Mayor Andy Berke and former state senator who represented Marion and Hamilton Counties, will endorse Lenda Sherrell as his choice for the 4th Congressional District when she pays a visit at to the after-school program, Educating Youth Ensures Success, founded by Lorraine and Monroe Powers.
The event will take place 4 p.m. CST, Monday, August 18, at the Moore Park Enrichment Center on the corner of First Street and North Magnolia Ave, in South Pittsburg in Marion County.
The Powers, both 86, will discuss with Ms.
Sherrell why they started the non-profit program in the 1999 and how the tutoring program assists elementary-age children needing help with homework in English, Math and History. Students from Sewanee—The University of the South serve as tutors to a diverse group of students. What began as an daycare program for busy parents looking for a safe place after school has blossomed into daily weekday tutoring sessions are offered free from 3:15 to 6 p.m. Some days the students are taken on field trips to add to their academic experience.
“Lorraine and Monroe are the heart of this community. Through this program, children have a place to go to receive tutoring whether it’s one-on-one or in small groups. The sessions provided are invaluable there are always students who need support outside the classroom to help close the learning and achievement gap, build good study habits and enhance academic skills,” said Ms. Sherrell. “The Powers have dedicated 15 years of their lives to enriching students’ lives. It’s their gift to the community, providing a place for kids to go while getting their homework done.”
According to researchers at the Arizona State University and University of Arkansas, volunteer-tutoring programs showed students who worked with tutors were more likely to earn higher scores on assessments targeting proficiency of words, oral fluency, and writing compared with not tutored.