your Own Beat

April 7th, 2016|

March kept our Pitch In 5th graders busy exploring new sounds with our friends at Old Town School of Folk Music! Instructor Jonas also known as "Pop Rocks" shared the joy of the jug band

Pitch In Book Club

April 7th, 2016|

The last few weeks Pitch In 4th graders have been lost in Magic Treehouse tales and Box Car Kid adventures! Each week book club begins with a recap of our last reading session, "popcorn" style

“Dorothyisms”

March 1st, 2016|

From Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse on Kinzie, I peer through the aged windows and capture the cities melodic rhythm. Flashing lights are harmonized by the bustle of travelers commuting to seize the hasty onset of

Props…Check!

February 12th, 2016|

Just two weeks until show time for Pitch In students! Both our 4th and 5th graders have been working extremely hard on props, lines, dance moves and rap beats! We are all so excited for

Week 3 With ECT

January 21st, 2016|

Pitch In students are on week 3 with Emerald City Theatre, how time flies when we are having fun! Through theater games and books 5th graders are learning more about the history of jazz and

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.

Danielle R., Mentor

Pitch In has given my grandson the confidence to lead others and speak in front of groups of people.

Pitch In Grandmother

Jaylon has made new friends, bonded with his peers and become more independent since joining Pitch In.

Pitch In Mother

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.

April G., Mentor

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.

Mike B., Mentor
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