NONPROFIT
2023 EDUCATION EDITION
The Learning Bridge Nonpro t pairs foster youth with tutors T he Learning Bridge Program Manager Monica Wyatt spent about two years as a foster BY KEATON PETERS
MAJOR SUCCESS Approximately 5,600 youth are in foster care in Central Texas, and The Learning Bridge saw academic improvement through its tutoring programs in the 2021-22 school year.
in 2020 by Andrea Brauer, a social worker, foster parent and public policy advocate, Wyatt said. At the time, it was an initiative within the nonpro t Foster Village, which serves and supports local foster fam- ilies. The tutoring program proved successful and became a standalone nonpro t in February 2021. Wyatt said most students have fallen behind since COVID-19 disrupted the education system, but she believes youth were behind
Student grade level breakdown for 2021-22: PARTICIPANTS AND ACADEMIC NEEDS • 55 students tutored in multiple subjects, including reading, writing, math, biology, geometry, physics and more.
• Tutors range in age from early 20s to 70s.
parent before starting to have kids of her own. Through her experience with 10 kids over that time, Wyatt saw rsthand how foster youth need extra support to succeed. “You’re with those kids,” she said. “You can’t not think about them.” After 10 years as an educator with Austin ISD, Wyatt has spent the past year as the program
12 high school students
18 middle school students
25 elementary school students
RESULTS FROM 2021 22 SCHOOL YEAR • More than half of students and caregivers reported academic improvement. • More than half of students improved
before the pan- demic, and the gap has grown in the years following. “When you’re in foster care, you don’t stay in one place for very long,” Wyatt said. Wyatt said
their ability to ask for help when needed. • More than half of tutors reported their students had made academic progress.
“ THE LEARNING BRIDGE IS HERE TO SUPPORT IN ANY WAY WE CAN TO GET THEM BACK ON TRACK AND CAUGHT UP WITH THEIR PEERS.”
manager for The Learning Bridge, an Austin-based nonpro t that pairs volunteer tutors with foster youth to provide free academic support. The program
88%
95%
85%
MONICA WYATT, LEARNING BRIDGE PROGRAM MANAGER
of students and caregivers reported their tutor helped them.
of students reported having a good relationship with their tutor.
of tutors reported having a good relationship with their students.
serves about 50 foster youth at a time. As the program manager, a big part of Wyatt’s job is matching students with the right tutor for them. The tutors must be age 20 or older, have at least two strong refer- ences, and be able to pass a back- ground check. Tutors are expected to commit a year to volunteer with the program. Wyatt said tutors should have a solid attitude for working with fos- ter youth. She said the tutors “have a passion for what they do, and the kids respond really well to it.” The Learning Bridge was founded
foster youth often have trauma that can make learning a greater challenge, and The Learning Bridge is “here to support in any way we can to get them back on track and caught up with their peers.” The busiest season for the program tends to be at the beginning of each school semester in August and Janu- ary as well as also around the midway point of each semester. Around these times, The Learn- ing Bridge will sometimes have to turn away students due to a lack of quali ed tutors. “We’re always looking for tutors,” Wyatt said.
HOW TO VOLUNTEER The Learning Bridge is always looking for volunteer tutors.
Once a student is matched with a tutor, a background check will be completed. Meet the student and family in an introductory meeting.
Submit an online application on its website. Receive a call to set up a virtual interview. After references are checked, attend a two-hour virtual training on the foster care system, trauma- informed care, and an overview of grade-level skills and knowledge.
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The Learning Bridge www.learningbridgetx.org
SOURCE: THE LEARNING BRIDGE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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