Buzz Follows Summer Program Shrinking Academic Gaps
Dylan Roddy dylan.roddy@elgincourier.com
07/22/2026 11:00 PM
UnlockEd institute sees waitlist spike
A new summer program for students with dyslexia and other learning gaps is preparing to expand after wrapping up its inaugural four-week session with strong demand for next year.
Chosen Women Empower launched the UnlockEd Summer Institute last month, serving 10 students with individualized academic instruction, including STEM activities, sports development and leadership programming. With no cost to participating families, the program already has 41 students on a waitlist for next summer, according to CEO and founder Chevalier DeShay.
“We didn’t know what the response would be,” DeShay said. “The overwhelming response from families has reinforced the need for this type of programming.”
DeShay added the program was created in response to academic gaps that widened during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for students with dyslexia and different educational demands.
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