The WHIT Program, Inc.

Children in Foster Care start off behind, we catch them up! The WHIT Program Inc. provides free tutoring to children in foster care.

The WHIT Program stands for Weekly, Hands-on, Independent, Tutoring Program. It is named after my daughter Whitney Thompson, who was killed by a drunk driver. She was a huge advocate for the underprivileged and especially children. She is the inspiration behind this.

The high school graduation rate for children in foster care is only 63%, compared to 90% overall. Our goal is to give these children, who have already suffered the hardship of removal from their homes, the tools they need to succeed. As a CASA volunteer, I witnessed firsthand that there were no programs in place for DFPS kids that had fallen behind in school and had not been diagnosed with a disability. Working with Child Protective Services, we use volunteers, mainly from the Angelo State University Honors Program, to provide tutoring in English (including reading) and math. We started out providing our free tutoring services in Tom Green County and surrounding areas, we now provide tutoring services to children in foster care throughout the state of Texas!

In addition to Angelo State University, CPS, and other Universities throughout Texas, we also partner with the TGC Library, & CAC of Greater West Texas

Testimonials

"I love Wednesdays because that's my tutor day! I'm better at reading and like to read aloud in class now. I didn't use to because I didn't know a lot of words. It's fun now." -WHIT student K.

"The foster child I was matched with confided in me that she was nervous about having a tutor, but after meeting me and realizing how well we get along, she enjoys coming to tutor with me each week. Throughout this entire process I have learned different things about myself and tutoring in general. In our orientation training we learned how important this tutoring is to the foster students because they do not normally have structure in their life and people to constantly encourage them in their pursuits and dreams. I have learned that by becoming this supportive person in their life, we can change how they feel about themselves and their journey through school."- WHIT tutor Elizabeth

"Before The WHIT Program I struggled a lot in school. I liked being in ISS and detention because it felt like I could get more one on one help. Now I have The WHIT Program, and it has helped me a lot. -Current WHIT student A.

"I'm glad that my now adoptive mom got me into the WHIT program, because I got to meet my tutor Hailey, and she helped me be more successful in school. Some of the skills sets she taught me were to slow down and to be confident in my answers and not second guess myself." -Former WHIT student H

"Prior to the WHIT Program it was a struggle and a lot of discussions were had " did you do your home work?" The WHIT Program made a huge difference in her, we saw a change in her grades and she was excited about learning and to spend time with her WHIT tutor Hailey." -Former Foster Parent Courtney