I try to imagine what it’s like to be a young person right now sheltering in place and navigating distance learning. What if I had to share my chrome book with my siblings? What if my parents had lost their jobs and the stress was unavoidable? What if I lived with my grandmother and we were especially concerned for her health and safety? What if there were a baby and other younger siblings in the home who needed my attention? What if there wasn’t even one small quiet space to do my work? I would certainly be missing my friends. I’d be missing the structure of the school day and the normalcy of my family’s work week. Would I have the capability to get my work done? Would I even be able to find the motivation to fully engage in school online? I highly doubt it.
Mentoring and tutoring under these circumstances is not easy. But we are seeing how impactful it can be. When MTC mentors and tutors show up for kids with compassion and consistency, it matters. That’s why MTC is committed to continuing to shift our work, and support our volunteers in new ways. We are here to help young people engage in school, to stay on track, and to remain hopeful about their futures.
Please feel free to reach out to me any time— carol@mentortutorconnection.org. I am interested in hearing your stories of compassion during this time of physical distancing.