Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Homework Club Brings Rock Creek Students to Latino Grade Schoolers in Aloha

Photos and Story by James Hill

A handful Latino students from Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus are learning about more than the "Three Rs" these days. A "Fourth R" – role modeling – is now a part of the learning equation, with the start of a Latino mentorship program called the Homework Club.

Started this spring and expected to be an ongoing program between PCC Rock Creek and Kinnaman Elementary School in Aloha, the Homework Club pairs several Latino students from Rock Creek with Latino third- through fifth-grade students seeking help with their studies in subjects such as English and math.

Kinnaman Principal Candace Stevens says both young and old get more out of the experience than just better grades. "This is potentially very exciting and the kids just love their `Big Buddies,’" Stevens said. "(The PCC students) seem to be very enthusiastic, very motivated to make a difference in a child’s life."

Paul Halloran, PCC enrollment advocate, whose Latino Mentorship students participate in the Homework Club, sees the potential as well.

"I think it’s a great opportunity for students to make contact and hopefully make an impact on younger students to show them what school can be," he said. "Hopefully it develops personal relationships, as well as educational and maybe professional relationships, in the future."

Stevens added that she recently received a federal grant to continue the Homework Club at her school. She has plans to keep the program running throughout the summer and into fall.

The move to increase membership in the Homework Club also increases the need for volunteer tutors. Stevens says that tutors who speak Spanish are preferred, but others with a yearning to help are encouraged to contact her. "We need all the help we can get," she said with enthusiasm.

For more information on the Homework Club, call Candace Stevens at 259-3875, or Paul Halloran at 614-7438.