City Gospel Mission is paving the way for academic success and early intervention with volunteer-based Whiz Kids tutoring and mentoring across Cincinnati. The local non-profit encourages relationship building while tutoring youth who need a little extra help in literacy and math.
Whiz Kids is offered at no cost to families across 50 locations in Greater Cincinnati.
The Whiz Kids program has been recognized as a “Best Practice Program” by the Ohio Governor’s office. Curriculum coordinator Bridgit Murphy at Eastside Christian Church encourages new volunteers as Whiz Kids tutoring continues to grow. “Being a tutor is an opportunity to invest in a child’s future: to give them skills as a reader and writer, to ignite in them excitement and hope for their future, and to be able to share my faith as well,” Murphy says.
Once a week, kids and their tutors meet for one hour to read, play games, learn with math manipulatives, tell jokes, complete puzzles, draw, use flashcards, purchase reward-trinkets in the WK shop and overall build relationships. At several locations, bus transportation and dinner is provided prior to the tutoring session.
The Whiz Kids program operates during the school year. Families seeking tutoring can reach out to their home school to find the nearest WK location. Volunteer opportunities are endless; choose from tutoring, snack help, curriculum coordinating, substitute tutor, transportation and more. Mentor opportunities are available beyond the school year for duos who have bonded over their Whiz Kids tutoring experience.
