The Bryant Neighborhood Center, housed just around the corner on the campus of Trinity Presbyterian Church at 1615 6th Ave, is a great resource for the local community. They serve as a community hub to link local residents with high quality resources, where young minds learn and grow, relationships are formed, and basic needs are met – all while amplifying residents’ vision for the community (to use their words!). Get more information about them at https://www.bryantneighborhoodcenter.org/
Leaders from our Outreach and Security teams have been in contact with leaders from the Bryant Neighborhood Center to learn from each other, and to create a partnership. We are learning from them how to safely welcome unhoused neighbors onto our campus. They attended our workshop and will attend upcoming workshops, and several of us have toured their facility. We anticipate that this will be an exciting and educational journey ahead together.
Speaking of educational, one of the many programs they offer is after-school tutoring and homework assistance to local students needing help. Their goal is to have one-to-one tutoring available, but to achieve this goal they need tutors! Do you have a passion for teaching? Perhaps some experience to offer? Please consider volunteering with The Bryant Neighborhood Center! They only require 1-2 hours per week from October through June – but of course will accept more. They would like to fill 54 tutor slots, so that all 18 of their students will have one-to-one tutoring three days per week, Monday-Wednesday from 4-5 PM. They provide all materials and training. Each tutor will need to pass a background check and attend one 45 min training session.
Alternatively, if you have a special skill or activity you would like to share with the students, they have time between 3:30 and 4:00 when they have snacks and additional content. In the past they have had painting lessons, songs, shoe tying, kitchen science, games, cultural sharing, clay creating. They are open to discussing all ideas.
The most important skill that a person needs to have to be a successful tutor is a willingness to come alongside a student and engage with them. You don’t have to be a teacher or highly educated. They have tutors from middle school on.
If you are interested, please contact Kelly Humphreys at tapcoordinator@bnctacoma.org or 253-272-8819. She will be thrilled to talk to you.
