We have nearly doubled the number of tutoring sessions we have completed this year as compared to last year at this time. Last year at this time, we had completed just over 100 sessions; this year, we have already completed over 200 tutoring sessions! This is wholly due to the many volunteers we have coming to help tutor students each week. Without them, this would not be possible! I am indebted to each of you for the sacrifice of your time and for the support you show us each week. Last year, we completed over 500 sessions for the whole year, if we continue the pattern of doubling this number, we hope to complete 1000 tutoring sessions this year! If we combine the number of sessions we completed last school year, plus those we performed this summer, plus those we have completed this year, we reach a grand total of nearly 1000 sessions already! These numbers will only grow as we add more volunteers to our roster.
When I first came to realize the need that existed in our community for one-on-one tutoring and homework help, I knew the need was major, but I am shocked by how fast we are growing as well as by our potential growth. Currently, we have about 15 students on our waiting list. Each week, this number grows. I even had a woman ask if I would be wiling to teach her husband English! This is a program we would love to incorporate into our programming, and I am now researching the possibility for starting something in the winter or spring semesters. If you know of anyone that would be interested in teaching this program (on a volunteer basis) please email me: kvellenga@listhelps.org.
On a lighter note, I can tell that last week was Halloween, not because students are bringing lots of candy (thank goodness) but because while walking to LIST this week, on several days, I saw a toddler wearing his Halloween costume. Later in the week, one of the students of LIST came wearing his costume. What a fun time of year for kids, the candy and dressing up don’t have to be for one day, they can last for several (especially the candy!)
