It’s no secret that relationship building is a critical component of engaging youth in in- and out- of- school- time learning opportunities. These relationships form overtime, with consistent positive interactions and support from youth workers. This is a story written by Laura, our True North AmeriCorps member at The Little Y, the after-school program at the Harbor Highlands Community Services branch of the Duluth YMCA. Her efforts towards consistently being available to the youth at The Little Y for homework help have not gone unnoticed. They may not tell you right away, but kids really do appreciate the support they receive daily from our members. Thanks for the story, Laura, and keep up the day to day academic support for the kids!
Within my first few weeks of starting my service, I discovered many of the kids did not care to get homework help at our program. They came for snack and to hang out with their friends. As workers/ teachers we would try to ask students as they came in if they had any homework and if they wanted help to get it done right away. While many passed on the offer there were a couple of students who did take up this offer. It was only once or twice a week but they would come right away and pull out their homework and ask for help.
After a month or two had gone by, one of the students pulled me to the side after helping them finish their homework. I could tell they seemed a little emotional and continued to ask them what was wrong. They admitted that it was nice to have someone they could come to help them with their homework and how much it helped them being able to get it done right away. They didn’t have to worry about getting it done later. They felt comfortable knowing that I was here to talk to and have help when they needed it.
This obviously made me feel like my presence at this program while being slow, is making an impact with these kids. There are still struggles and trying to make relationships with these kids but I know that I am not in the same place as when I started.
-Laura Meillier, True North AmeriCorps Member at The Little Y After-school Program at Harbor Highlands Community Services Branch of the Duluth YMCA