The Zone Program: You can help
- Vickie Lee-Her
With the help of Metropolitan State University students, staff and community volunteers, over 160 neighborhood students per week visit the Zone Homework Center at St. Paul’s Dayton’s Bluff Branch Library. Since opening in May 2004, the library has been providing neighborhood students with homework help, computer and Internet access, and office and art supplies.
Metropolitan State students provide tutoring and homework help to visitors of the Zone, and as a result, also contribute to providing a comfortable and safe place for students to study. Tutoring involves helping students on various school assignments, projects, or interests often in the subjects of science, math, art and reading.
Recent Metropolitan State graduate Josh Fischer worked at the Zone for two semesters. "I was helping out any way that I could," says Fischer. He started out as the "math specialist" at the Zone, even though he was majoring in writing. His responsibilities expanded as time went on to include assisting with Internet research and developing and proofreading essays.
"You have to keep in mind the Zone isn’t just for children and teens; adults use the Zone also. Sometimes, I’d assist adults with creating or proofreading their resumes. Other times, I’d help ESL [English as a Second Language] adults improve learning their English," notes Fischer.
In addition, Fischer said of his experience at the Zone, "It was rewarding to help out. There was [one] time where two elementary students booked down the hallway and sped into the Zone. When they got to me, they began arguing who would get to work with me first. I [also] liked explaining politics or any issue that students couldn’t ask their parents or teachers because they weren’t cool enough to talk to."
Students seeking homework help at the Zone return often, thus there are a steady number of students that visit the library for services offered by the Zone. "I’d strongly recommend [working at the Zone to students] because the Zone is a crucial asset to the community," states Fischer. "It’s extremely necessary for recruiting more mentors because if it’s a busy day, there’d be 30 to 40 people who need assistance. On a lucky day, there’d be three or four mentors, but the reality is more like the coordinator and I were there. You can easily do the math and conclude the Zone needs additional mentors to keep pace with its popularity and use."
Metropolitan State students who tutor at the Zone have the option to work through the Americorp Vista program, through work-study, or a customized plan for course credit.
David Streier, Community Engagement Coordinator for Metropolitan State, manages student tutors for the Zone. He stresses the advantage of having a workplace or volunteer location so convenient to the St. Paul campus. Streier also states that student tutors benefit from a flexible and rewarding role at the Zone.
Streier is continuously recruiting students from Metropolitan State. Interested students can contact Streier via e-mail at david.streier@metrostate.edu or go to the Zone and ask for Charles Cobb to discuss opportunities.
The Dayton’s Bluff Branch Library is conveniently located on the first floor of the Metropolitan State library on the St. Paul Campus, making the facility an information and recreational hub for the neighborhood. Neighborhood residents are just a short walk, bike ride or bus ride away from all the resources available to the public at both Metropolitan State’s and Dayton’s Bluff Branch libraries. Tutoring is offered at the Zone on Monday through Thursday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and also on Saturday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
|
