March 16, 2007
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS , OH – On Saturday, March 24, new University Heights grocer Whole Foods Market will donate 5% of all receipts to the Reaching Heights Foundation, in support of its Many Villages Tutoring Program. Reaching Heights sponsors the program that builds a strong volunteer tutoring base in Cleveland Heights – University Heights Schools that assist students and teachers in reaching their academic goals.

Beginning as a pilot program at Roxboro Elementary School in 2004, the Many Villages Program has systematically placed volunteers at elementary schools to assist teachers in one-on-one instruction to complement classroom lessons. Tutors are recruited from across our communities, including places of worship, businesses, and universities.

Volunteers are trained, and the lessons covered between students and volunteers all tie directly to State content standards. Next year, Monticello Middle School will serve as the middle school pilot. One Small School will pilot the program in 2008-2009, and all schools will have a volunteer tutoring base by the 2009-2010 school year.