Hundreds of Recent College Graduates Gather in Wilmington for 'Tutorpalooza'

WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, August 11 and Friday, August 12, over 250 recent college graduates will convene in Wilmington, DE for the Great Oaks Foundation's second annual 'Tutorpalooza'.

The event was conceived to provide training and inspiration to the tutors at the Great Oaks network of charter public schools as they prepare for a year of service. These young people, most of who just graduated college in May, will be providing academic and mentoring support to nearly 2000 students at schools in Wilmington, New York City, Newark, NJ, and Bridgeport, CT. Referred to as the "Tutor Corps," the program is founded on the notion that high-dosage tutoring helps low-income students close the achievement gap between themselves and their wealthier peers.

Speakers at the event include Tamara Brown, the Former School Partnership Director of City Year New York, and Kia Ervin, the Executive Director of the Accelerate Delaware program. Topics will range from an exploration of race and cultural identity to an overview of education reform policy.

"At a time when our country is divided by conflict and violence, hundreds of young people have stepped forward to give a year of service through Great Oaks" said Michael Thomas Duffy, the President of the Great Oaks Foundation. "They are investing in the vitality of urban neighborhoods in cities like Wilmington, Delaware with the conviction that change begins with them."

All Great Oaks tutors are funded by a recent $10 million grant the organization received from the Corporation for National and Community Service, making them members of the Corporation's twenty-two year-old AmeriCorps program. "We are excited to kick-off the year of service with our AmeriCorps members and are incredibly grateful for the support from the federal Corporation of National and Community Service," said Great Oaks' Christopher Pellegrino, National Director of the Tutor Corps. "During an incredibly challenging and rewarding year of service, our AmeriCorps members will positively impact the children at our schools."

For more information about Great Oaks and its innovative tutoring program, visit http://greatoakscharter.org/careers/tutor-corps.

Contact: Michael McGregor
(202) 746-8099

SOURCE Great Oaks Foundation