The Arab American Family Services Student Success Tutoring Program is expanding and the weeks of hard-work and extensive tutoring has paid off. Beginning Wednesday, May 14, all tutoring sessions will be moved to The Bridgeview Community Center located on 7900 South Oketo Avenue. With the number of students and tutors increasing, AAFS wants to accommodate everyone attending and believe a larger work space is necessary.
Deama Sheika and Sophia Mohammad of the AAFS AmeriCorp/VISTA department are in charge of the tutoring program. They have been reaching out to schools to inform them of the tutoring program, as well as getting informed of the special needs that their current students have. Recently, they have met with teachers from Tobin, McCord, Oak Ridge Dorn and Glen Oaks elementary schools.
“We have been meeting with some of our children’s teachers to see how we can better improve the kids in the tutoring program,” said Sheika.
“When meeting with one of our children’s teacher it was very pleasing to hear that one of our children had passed a spelling test with a 95%, the first time he had done so in any of his grades,” she said.
“Knowing that my colleague and I have a powerful impact on these children feels great,” Sheika added.
She said that whenever she sees a client walk into AAFS, she gets inspired and affected.
“Everyone comes into our organization for different needs and knowing that we make a huge difference in people’s lives is very inspiring,” Sheika said.
The tutoring program is held every Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Again, beginning May 14th, the program will be held at the Bridgeview Community Center.
The tutoring program is for children in 3rd grade to 8th grade who are struggling in any classes.
“Sometimes Arab American children, especially if they have a language barrier, get lost in the system and are often placed in special education programs and classes,” said Sheika.
Often times, in our culture, if our child is in a special education course, there is a stigma that comes with it.
There is nothing to be ashamed about. To catch these problems early on in the child’s education career is important because it can and will prevent future problems.
If the child is not doing well, there may be a sever learning disability involved that can be discovered, worked on and possibly cured.
If you feel that your child or someone you know would benefit from our tutoring program, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
We would like to extend the opportunity to become a tutor to anyone who would like to take on this rewarding task.
For any questions, please give us a call at (708) 599-2237.
(708) 599-2237
