Frequently asked questions

The WHIT Program is a Texas nonprofit that provides free, weekly, one-on-one tutoring in reading and math to children in foster care. Trained volunteer tutors, most of them university students, are matched with a child who is behind in school and meet with that child every week until the child reaches grade level.

WHIT stands for Weekly Hands-on Independent Tutoring. The name also honors Whitney Thompson, the late daughter of our founder, Jennifer Lisson.

Whitney Thompson was the daughter of WHIT founder Jennifer Lisson. Whitney inspired others with her love of people and her care for those less fortunate, and The WHIT Program was established in her memory. Read our story.

Children in foster care start out behind. Moving between homes and schools can interrupt learning, and children in foster care have the lowest high school graduation rate of any group tracked by the state of Texas, lower than low-income children, immigrant learners and even homeless children. Only 62% of Texas foster youth graduate from high school, compared with 91% of students overall, and one in four drops out. Consistent weekly tutoring helps a child catch up and stay on track.

The WHIT Program began in 2021 with 28 children and 28 volunteer tutors. It has since grown into a statewide effort with more than 400 volunteer tutors and children in foster care.

In the 2025-26 school year The WHIT Program is serving more than 700 children in foster care, up from 28 in 2021-22, 60 in 2022-23, 170 in 2023-24 and 320 in 2024-25.

We are based in San Angelo, Texas, and serve children in foster care throughout Texas. Tutors come from colleges and universities across the state, from Angelo State and Texas Tech to Texas A&M campuses, UT campuses and more. See the Campus Champions leaderboard.

Yes. The WHIT Program, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. We take no tax money and are supported entirely by private donations.

Children in foster care, children involved with Child Protective Services (CPS), community care, and family-based care who are behind in reading or math. We tutor students in all grade levels, K through 12. We do not accept students with an IEP.

No. A student involved with CPS can be referred even if the child is still living with their natural parents.

Referrals come from Child Protective Services, from judges with jurisdiction over CPS cases, and from CASA volunteers.

Contact our Director of Operations, Rebekah Beltran, at [email protected]. She can explain the referral process and next steps. Details are on our Refer a Student page.

Nothing. WHIT tutoring is free to children in foster care and their families.

Reading and math, the foundations a child needs to succeed in every other subject.

Every week. WHIT stands for Weekly Hands-on Independent Tutoring, and a tutor meets with the same matched student each week.

Tutors meet weekly with their student until the student reaches grade level.

Yes. Each volunteer tutor is matched with one child, so the student gets individual attention and a consistent, caring adult who shows up every week.

No. Tutors help students build real reading and math skills with the goal of reaching grade level. Just as important, a tutor becomes a mentor and a positive, consistent presence in a child’s life.

Tutors log each session through our tutor session reporting system. Foster care and CPS partners use the same portal. Current tutors can also start from the Tutor login page.

University students across Texas make up most of our tutors, and community volunteers are welcome too. You do not need to be a teacher. You simply need a willingness to help a child succeed.

About one hour a week with your matched student, plus training before you start.

Every volunteer completes a background check, fingerprint screening (only necessary if you have been a Texas resident for less than 2 years) and WHIT tutor training before being matched with a student.

Training covers how to tutor, confidentiality, and how to spot signs of abuse and neglect. WHIT also provides resources and ongoing support once you are tutoring. You can preview our training on the Videos page.

No. You do not need to be a teacher. WHIT prepares you with training, resources and ongoing support.

Fill out the online application on our Apply to Tutor page. It is the first step toward becoming a WHIT volunteer tutor.

Campus Champions celebrates the colleges and universities whose students volunteer as WHIT tutors. Our leaderboard shows the current number of tutors from each campus. The initiative is sponsored by the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust.

As of November 6, 2026, Angelo State University leads the Campus Champions leaderboard with 44 tutors, followed by Texas A&M University with 26 and Texas Tech University with 25.

Yes. Colleges and universities that want to make WHIT available to their students can contact us to learn how.

The WHIT Program recognized Texas A&M University with certificates and a $2,000 Campus Champion award for its students’ participation in the Campus Champions initiative.

Give online through PayPal on our Donate page, or mail a check to The WHIT Program, PO Box 928, San Angelo, TX 76902.

The WHIT Program is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and donations may be tax-deductible. Please check with your tax advisor.

Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, December 1, 2026. This year we are asking our community to invest in the education of children in foster care. Every gift goes toward free weekly tutoring. See our events.

Your gift helps provide free tutoring, educational resources, volunteer training and program support for children in foster care. Because WHIT takes no tax money, private donations make the program possible.

Yes. You can become a tutor, attend or sponsor a WHIT event, spread the word about the program, or help connect WHIT with colleges, universities and community partners.

Yes. Our Foster Resources page lists partner programs for high school students, students starting college, and college students and graduates, including Shannon Health youth programs, the TWU FAST Academy and the CCAI Foster Youth Internship Program.

Call (530) 521-5439, email [email protected], or write to PO Box 928, San Angelo, TX 76902. Visit our Contact page.

Watch tutor stories, event highlights and training on our Videos page or on our YouTube channel.