Oklahoma City, Okla. (November 22) – City Care’s Whiz Kids, a faith-based non-profit organization that provides one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to at-risk Oklahoma City students, is the 2010 recipient of the Oklahoma City Metro Literacy Coalition’s Hero Award. The award is presented to an individual or organization that has worked dynamically and effectively to champion the cause of literacy in the Oklahoma City community. The award was presented at the First Annual Oklahoma City Metro Literacy Coalition Scrabble Showdown on September 9, 2010. The award was accepted on behalf of the non-profit organization by Masie Bross, Executive Director of Whiz Kids.

“Literacy, before 5th grade, is the tool that will change our city. I am delighted for Whiz Kids to be honored for our tutoring and mentoring services to 26 Oklahoma City Metro schools. I appreciate the Metro Literacy Coalition for wrapping its arms around one of the greatest areas of need in Oklahoma. It is an encouraging day when we can all work together towards one common goal,” stated Masie Bross, Executive Director for Whiz Kids.

City Care’s Whiz Kids is a faith-based, one-on-one volunteer tutoring/mentoring program that focuses on first through eighth grade students who live in areas of Oklahoma City’s highest drop-out rates and lowest socioeconomic levels. Whiz Kids is proactive and preventative in nature, targeting inner-city schools and students who are reading below grade level and could benefit most from a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult. For the 2010-2011 school year, Whiz Kids will serve approximately 900 students from 26 urban schools in partnership with 54 churches and over 1,000 volunteers.

(From left to right: Steve Surbeck, Mary Surbeck, Mei Cheng, Masie Bross, Larry Bross)

For more information about City Care’s Whiz Kids or to schedule an interview, please contact Shannon Davis at Shannon@whizkidsok.org