With March being a month where we recognize the incredible work of social workers, we want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on the vital role they play in supporting at-risk youth. Social workers are at the heart of helping these kids access the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. And here at Learning Bridge, we are so lucky to collaborate with a dedicated network of social workers across Central Texas who help make a difference in the lives of foster and homeless youth.
Social Workers – We See You and Appreciate You!
Behind every success story we get to share, there’s a team of incredible people working together to make it happen. Among the most important of those are the social workers who are the lifeblood of the support system for kids in foster care or experiencing homelessness.
At Learning Bridge, we’re so fortunate to partner with placement agencies, DFPS (Department of Family and Protective Services), CASA, schools, and community organizations across the region, like LifeWorks and SAFE. These partnerships help us connect with students who need academic support and a little extra boost to get back on track. Social workers play a crucial role in identifying students who would benefit from our tutoring services, and we couldn’t do it without them!
Why Do Foster and Homeless Youth Need Special Support?
We all know that kids face challenges in school—whether it’s keeping up with homework or navigating the social aspects of school life. But for kids in foster care or those who are homeless, these challenges are magnified.
Many of these young learners have experienced trauma that affects their ability to focus and succeed in school. Add to that the frequent placement changes that often come with the foster care system, and it’s easy to see why these kids fall behind in their academic journey. And of course, overcrowded classrooms and a lack of individualized attention don’t make things easier.
But here’s where Learning Bridge comes in. We provide one-on-one tutoring that helps these students catch up and build confidence. We strive to help students not only hit academic benchmarks; but to give these kids the tools they need to thrive in school and in their future.
A Real-Life Example of the Power of Partnership
Here’s a beautiful example of how one of our social work partners helped connect a student to our program:
Last month, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer named Caroline was chatting with a colleague about one of the kids she was working with. She mentioned that this child was struggling in school and needed help. A fellow volunteer suggested she reach out to Learning Bridge, and just like that, the next day Caroline shot us an email, and we were on a Zoom call to discuss how we could help her student.
We were able to explain our tutoring program, and Caroline got the caregiver’s permission to sign up. Now, we’re in the process of finding the perfect tutor match for this child. How cool is that? It’s these kinds of connections that make a real difference for kids who need it most.
The Impact of Word-of-Mouth
It’s through partnerships like this—and through word-of-mouth—that we continue to grow and reach more students in need. Social workers, tutors, and other community partners share our program with those who can benefit, and we’re constantly inspired by the referrals we get from all corners of Central Texas.
Tracy Gillespie, a CASA supervisor, shares, “I understand that education is important to the success and the future of the children in our care. Learning Bridge is changing the academic gap for children in foster care and has been a valuable organization in the lives of our children. When children come into care, they are behind in school… they come from critically hard and difficult places where an emphasis on survival trumps education.”
Tracy continues, “I have a child who is 5 years old, and she does not know her ABCs or her numbers, but she wakes at 5a.m every morning and knows how to cook breakfast and survive for herself.” These stories are tough to hear but important to understand, as they highlight just how much we need to step in and provide academic support to help these kids succeed.
We’re so thankful for the many families and caregivers who have shared their positive experiences with Learning Bridge. They’ve given us glowing feedback about how our tutors have helped their kids excel, and that’s the kind of impact we’re here to create.
What’s Next?
As we continue to build these powerful relationships with social workers and community partners, we are energized about the future. We know there are still so many kids out there who need the kind of support that Learning Bridge provides, and we’re ready to help them. If you’re a social worker or if you know someone who works with foster or homeless youth, we’d love to connect!
Drop us a comment or message us directly—we’d love to chat about how we can work together to make sure these kids don’t just survive, but truly thrive in their education and in their lives.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our social work partners who make this work possible. We couldn’t do it without you! Your dedication and hard work are truly inspiring.
Learn more about #NationalSocialWorkersMonth
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