Rochester Better Chance - Tutoring

Last night, we had our first night of tutoring for the year. This year we will be tutoring on Wednesday nights instead of Thursday nights at Rochester Better Chance (RBC). Since I did not keep a blog all last year, I will try to explain what the program is (feel free to click on the link for more info.). Basically, it is a program for academically talented inner-city boys who, given their circumstances, would not be able to attend a very good high school or be able to graduate at all. They come to Rochester to live with a family, who is in charge of the program, and 5 other boys who are in the program (6 total). They attend John Marshall High School for all 4 years and get to go home during Christmas break, Spring break and during the summer. Their families do not have to pay for anything while they are here and the boys are given an allowance every month. Sunday through Thursday from 7:15-9:15 pm, Mayo medical students volunteer to tutor, so that they have someone there for 2 hours of the night to help them with their work (or to just make sure that they do it!). This year, there are two new students as last year, one student graduated and the other one was sent home due to his grades. The two new students are from New Jersey and the Bronx in New York and are very studious. We have so much fun tutoring and it is a great opportunity for me to practice my Spanish as well (3 of the boys speak Spanish). We are looking forward to another great year of tutoring!

To explain the first picture...A sheet is kept in the house listing what tutor comes each night and for the whole year last year it said "Brandon and wife". So, this year one of the boys switched it to say "Kristen and husband". I thought that was really sweet!

Brandon helping Demetrius with his math

Brandon and James (a new student)

Me and Will (the only senior) working on his Spanish homework even though he is already fluent!

Ranferi, Will & James