How Do You Make a Difference in Your Community?

November 13, 2018

Today, UNC Charlotte and TIAA partnered to host the “Making A Difference in the Community” Luncheon to honor Charlotte-area Difference Makers in recognition of TIAA’s centennial anniversary. On this #WorldKindnessDay2018, as we ‘celebrate and promote good deeds’, Executive Director Emily Elliott was among five individuals honored for making a significant difference in the Charlotte community.

“It is exciting to see the work of our volunteers and students getting recognized, and I am honored to accept this recognition on their behalf! If you are not yet a Heart tutor, we need you to join the team at hearttutoring.org!” Elliott says.

TIAA, one of Heart Tutoring’s volunteer partners and donors, even took it a step further by asking, “What kind of difference maker are you?” An Advocate, a Connector, or a Giver? Jarian Kerekes, TIAA’s Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and a devoted ambassador of Heart Tutoring, was able to highlight some of the reasons why Elliott and Heart Tutoring were deserving of such an honor. He has also been instrumental in engaging more than 60 TIAA employees to serve as Heart Tutoring volunteers.

As an Advocate for local elementary students who have fallen behind in math, a Connector of willing volunteers to deserving students and a Giver of time, talent and resources, Elliott was humbled to accept this recognition on behalf of Heart Tutoring’s volunteers, students, and partners. She has led Heart Tutoring in its substantial growth from serving 2 CMS elementary schools in the 2013/14 school year to 22 schools in the 2018/19 school year. In addition, over 1,000 volunteers are currently supporting CMS elementary students who have fallen behind in math.

UNCC’s partnership with Heart Tutoring, by providing student volunteers from the Cato College of Education, has enabled Heart Tutoring to provide an unprecedented number of volunteers to individual elementary schools. Continued support from the college’s dean, Dr. Ellen McIntyre, has ensured consistent and enthusiastic volunteer participation from 200 education majors to date.

Heart Tutoring is also grateful to TIAA for a surprise $3,000 donation announced at today’s luncheon. This donation will help Heart Tutoring to continue its mission of ensuring that all elementary students develop the strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success, by helping schools use volunteers are tutors.

Thank you, UNC Charlotte and TIAA, for your continued support of Heart Tutoring and our students!