What we’re about
DC kids need considerably more support than schools are currently able to provide. Two out of three DC students are reading below grade level‒more than 60,000 kids; nearly one in four are chronically absent at least one day a week. DC Tutoring & Mentoring Initiative (DCTMI) is working to change that.
Founded in 2016, DCTMI has recruited more than 3,000 volunteers in 2023 for our 50+ nonprofit partner organizations and schools at farmers markets and other outdoor events and spaces. These volunteers go on to serve through our partner organizations as “big brothers and sisters,” mentors to help high school students navigate the challenges of young adulthood, tutors to help elementary school students improve their reading and math skills, and much more.
Our goal is for at least 1 in 10 DC adults to get involved as a tutor or mentor, so every student has access to extra support. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of students, strengthen our schools, foster a sense of community, and create a brighter future for all residents in our city.
