Published: July 21, 2009 08:27 pm         

Summer program focuses on students’ needs

Educational/Family Services offers free tutoring to school-age children, GED courses

St. Mary-of-the-Woods — Eight-year-old Brandi Reed has been tutored at Educational/Family Services in West Terre Haute for nearly two years, since she was in kindergarten.

“I like it. I like the books. It’s a little bit easy. And we get to eat our snacks outside,” Brandi said. As a result of the tutoring she receives, “math is a little bit easier at school,” she said.

Right now Reed is involved in the summer program, which runs seven weeks from June 16-July 30 at Educational/Family Services, located at 3850 U.S. 150 in West Terre Haute. She gets one-on-one tutoring three times a week for an hour each.

A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods and a program of Guerin Outreach Ministries, Educational/Family Services offers free tutoring to school-age children and GED preparation courses to adults. In addition to two paid staff, members of the community, including college students and retired sisters, volunteer as tutors.

One such volunteer and Reed’s tutor is Tom Milner of rural north Terre Haute. Milner has been volunteering as a tutor at Educational/Family Services for nearly a year. He first learned about EFS while looking online for volunteer service opportunities working with children.

“I think it’s a lot of fun. I really feel like I’m accomplishing something,” Milner said.

The summer program differs from the school year in that there is no homework, so instead Milner sets up the lessons the kids work on.

“I mostly try to find as many educational games to make it as fun as possible while they learn, especially math games,” he said.

“Some kids are hard to work with because they don’t really want to learn. So I try to make it seem fun. I remember when I was in school; I really didn’t think I would use what I learned in the real world. So I like to tell the kids I work with what I do at work and how math is involved and what I really need to know of math for my job,” Milner said.

Reed’s mom, MaryJo Reed of Shepardsville, is happy with the services her daughter receives at Educational/Family Services.

“I appreciate that they actually take time to sit down with my child and target areas she really needs to work on,” Reed said.

Educational/Family Services was recommended to her from her daughter’s school, Fayette Elementary.

“I’ve seen a lot of improvement. Her grades in math are up. Her reading is definitely up, and her writing and language went up a letter grade,” Reed said.

The current summer program Reed is attending focuses on children who need special attention or attention in particular areas. Seven children are currently in the program. The regular fall tutoring schedule will resume after Labor Day.

For more information on services available at Educational/Family Services, call (812) 535-4206 or visit www.GuerinOutreachMinistries.org.

Last year Educational/Family Services provided tutoring for 84 children and adults. The not-for-profit ministry is always in search of further funding and donations in kind to continue to offer free tutoring to children and adults in West Terre Haute and surrounding areas. Current needs include snacks for the children and money for operational expenses. Volunteer tutors are always welcome.