Foster kids start out behind.
We want to catch them up.
In Memory of Whitney Thompson
The WHIT Program is named for Whitney Thompson, the late daughter of program founder Jennifer Lisson. Whitney inspired others with her love of people and her caring for the less fortunate. It’s in her memory that The WHIT Program was established.
Our Program
Helping children in foster care succeed in school.
The goal of The WHIT Program is to help children in foster care get up to speed with school. Our wonderful tutors will help these children succeed in math and reading, and will bring them up to grade level.
Helping Foster Children Reach Grade Level
Foster children have the lowest high-school graduation rate of any group tracked by the state of Texas. Lower than poor children, lower than ESL students, lower even than homeless children. We at The WHIT Program aim to change that.
How The WHIT Program Works
Volunteer university students are prepared, screened, and matched with foster children who need academic support.
Volunteer
We take volunteer university students who want to make a difference in the life of a child in foster care.
Train
Volunteers are trained in tutoring, confidentiality, and spotting abuse and neglect.
Screen & Match
After a background check, we match the volunteer tutor with a foster child who is behind in school.
Tutor Weekly
Our tutors meet weekly with their foster until the foster reaches grade level.
Our Program Is Free.
Our program is free to foster children and their families.
Privately Funded.
We take no tax money. We’re supported entirely by private donations.
Get Involved
There are several ways to help The WHIT Program serve children in foster care.
Make a Donation
If you would like to support our work, you can make a donation to The WHIT Program.
DONATE ›Bring WHIT to Your Campus
If you are a college or university interested in making our program available to your students, please contact us.
CONTACT US ›Become a Tutor
If you are a university student and would like to become a tutor, learn more about joining The WHIT Program.
BECOME A TUTOR ›Refer a Student
If you are a CPS or foster care worker and would like to refer a child in foster care to our program, start here.
REFER A STUDENT ›Help a Foster Child Catch Up.
Whether you tutor, refer a student, partner with The WHIT Program, or make a donation, you can help a foster child succeed in school.