Sometimes all a child struggling in school needs is some one-on-one tutoring after school, and some encouragement.

Americans Helping Americans® is able to provide support to afterschool programs, such as one operated by our partner, Big Creek People in Action, in McDowell County, West Virginia.

Michael is serving his first year as an AmeriCorps member at BCPIA teaching in the afterschool program who has witnessed children who are not eager at first to accept any help offered to them, but over time their attitude changes.

“We continue to work with them on a daily basis and all are improving,” Michael reported. “Most are doing a lot better in school and they tell us when they pass their tests and how much their grades have improved.”

Among them is 6-year-old Rosy whose spelling and reading skills “have improved immensely since September,” he said.

Another is Rachel who is eight years old whose reading skills have also shown a significant improvement since the start of the school year.

“Her grandmother tells us how much it has helped her and she is grateful for the afterschool program,” he said. “I hope we can help every child here to be a better person and grow up to be a responsible adult.”

BCPIA Co-Executive Director Dyanne Spriggs says the benefits for the children in the program are immense.

“Afterschool programs can boost academic performance, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health, and provide a safe, structured environment for the children of at-risk families,” she said. “Your support provides these protective factors to the children in our afterschool program.”