Back to School Means Learning Opportunities for All Ages

Aug. 25, 2014 - PRLog -- — It’s that time of year. Back to school. St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center is searching for the next class of volunteers to help children enhance their school learning experience and adults earn their GED. The nonprofit Center needs volunteers beginning September 22 for the Children’s After-School Program; and for the Adult GED Program which operates all year-round. Both programs are free to students.

“Volunteers are critical to provide the best possible service to children and adults in our area,” explains Diane Renaud, Executive Director/CEO of the SVSF Center. “Volunteering offers a way to connect with and positively impact our community.”

Trained and supervised by SVSFC staff, volunteers work one-on-one with students, providing individualized tutoring to meet their academic needs, whatever they may be.  Math, reading and STEM studies (science, engineering, technology and mathematics) are key aspects to programs for both children and adults.

The Children’s program is after-school from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday at the main SVSF Center campus in Northwest Detroit.  The Adult GED program is offered  at four locations across Detroit and days/times vary, depending upon the location.  (Visit www.svsfcenter.org to find the campus nearest you.)

If you are interested in helping to make a difference in our community, please contact Beth Kraft, (313) 535-9200, ext. 3104, or visit svsfcenter.org.  All volunteers receive orientation and training, and are assisted daily by the Center’s dedicated staff.

St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center began in 1844 as St. Vincent’sAcademy in Detroit, a kindergarten for orphaned children. The organization evolved through the years and moved to Farmington Hills, establishing an adoption/foster care residence for children. In 2006, when policies and the economy changed, the Center closed its residential doors, but wanted to continue to fulfill its mission of serving at-risk children and adults. Identifying the significant need, the Center returned to Detroit and its roots of education and now provides free, personalized educational support for children and adults. These programs are designed to help build self-sufficiency skills for academic and employment success, personal achievement and dignity.