World Changers Mentor Elementary Students
The Human Empowerment Life Project (H.E.L.P.) started in 2015 as a response to a need, in a neighboring community, to improve the educational outcomes for its elementary students. This Andrews University volunteer organization, seeks to support the Benton Harbor Area Schools (BHAS) in its efforts to:
- Develop reading comprehension & math appreciation
- Improve school culture and climate
- Increase test results of all students in Grades 1, 2, 4, and 5
H.E.L.P. is an initiate through which Andrews University partners with BHAS students, teachers and administration, to provide resources to improve the learning experiences and outcomes for the elementary school students. To achieve this goal, volunteers from Andrews provide weekly enrichment sessions to reinforce positive values, expand literacy or math skills, improve metacognition, and develop a sense of psychological belonging.
Students, faculty, staff, and community friends, with varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, pursuing a variety of programs but sharing the common desire to improve the learning outcomes of the students of Benton Harbor schools, come together to assist the students by joining a team which is assigned to one classroom. Teams are scheduled to work alternating weeks during the semester. The system is designed for teams to work with the same elementary students each session. Transportation is provided.
This semester, H.E.L.P. launches on September 20th at 1:00 p.m. in Newbold Auditorium, Buller Hall. The initial session includes program orientation, team formation, classroom management techniques, and diversity training. Teams will comprise of three individuals assigned to one classroom and placed on a bi-weekly rotation. Each group meets prior to departing from Andrews University on University buses on the following days and times:
- Wednesdays (1:30–3:25 p.m.)—Mathematics tutoring
- Friday (1:00–3:40 p.m.)—Literacy
H.E.L.P. provides 8–10 opportunities per semester for Andrews’ volunteers to engage with the elementary students. Volunteers can earn up to 15 co-curricular credits for their hours of participation and can serve in either ELA, mathematics or both programs. Application forms must be completed to join this program. Criminal background clearance is conducted as part of the application process for all participants.
We are observing many positive outcomes from this weekly intervention. There are improvements in student engagement, self-regulation, and academic growth. With time and commitment we hope to continue to build a pipeline to success. Each semester more than 140 Andrews University students, faculty and staff volunteer to deliver the weekly program to almost 460 Benton Harbor students. In addition to the benefits to derived by the community, participants gain from serving others, and receive service-hours, and additional personal and professional development from working in teams with students in the classrooms.
Check out what we are doing on our Facebook page
For more information send us an email.