Sites under this team typically work with youth and children in schools, churches, and drop-in centers through tutoring, and mentoring.

Peterson Tutoring

Background: The tutoring program began about 1991 or 1992 when North Park Covenant Church members Johanna (Jo) Katter and her daughter Sandra began contacts with Peterson School principal Terry McMannaman through the Peterson School Parents Council and under the direction of the Board of Community Concern of North Park Covenant Church. Sandra married and moved away, but Jo continued to be a part of the program -- sometimes as its committee chair -- until her death a few years ago. Now her husband, Calvin Katter, is a member of the committee.

The tutoring committee made arrangements with North Park University's Urban Outreach organization to provide many of the tutors who have helped in either the early session for children in grades 1 through 4 or the later session for children in grades 5 through 8. Members of the church have also volunteered as tutors. The philosophy has been a one on one environment where the child is assigned one tutor for the whole year. This gives the child a sense of stability and security knowing who will be with them every week. Through the years there have been as many as 21 tutors and 21 children in one session.

In the summer months the principal of Peterson School reviews the children's testing scores and selects a list of those children whose scores fall a year or more below grade level in math or reading. Many children come from homes in which English is a second language or even absent. Parents who do not speak or read English are not well equipped to help their children with homework or help their children with difficulties in learning and through this program we have given them an opportunity to excel in school even in these difficult situations.

Focus: The focus of this program is to tutor elementary and middle school aged students that are having difficulty in school. Many of these students are growing up in a home absent of English and cannot receive the help they need.

Our Role: Volunteers go to North Park Covenant Church to tutor a child that has been assigned to them for the whole year. The first hour is spent on homework or working on the subjects that give the students the most problems. The last half hour is our time to play games with the students and get to know them a little better. These children look forward to these sessions and spending time with their tutor.

Site Requirements: North Park Covenant Church requires that all volunteers be interviewed and have a background check done along with watching a film on child care.

Training: We have an informational meeting at the beginning of each year that explains the program and its expectations. No other training is required.

Site Rating: This site is well suited for those students looking to make a difference in the local community and build a strong mentor relationship with a child.

Directions:
· North on Christiana
· Church is on the left - go to basement
· 5250 N. Christiana Avenue

Site Coordinator: Peterson Tutoring       Allison Ford    Allison Ford