Growing and Serving In Christ
Throughout this week, in all our conversations and relationships with others, you are commissioned and empowered to be growing and serving in Christ. As we return next week we will celebrate how God has worked through us and be refreshed for our ministry in the days ahead.
All tutoring is under the supervision of tutoring director Carolyn
Collier, a professional educator retired from the Dayton Public School
system. She comes to Trinity Tutoring well prepared, with a degree in
elementary education from Central State University, thirty one years
of teaching experience, and specialized training in reading and
language arts. During the year she maintains contact with parents,
trains tutors, and writes grants, as well as overseeing each tutoring
session. Her enthusiasm and love of reading is contagious and inspires
everyone.
Because the Trinity Tutoring Program receives money from United Way and grants from many sources, Trinity Church does not use the tutoring sessions as opportunities for evangelizing. The director and staff do, however, demonstrate the qualities of kindness and respect, while making it clear that the same behavior is expected from the children.
Those interested in obtaining tutoring for their children or volunteering may call Trinity Lutheran Church at 275-7461 for more information. Parents are responsible for transportation.
Now entering its eighth year, the tutoring program at Trinity Lutheran Church serves children in the North Dayton, Englewood, and Trotwood areas. With a focus on reading, the curriculum makes use of traditional workbooks, computer programs, games, and other activities-all designed to fill in the learning gaps of children having difficulty reaching grade-level reading skills.Children come for 90-minute sessions twice a week where they meet one- on-one with volunteer tutors under the supervision of the director, a certified teacher. The program is free.
The tutoring program seeks to serve children in grades one through five who are not reading at grade level and whose parents are willing to bring the children to the church building and pick them up.
Tutors and other volunteers come from both Trinity Lutheran Church and the community. They do not have to be trained teachers, although many are. Tutors share a willingness to serve and a love for children. Some of the best tutors have been honor students from area high schools. Trinity offers a safe place for them to fulfill their community service requirements.Be assured, if you have a desire to help, there will be a job for you! Call 275-7461 for information.
The building is kept locked before, during, and after the sessions. Children must ring the bell to enter, and parents must sign the children out when they pick them up after the sessions end. Staff members undergo a background check before they work with the children.
It is not the purpose of Trinity Church to make little Lutherans out of the children (many of whom have their own church affiliations). Therefore the children receive no religious instruction during tutoring sessions. While we do no overt proselytizing, tutors try to set examples of Christian behavior by treating the children and each other with love, courtesy, and respect.
More volunteer tutors will result in more children improving their reading skills. Adults and high school students with a love for children and the desire to make a difference in a child's life have the opportunity to do just that at Trinity Lutheran Church. The time commitment may be as little as an hour and a half a week; however, most tutors follow a two-days-a-week schedule so that each child has the same tutor for both sessions.
High Five for Tutoring is a way to support the tutoring program financiallyOne time donations or monthly donations of $5.00 (or more!) are given to support the program. With a budget of $14,000/year, we are constantly looking for ways to fund our program. Operating money does not come from Trinity's general fund. Start-up money came from a bequest from Catherine Roller. As those funds dwindle, money derived from special projects and ear-marked donations must make up the difference.
If you would like to see the tutoring service to community children continue, you can help by contributing your time or money. If you would like to participate, please call 275-7461 and ask for Carolyn Collier. She can explain the program, set you up with a tutoring schedule or make sure you receive monthly envelopes to use for your donations.
Thanks go to all our High Five for Tutoring sponsors!