History

Invest in Youth is a business-to-youth tutoring program created in 1997 by financial advisor Harriett Morton and sponsored by her firm, Morton Clarke Fu & Metcalf. Harriett understood the importance of a strong education in creating confident, good, productive citizens.

As a professional in the financial services industry, she realized that her peers could choose to be available after 3pm  because of the early market closing on the West Coast. She believed other financial professionals would join her to offer their talents as tutors after school, offering struggling students that inimitable one-on-one time with a caring adult.

The program developed to supplement homework at the earliest age available, grades three through five. Tutor/student pairings ideally lasted multiple years.  Schools met three criteria: a substantial number of students in need of tutoring, school administrators who welcomed the “one hour-one child-one day a week” idea and easy access to downtown employees on their way home.

Harriett began Invest in Youth with 9 tutors. During the 2009-2010 school year,  the program counted 95 volunteer tutors serving over 90 students, and has expanded to include tutors from other professions as well as high school and university students. The  size is limited to four elementary schools in order to ensure effective program delivery.

Over the years,Invest in Youth has added a culminating year end event.  Materials relating to the event are introduced over the course of the year as a supplement to the regular tutoring.   Events have included productions  at Seattle Children’s Theater,  Ride-the-Duck , and the Mercer Slough Environmental Center.

Since 2004, fifth graders who complete the program have been invited to attend summer camp.  Students attended YMCA Camp Coleman through 2006.  Beginning in 2007 students have attended Islandwood on Bainbridge Island.

Seeking continuity with students and each school’s community, Invest in Youth continues to adapt to school closures, changing boundaries and staff reassignments.