Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County invites GREAT people to serve as volunteer tutors in the Link & Learn program at our Clubs in Valparaiso, South Haven, Portage and Chesterton. Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with Club members in 45-minute sessions over the course of a school semester to help strengthen their skills in math and literacy.
Link & Learn tutoring sessions are held at the Club one to three times per week with the same tutor-Club member pair. This consistency builds a sense of trust, leading to a greater likelihood of academic success. “Staff and volunteers are dedicated to Club members and it shows through the members’ relationships and attitudes,” said Suzanne Standiford, tutor at the Valparaiso Club. “I am a better teacher because of this activity.”
A recent Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) survey revealed that 87% of youth belonging to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County expect to attend college (BGCA NYOI: 5/15/2013). Today’s academic climate is more challenging than ever and youth often need extra-curricular support to achieve academic standards and reach their goals.
"Providing academic support to students in need after-school can be a very rewarding experience. When one takes time to help others it is often the he/she who grows from this experience,” said Elizabeth Krutz, Principal of Central Elementary School in Valparaiso. “The extra support from a one-on-one tutor can help many children reach their full potential.”
Volunteer tutors are an essential part of Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s Link & Learn and Indiana Kids educational programs. Last year, tutors and mentors helped over 2,100 of our Club members improve their reading ability by an average of 2.2 grade levels and their math ability by 1.7 grade levels.
All volunteer tutors are required to successfully pass a thorough background screening. To learn how you can make a difference or to apply to become a tutor, visit bgcpoco.org or call your local Club.
- Valparaiso—219-462-2182
- South Haven—219-759-2565
- Forrest L. “Dusty” Rhode Portage—219-762-4613
- Duneland (Chesterton)—219-926-9770
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County has been opening doors to GREAT FUTURES for Porter County’s youth since 1971. Clubs are open after school and provide a great place for youth in grades K-12 to meet friends and have fun while in a safe, supervised environment. Clubs are also open during holidays and in the summer. Annual membership is only $35.00. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
For information on membership, volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax deductible donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club, call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpoco.org. Great Futures Start HERE.