For the kids at Hamilton Elementary who live at the Warren Apartments, the school day won’t end when the bell rings.
Instead of watching cartoons or hanging out with their friends, they will continue to study through an after-school program with tutors who are college students. The tutoring program, held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, reinforces skills in mathematics and in reading.
While academics matter, the tutoring program does more than just helping students with their homework.
“The vision is to make Jesus Christ known to these kids and in this community with the purpose being to see lives changed by God’s power,” said Eric Watkins, head coordinator over this program.
The program tutors about 30 students, a number organizers would like to see grow. But they need more volunteers.
“Our biggest need is human resources, but not just people to come spectate, but people who are called to this,” said Watkins.
Many of those who volunteer are from The University of Memphis. A majority of the tutors sign up for the program in search of completing service hours, but they leave with more than that. Volunteers say that being a part of this program has had an impact on their lives as well on the students’ lives.
“The best thing about these kids is the fact that everyday these kids are beaten down by the world and face the worst odds, but are willing to come back to the program the next day,” said Kenny Myers, a freshman at The University of Memphis, who tutors for the program.
Myers said he is inspired by the students he teaches.
“The kids are so young yet they have taught me what it means to give our heart to prove to others that you matter in a world that will often tell kids, especially kids with their backgrounds, that they will go nowhere in life,” said Myers.
Program coordinators hope to eventually bring the students to the University of Memphis to expose them to higher education.
