What is the Homework Club?

The Homework Club is a volunteer program to provide students with additional coaching and tutoring with their schoolwork. It is a forum for students to get ahead academically, as well as to increase their self-confidence and self-reliance.

What does the program involve?

The program involves a dedicated group of Somali students and tutors from University of Toronto, the Frontier College and Ve’ahavta Volunteers to work on school projects and homework. The group meets twice a week from 6 pm  to 8 pm in Regent Park.

The program includes specific individual and group work to enhance literacy, creativity, self-esteem and community development, as volunteers share their time with Somali youth.

Who benefits from the program?

The Somali students, 6 -17 year olds from a variety of neighbouring schools who are eager to enhance their educational skills and abilities.

The Somali community, including community leaders and parents who coordinate and participate in the program.

The volunteer tutors, including high school and university students, teachers and professionals who are ready to coach, teach and learn from shared information and experiences within the Somali community.

Who is involved?

A group of committed students, parents, educators and professionals who volunteer in a unique partnership among 3 groups:

• The Regent Park Community Health Centre, which is a community-based primary care health organization serving the residents of Regent Park and surrounding areas.
• Frontier College, which is a Canada wide volunteer-based literacy organization committed to helping teach people to read and write
• Ve’ahavta, the Canadian Jewish Humanitarian Relief Committee. Through various projects and relief efforts around the world people play a role in the Jewish value of “repairing the world”.

Program accomplishments

Since 1997, the Somali Homework Club has accomplished the following:

Assisted, guided and coached over 250 students in all aspects of school work

Seen a number of students enrolled at universities and colleges

Seen a record number of volunteer tutors return year after year The Somali Homework club has been used as a model for the initiation of other homework clubs in various communities. A number of Somali students have become tutors themselves in other Community Centre programs.

Why the Somali community?

In 1997, the Somali community recognized an urgent need to provide their children with a formal tutoring program. They approached several organizations and the Somali homework club was started, to assist students who were new to Canada and its education system.

The Somali Homework Club has space for 47 students and always has a waiting list.

How to get Involved?

Check the Local Volunteer Opportunities for more details.