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Motivate Our Minds (MOM) tutoring enrichment program, a not-for-profit organization, was established without any operational funds in the living room of Mary L. Dollison in the summer of 1987. It was the concerns of two “mothers” who lived in the Whitely, low-income, area that felt the need to help change the educational situation where they lived.

The Whitely and Industry Neighborhoods (where the students were originally from) was characterized by a relatively high number of low socio-economic home settings. In many of those homes, education was not stressed and care-givers were preoccupied with the daily struggles to make ends meets. As a result, the children in those homes were deficient in basic reading and math skills.

The two women (a school teacher and a parent) began the MOM Tutoring Program. The purpose of the program was to increase educational opportunities for children in the two neighborhoods. Today, MOM is assisting children from Muncie and Delaware County, grades one through eight.

MOM currently has three full time paid staff and utilizes work studies from Muncie colleges, and many community volunteers to help facilitate the program. The bulk of tutors come from the Education Department and Student Voluntary Services at Ball State University.

Of the original sixteen students who began the MOM program, fifteen students graduated from high school and the other student completed his General Education Diploma - (G.E.D,) and most went on to finish college or universities and giving back to their communities. Students frequently phone or stop by the MOM building to give an update on their progress. Parents write letters to share their happiness at their child’s academic improvement. Teachers respond frequently that a MOM participant has improved in his or her classroom work.

Youth are our future!! Our mission is to provide the youth in the community with the tools to excel educationally.