Education plays a vital role in the current and future lives of our clients. Many foster youth slip behind in school due to focus being placed on their emotional needs and addressing other significant difficult life changes. They need the encouragement of a healthy adult who can provide guidance and support to help them value and acheive academic success - someone to let them know they can make it through even when it feels impossible.
Tutors are adults within the community who have an interest in improving the academic success of the children we serve. Tutors commit working with a child for a minimum of one hour per week for six months. Tutors work one-on-one with a student in order to target specific academic goals. Students in need of tutors range from ages 6 though 18 and live throughout San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara County. Their needs include all school subjects as well as assistance in studying for exams such as the GED, SAT, California Exit Exam and California Proficiency Exam.
Benefits and Rewards:
Studies show that children who receive Mentors are less likely to: use drugs and alcohol, skip school, and be violent toward others. They gain more confidence in themselves, show improvement in school, and get along better with family members. A Mentor is a trusted advisor, teacher, supporter, and guide. A Tutor can be defined by these characteristics as well. Some benefits of Tutoring include:
Often Tutors report that they have learned just as much from tutoring as the child has. Although Tutors do not necessarily gain more academic knowledge, they do gain a new perspective and level of appreciation for the little things in life. They feel the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment along with the child and celebrate in academic victories together.
Training/Support:
Education Training: Tutors are paired with our Education Coordinator who provides them with education training specific to the child they are matched with.
Mentor Training: Tutors serve not only as teachers but also role models. Thus, we provide a four hour Mentor Training which orients the volunteer to their new relationship.
Ongoing Training: Most agency trainings are made available to Tutors. Some of these trainings include: Relationship Enhancement Training, Anger Management, Communication Skills and Interventions, CPR, First Aid and Water Safety Training.
Staff Support: The Education Coordinator and Mentor Program Staff are readily available to Tutors to process, ask questions, or discuss how the relationship is going. There are ongoing support meetings called the Mentor/Tutor Round Tables where staff and other Mentors/ Tutors are available for support. Case Social Workers, In-Home Support Counselors and others working on the child’s case are available when needed as well. The Agency also has Social Workers and In-
Home Support Counselors on call 24 hoursper day and 7 days per week.
Application Process:
The safety and comfort of the children we serve is our priority, thus we have a thorough Tutor screening process which includes:
Program staff guides volunteers through the application process, provides the materials necessary, and are available to answer any questions.
Contact
To make a difference in the life of a child or family by volunteering please contact Julie Wilson, Volunteer Coordinator, at (805) 781-3535 or Jwilson@fcni.org.