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Hello,
My name is Keisha M. Hooks, and I am one of the founders of Whitney Young Dolphins Making a Difference (WYDMAD). I am pleased to announce the creation of WYDMAD Quarterly, a publication designed to share the news and accomplishments of our organization.
WYDMAD is a non-profit organization that was formed by alumni of Chicago's Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. WYDMAD's mission is to provide critical resources to Chicago public school children in an effort to shape better students and productive citizens. We brought this mission to life by forming two school-based mentoring programs at Whitney Young High School and West Pullman Elementary School.
Since 2010, we've done some amazing things with our kids. Our students have toured the Chicago Board of Trade, they visited the Auditorium Theater to witness a performance by the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and our students even opened a store where they sold school supplies, apparel and other goods. From supporting their academic growth to facilitating enrichment projects to pairing students with mentors, WYDMAD's administrators and volunteers have changed the lives of the students with whom we've worked. When I reflect on our work over the last two school years, I'm pleased to know that I've been a part of an organization that has impacted the lives of dozens of students in a meaningful way. As we embark on our third year, I'm excited about what we have planned for this year's participants.
In my opinion, this year's theme is exposure. Our Board of Directors has developed programs aimed at exposing our students to all of the possibilities that are available to them locally, nationally and globally. For example, we plan to expose our high school students to interesting concepts including the world of politics, the power of voting, and environmental consciousness. In addition, we will introduce our sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to the stock market, and they will have the opportunity to invest in existing corporations. We will begin incorporating exercise into our curriculum due to the inspirational "Let's Move" platform advanced by Whitney Young's own First Lady Michelle Obama.
While we have developed inventive programs, the only way we can execute our plans is with your support. We are in need of committed volunteers who want to have a significant impact on a student in need of your guidance and wisdom. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact me by e-mail at Keisha@wydmad.org or by phone at 773.217.8070. I hope to hear from you soon!
Keisha Hooks, Board Chairwoman
Whitney Young Dolphins Making a Difference
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Upcoming Events | | |
If you want to get involved with students in need of positive examples, WYDMAD invites you to attend any of the following events. Please contact Keisha Hooks if you have any questions or if you'd like more details.
WYDMAD Informational
Come learn about the ways you can get involved with WYDMAD
Woodson Library, 9525 S Halsted St, Harsh Conf. Room
October 20, 2012, 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
Mentoring Session with Whitney Young Students
Join WY alumni Brian Sleet, Kurt Summers and others for a discussion about the power of voting and the importance of the political process.
Whitney Young High School, 211 S Laflin St.
October 23, 2012, 4 PM-6 PM
Mentoring Session with West Pullman students
Participate in interactive sessions with 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who attend West Pullman Elementary School. Facilitators and volunteers provide academic support in Math, Science, and Language Arts. In addition, students will learn about tennis, character education and the world of investing.
West Pullman Elementary, 11914 S Parnell,
November 3, 2012, 9 AM-12PM
November 17, 2012, 9 AM-12PM
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Volunteer Voices | | |
My WYDMAD Experience
When I decided to become involved in WYDMAD at West Pullman Elementary, I was a little unsure as to why I wanted to dedicate two Saturdays a month to students when I already spent five-days a week with students of my own. Well, after two sessions I understood why. The students at West Pullman are completely unlike the students I taught during the school year; they understood the purpose of being at our sessions, they were eager to learn, they wanted to be a part of WYDMAD, and they enjoyed our sessions a majority of the time. Every Saturday I spent with them consisted of laughs and challenges, which comes with children, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Bonding with the West Pullman students helped me to fully realize why I love teaching so much.
Many people thought I was losing it when they found out I was willing to give up my Saturdays to volunteer with kids. However, they do not have the dedication to bettering the lives of children that I do. The students we work with have an opportunity to learn additional real-life skills, along with connecting with mentors who take a vested interest in them. When the school year ended, having to leave the students was a little difficult because I had bonded with each of them for one reason or another. However, I took comfort in knowing that the summer would soon end, and I would be planning the sessions again to better serve our students.
Working with the students at West Pullman makes me feel good because I know that I am doing something to make their lives better, even if it is just for two Saturdays a month. Not only am I at West Pullman helping and teaching the students, but they are helping and teaching me. They are making my life better because they help me fulfill my purpose and add meaning to what would otherwise be meaningless Saturday mornings.
Dominique A. Forbes
WYDMAD Curriculum Committee Member |
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Get Involved | |
- Mentor or tutor a student
- Join a WYDMAD committee
- Give a tax-deductible financial contribution
- Participate in a WYDMAD program
- Volunteer time or resources
- Spread the word!!
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