But the kids these days, like children in 1964, are in need of educational assistance to better prepare them for school, college, and a career. Chicago Lights Tutoring continues to meet that need 45 years later.

In 1964, a small group of Fourth Presbyterian Church members recognized the need for free educational assistance for children living in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. They began gathering weekly to help students from the Cabrini-Green neighborhood improve their study habits, reading ability, and comprehension. An article in the November 15, 1964, Chicago Tribune noted that 40 volunteers, all between ages 18 and 25, "spend an hour and a half every Thursday evening tutoring a child on a one-to-one basis. Reading, spelling, social studies, geography, science, or mathematics are covered, according to need."

One of the Fourth Church pastors at that time, Pastor Gerald Hazelrigg said, "Most often the difficulty is in reading, which is the key to everything else." That is still the case today, which is why Chicago Lights Tutoring focuses on literacy initiatives and now offers professional reading assessments, Hooked on Phonics, reading rewards, a spelling bee, a book club, and a writers circle.

Tutoring expanded during the 1990s. Through a partnership with America's Second Harvest, the nation's first Kids Café was launched to provide healthy meals before the students met with their tutors. In 2000, under the leadership of Associate Pastor Dana Ferguson, the program grew to more than 500 students and expanded to four nights each week. By 2001, the number of students served was reduced to under 500 and efforts concentrated on increasing program quality.

Today, the programmatic initiatives offered to the 400 students in the Tutoring program are diverse. Arts and enrichment programming, including visual art, dance, and martial arts, is offered before dinner is served. Job Training and Career Development provides professional skills training and paid-internships for high school students. Scholarships are awarded to students to attend Chicago-area private and parochial high schools. Every Tutoring student has access to a computer lab, educational resource materials, and a library.

The hallmark of the Tutoring program has remained: one-to-one tutor/student relationships. These relationships between students and their tutors, and increasingly with their families, often results in academic achievement, personal growth, and lifelong friendships. Read about a lasting relationship between Sue and Latoya; their relationship has lasted well beyond highschool through to Latoya's marriage and Sue was there to celebrate.

For more information about the Chicago Lights Tutoring, contact
Alex Cornwell, Associate Director
acornwell@fourthchurch.org or 312.981.3565

Click here to learn about volunteer opportunities with Chicago Lights Tutoring.