At Learning Bridge, we believe that every child deserves a strong, nurturing network of support, especially those navigating the foster care system. As Mother’s Day approaches, we recognize that “motherhood” extends far beyond biology. We witness it in countless ways—caregivers, caseworkers, mentors, tutors, teachers, and friends all step in with open hearts and helping hands.
For foster care and unhoused youth in Central Texas, these mother-type figures play a particularly special role. They are the ones who show up every week to help with homework, cheer on small victories, offer encouragement when things get tough, and remind our youth that they are seen, heard, and valued.
Our Learning Bridge volunteer tutors embody this spirit beautifully. They arrive with lesson plans, yes—but also with open hearts and endless patience. They create spaces where learning happens not just because of worksheets and practice problems, but because a child finally feels safe enough to try, to fail, and to try again.
Monica, our program manager has served as a foster mom, an educator, and mom to her own four kiddos. “Being a foster mom meant a thousand small sacrifices—and a million moments of joy. Yes, it was exhausting. But it was also the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done.”
Tutor Stories
Our tutors feel this too. They come to help with schoolwork but end up becoming so much more in these kids’ lives. Just listen to what Debbie, who’s been tutoring with us for three years and is a mom of two, said, “Being a mother means having unconditional love for your children. That is the same message/feeling that I want my tutored students to receive from me. It has taken a while, but they now know they don’t have to be perfect in their work or they can be in a bad mood and I will still love, respect, and nurture them. Most importantly, they have the confidence that I will return week after week. This allows us to have a more meaningful relationship past the work of tutoring. It makes my heart full.”
These consistent relationships slowly rebuild trust that may have been broken many times before.
Tutor Allison witnessed this transformation firsthand. “I was thinking back to the first few times that I worked with my student. He was in the 8th grade and was very much a typical teenage boy. Believe me when I say, the LAST place he wanted to be was in a library, getting tutored on a Saturday.
What was most interesting to me was that, at that time, I do not believe he placed any value on an education—and even less on the value of a tutor. I knew my work was cut out for me.
I never questioned him about what his life was like prior to his adoption. One day, however, he talked about the fact that no one up to that point really expected him to do much—if he finished school at all. From that point, he and I would talk about his dreams about his future. He has great aspirations to become a pilot. I consistently remind him of the importance of math to fulfill that dream!
This year, I have seen a maturation in him. Now, when we work together, he actually wants to be there. I have such a sense of gratification when I’m with him. I talk to him the same way I speak to my own kids—sometimes in a happy voice, sometimes a bit sternly, always with respect, and I am always respected by him. I feel such a sense of pride.
Tutoring with Learning Bridge has been such a wonderful experience, to see a child grow and mature. I look forward to continuing with this program for many years to come.”
We are grateful for and celebrate Monica, Debbie, Allison and ALL of our nurturing tutors, caregivers and supporters. Your presence doesn’t just help with homework, it creates stability and inspires these young people to imagine brighter futures for themselves.
From all of us at Learning Bridge….
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