Awake has provided educational enrichment programming to the Berwyn community since 2015. These programs provide outstanding educational experiences to children in grades Kindergarten through 6th and leadership development to teens and young adults. Families pay only $15 per child (with no one turned away), which is refunded if they attend 75% of the classes. We ask for your support to keep these programs going into the future!

One of the families that Awake has helped – that YOU have helped with your support of Awake - is Herbert, Jr. We recently spoke with Herbert's family, and here's what they have to say:

Before participating in Awake’s Summer Reading Program, Herbert’s parents worried about him and did everything they could to help. Herbert, Sr. said:

We have always spent a lot of time working on homework with our children, and we noticed that reading was always hard for Herbert. We took him to all the local libraries to find books he would like. We read with him, sometimes reading in Spanish because our pronunciation was bad, and we made him read every single day. Nothing seemed to help. He always wanted to avoid reading and had all sorts of excuses – if it rained, he didn’t want to read, if it was sunny, he didn’t want to read. It was always like this.

Summer programs give parents and children hope

Then, the summer before 4^th grade, Herbert’s mom, Norma, ran into a friend at the grocery store who told her about Awake’s Summer Reading Program.

When we heard about the program we drove over and signed up. And we noticed the difference in Herbert right away. He liked the program. He became more confident. We noticed how much time and attention the teachers gave to the students. We admired their dedication and passion for all the kids. And it’s not just that we feel better – we can prove the difference with Herbert’s grades – they have just gone up and up. He used to get Cs and Ds, and now he has all As and one B, and in teacher conferences they talk about the difference. Our worries are gone. He knows how to handle challenges that come up, and we know he knows what to do. I feel so blessed that we found you guys. And now that Herbert gets to help by being an aide in the program, it feels like the perfect circle.

You can help

Awake is at a crucial point in our program planning. We need supporters like you to help ensure that Awake's life-changing summer reading and STEM programs stay accessible to kids like Herbert. We need supporters who can help us develop new programs for the fall and beyond. You can help by purchasing a ticket to Awake & Arise: Making Music for Education event at the Outta Space on Friday, June 18th. Join us and enjoy music by local bands/artists including High & Lonesome, Steve Szczeblowski, Scott Braam of the Braam Brothers, and Steve Delisi of the Thin Cherries, along with finger foods, a silent auction, and cash bar. It's a fun way to enjoy a night out with friends all while supporting a great cause. Thank you for supporting education programs for children in our community!

Awake & Arise 2021

Kick back, listen to great music and support Awake's educational programs!

Team Members