In the heart of Bulloch County, a dedicated non-profit organization is quietly making a profound difference in the lives of young students. W.E. MOVE! is a tutoring program committed to assisting K-12 students who face challenges in reading and/or math.
Their mission is clear: to identify academic hurdles early and provide the targeted support needed to ensure these young scholars have the opportunity to soar as future leaders in our community.
W.E. MOVE! began in 2018 as a summer tutoring camp and has since blossomed into a year-round program. What sets W.E. MOVE! apart is its commitment to providing a low tutor-to-student ratio, ensuring personalized attention tailored to each child's unique learning style.
Whether a student is a kinesthetic learner who thrives through hands-on activities, an auditory learner who benefits from repetition, or a tech-savvy student engaged by digital tools, W.E. MOVE! creates a customized curriculum to foster understanding and growth.
"Our job is to create a very low ratio, tutor-student environment so that our kids get a consistent, stable adult who is able to meet with them not just once or twice a week, but every day," Marie Williams, W.E. MOVE! founder and executive director, says. "They get this attention and they get it customized to their learning style."
Exciting developments over the past year have further strengthened the program's impact. A generous donation of over $9,000 from Georgia Power facilitated a much-needed upgrade to their learning space, providing new desks and chairs and a refreshed environment conducive to learning. Also, the addition of Ms. Nicole Jackson as the site coordinator brings quality management to the tutoring staff, provides crucial oversight for the K-12 students, and fosters close connections with parents.
As the 2024-25 school year draws to a close, W.E. MOVE! is gearing up for its highly anticipated summer tutoring camp, running from June 9th to July 18th. This five-week program offers a full-day experience for students, from 7:45am to 6:00pm, a schedule designed to accommodate the needs of working parents. The summer camp provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks, along with engaging academic instruction and weekly educational field trips to locations like the Making Science and Art Museum and the Savannah Children's Museum, demonstrating that learning extends beyond the classroom walls.
The weekly registration rate for the summer camp is $125, a cost that includes transportation and all meals and activities during the summer program. Understanding the financial constraints some families may face, W.E. MOVE! offers a scholarship program to reduce registration fees based on income level. Click here for more information about the summer camp and the scholarship application.
The success of W.E. MOVE! is deeply rooted in its strong ties with Georgia Southern University. The program relies on dedicated GSU students who serve as tutors, providing not only academic support to young learners but also benefiting from professional development opportunities and valuable mentorship. Many former tutors maintain lifelong connections with the program, a testament to the meaningful impact of W.E. MOVE! on both its students and its staff.
As a local grassroots organization, W.E. MOVE! relies heavily on the generosity of the community to continue and expand its vital work. While deeply appreciative of past support from businesses like Statesboro Walmart Supercenter 754, Georgia Power, and Pooler Sams Club (with Georgia Power being a consistent donor since 2018), W.E. MOVE! is actively seeking new partnerships to bridge the academic achievement gap for even more students in Bulloch County.
Local businesses interested in becoming donors and making a tangible difference in the lives of young learners are encouraged to explore the donor brochure available here. By partnering with W.E. MOVE!, local businesses can invest in the future of our community, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
"Y'all are a crucial part of getting our kids where they need to be," Williams says to potential community partners and donors.
W.E. MOVE! is more than just a tutoring program; it's a beacon of hope and opportunity for the young people of Bulloch County. Through dedicated staff, personalized support, and strong community partnerships, W.E. MOVE! is truly making a difference, one student at a time.
"The earlier you catch an academic issue, the sooner it can be addressed, so that by the time these children are exiting elementary school and entering middle school, they have the skills they need to move on and progress to upper grade levels," Williams asserts.
To learn more about the program or to register a student, please visit their website.
