Our free programs for kids seven to 17 combat the literacy crisis head on in Philadelphia, where some 40% of high school students drop out and some 50% of working-age adults do not have adequate literacy skills. Mighty Writers was founded in 2009 by Philadelphia writer and editor Tim Whitaker with a mission to teach Philadelphia kids to think and write with clarity. We offer free year-round writing programs for nearly 3,000 Philadelphia kids at six sites throughout the city (and one in Camden, NJ) with help from 400 volunteers. Programs include daily after-school academies, themed writing workshops, mentorships, a teen scholars program, college essay writing courses and toddler programs across all sites. Mighty Writers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in PA. and NJ.