A 4-year old Egyptian boy was given a life sentence for
murder. A dude with weird hair says he can shoot someone on the street and
still win the Republic presidential nomination. And 35% of black kids dropped
out of school last year. Again. 35%!!!
If you are one of those optimistic folks who think change
begins one person at a time, and we can all be part of the solution, hurray for
you! And keep reading.
Last year, Quality Life Center launched a new tutoring program,
combining features from the Australian First Steps Literacy program with
Florida Sunshine Standards to create a comprehensive, skill-based tutoring
program focused on literacy and math fluency.
Combining in-house assessments and students' individual grades,
the Q's academic coordinator, Talissa Soto was able to identify specific student
needs and pair students with volunteers from FGCU and around the community.
In addition to helping improve academic standing, the
tutoring program builds positive relationships between our students and tutors,
who serve as role models and provide emotional support and motivation.
Shy 4th grader “Kim” began the last school year
with C and D grades, despite showing indications that she was familiar with the
concepts she was learning in school. As she participated in the Q's tutoring
program, Kim's confidence began increasing and she became more comfortable
asking questions and participating in class. By the end of the second quarter
in January, she earned all A's and B's on her report card.
You may not be able to do anything for the boy in Egypt, but
you can make a difference in a child’s life right here, right now. Help your
neighbor, help your friend, go volunteer at the Q or another organization that
could use a hand. For information about Quality Life Center’s tutoring program,
contact Talissa at tsoto@qlcswfl.org or come on in and get started by filling
out a volunteer form.
