More than 340 people attended the Third Annual HeartThrob event to support Heart Math Tutoring (Heart) – a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students in high-poverty elementary schools develop math skills and academic confidence.

Organized by Heart volunteer tutors, HeartThrob took place on Feb. 10 at Flight Beer & Music Hall to honor the work of Heart’s young professional tutors, who make up almost half of Heart’s volunteer base. Ticket sales from the event benefitted Heart, and sponsors included: Platinum Level – Barings and Global Endowment Management; Gold Level – Eat The Bear, Pamlico and NTT Data; and Event Sponsors – Cushman Wake, Beacon Partners, K&L Gates and 9Round.

“Thank you to our event sponsors who covered most of the event costs so that tickets purchased by volunteers and friends could go directly to supporting Heart’s program,” said Emily Elliott, executive director of Heart Math Tutoring. “Volunteer tutors are doing a great job in the schools, helping students build skills and confidence each week. This event is an important chance to celebrate that!”

Heart Math Tutoring is a math intervention program that recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work as tutors in high-poverty elementary schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS). About 56 percent of economically disadvantaged children in CMS perform below grade level in math, based on 2016 North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests. Heart uses research-based assessments and provides volunteer-friendly lesson plans that target the gaps of each individual student. To date, 98% of students tutored by Heart have met program growth goals set in partnership with CMS.

Since 2013/2014, Heart has grown from serving 105 students in two schools to now serving 660 students across 12 schools sites. There are currently 750 volunteer tutors – 42 percent of whom are young professionals – who spend one hour each week delivering Heart’s research-based, structured curriculum. Much of the volunteer growth has been spurred by volunteer tutors, who have recruited friends and colleagues to join in Heart’s efforts, helping to ensure that struggling elementary students build a strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics. That growth is also reflective in attendance at Heart Throb.

Heart’s program in high-poverty elementary schools is funded by donations from individuals and grants from generous partners. Some of Heart’s largest supporters are: The Leon Levine Foundation, Sisters of Mercy of NC Foundation, The Belk Foundation, Wells Fargo, Social Venture Partners, Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation, Faison Enterprises, Reemprise Fund, and Google Fiber.

Adds Elliott, “HeartThrob has become a fun annual tradition for celebrating our tutors and friends, recruiting new tutors, and raising funds. We appreciate everyone who attended and was involved in making it a huge success!”

Heart Math Tutoring

Heart Math Tutoring is a Charlotte-based nonprofit with a mission to ensure that all elementary students develop the strong foundation in math and enthusiasm for academics needed for long-term success, by helping schools use volunteers as tutors. Community members commit one hour per week to deliver an effective, hands-on curriculum through one-on-one tutoring sessions during the school day in Title I elementary schools. For more information, visit http://hearttutoring.org.