Dear Neighbor,

When we decided to become volunteers at Riverdale Neighborhood House’s new tutoring program for children in the After School Program, we had no idea how much of an impact it would have on the kids we worked with – or on us.

We were just high school students looking to do some community service and we liked the idea of working with younger kids, so it seemed like the perfect volunteer job. Once we’d signed up, the After School Program staff and a professional tutor trained us. The tutor led workshops for us and taught us different, exciting, and fun ways to help the children – or “tutees,” as we call them.

I’ve learned that if you find fun ways to approach homework – like by playing Hangman or practicing spelling by singing the words in tunes my tutee knows so they’re easier to remember – it’s possible to make schoolwork fun for children.

We’ve been lucky. We attend Fieldston, which is an independent school with small classes and lots of personal attention. But so many kids are in schools with overcrowded classes and not a lot of resources. These kids don’t get nearly enough one-on-one attention – so their mistakes aren’t always corrected, because the teacher just can’t always help everyone.

This program started because RNH after school staff members noticed that a number of children were struggling with their homework and would benefit from one-on-one academic attention. RNH already offers daily homework help to groups of kids, but needed some help to give more individual attention to those children who needed it most. That’s where we came in.

Each of us was paired with an elementary-school child who became our tutee for the semester. We got to know each other really well. The kids’ teachers, parents, and RNH staff let us know which areas each of the tutees needed the most help in. Some had issues with particular subjects, like reading or math. Some needed to learn organization skills, like keeping their backpacks in order, so they could keep track of what homework they had to do.By working on general study skills and organization strategies, we helped the kids learn how to master their schoolwork – whether they were with us in a tutoring session or on their own.  

Sometimes kids who are having difficulty in certain areas will try to make up excuses to avoid doing work. But I’ve seen firsthand that tutoring the kids can boost their self-esteem and allow them to recognize their strengths and then deal with any areas that need improvement. Working one-on-one to encourage the kids helps them learn more effectively.

When you work individually with a child, you really get to see the changes they’re making. And it was so exciting to know we’d been a part of that.

In the first few tutoring sessions, my tutee was very nervous to read out loud and would quickly get discouraged. By the end of the program, I was happily surprised when she picked out a difficult book to read and stuck with it! Even when I offered to take a turn reading, she turned down the offer and wanted to finish the book herself.

It was also exciting to see how volunteering at RNH changed us, too. Not only did we feel like our contributions were really valued and that we learned new skills, but we also learned that we could make a difference in the world. This tutoring program has been a great way to give back to our community and to serve our neighbors. That’s what RNH is all about.

Riverdale Neighborhood House is a community within a community. By becoming a part of this great place, I feel a closer bond with my neighbors.The environment at RNH is very warm and nurturing – and it is inspiring to know that such a resource exists in the area.

Although our tutoring sessions are over for the school year, our work for RNH isn’t done yet. We are now asking you to join us by playing a part in supporting these children, this project, and this great community organization.

PS. As you know, oil costs are going through the roof these days and it’s especially challenging for non-profit organizations like RNH to make ends meet. Please consider increasing your annual gift to help RNH cover these rising costs.