Welcome To Fourth Presbyterian Church



The Chicago Lights Tutoring program provides weekly one-to-one tutoring and mentoring to more than 400 students in first through twelfth grades. ◆ Who Tutors are caring adults from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and experiences who are interested in helping students succeed in school and in life.Tutors do not need to be trained educators. Training, orientation, staff support, and opportunities to socialize with other tutors are provided on a regular basis. ◆ What Tutors meet with students 1-1/2 hours weekly (6:00 to 7:30 p.m.) during the school year. ◆ When Grades 7–12: Monday or Tuesday Grades 1–6: Wednesday or Thursday ◆ Where Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street (at North Michigan Avenue) — accessible from the Loop by CTA buses and Red and Brown line “L” trains. ◆ Tutoring builds self-esteem through education—both academic growth and the knowledge of self that will inform personal choices. Tutoring students benefit from • Weekly homework assistance from caring adult tutors • Hot meals provided by In2It Cafe • Check-out privileges from our library full of books • Computer facilities • On-site staff able to provide support and resources as needed to tutor-student pairs • Bus transportation to and from some neighborhoods ◆ One-to-one relationships have been the hallmark of the Chicago Lights Tutoring Program for more than 40 years. Students are paired with a volunteer tutor for an entire school year and sometimes much longer. Grades 1 through 6 Focus: Literacy and love of learning • Biannual reading assessments and individualized plans for reading improvement and recovery • Hooked on Phonics to improve reading • Reading Rewards incentives to make reading fun Grades 7 through 12 Focus: High school graduation, college, jobs • High school scholarships offering opportunities to attend high-quality private high schools • Job training and career development with opportunities for paid summer internships ◆ Why Is Chicago Lights Tutoring Important? Students come from lower-income families. As Chicago Public Housing changes, our families are spread across thirty city zip codes, with the majority living in Near North, West Town, and Humboldt Park. These students attend struggling Chicago Public Schools with limited opportunities and few professional role models. They face • Overcrowded classrooms • Lack of computer access and training • Little to no arts education • Few extracurricular activities • Minimal leadership opportunities • Soaring dropout rates By supporting the Tutoring and Scholarship program, you will offer students an opportunity to reach beyond what they already know to benefit from • Consistent academic support • Real-life learning and employment experiences • Professional adult mentors and role models • Access to scholarships for private high school education ◆ Get involved in the Tutoring and Scholarship program and make a difference in the life of a child! Become a Donor Tutoring and Scholarship relies on generous donors to provide tutors and students with the resources they need. To make a financial gift to the Tutoring program or to the Chicago Lights general fund, contact the Chicago Lights Development office at 312.274.3816 or give online at www.chicagolights.org. Become a Volunteer More than 400 volunteer tutors are needed each year to help children break the cycle of poverty through education. If you can’t make a full-time commitment to tutor, consider becoming a casual substitute! To learn more, contact the Tutoring office at 312.981.3565 or visit www.chicagolights.org.