Transforming Lives Through Volunteer Tutoring
Many of our student intake calls share the same heartbreaking pattern: foster youth switching between two schools in eight months, living in three different foster homes, with math and reading skills falling through the cracks of a fragmented education.
Learning Bridge exists to support foster care and homeless youth facing these exact challenges. We approach every student intake call with fresh optimism and unwavering hope. Our Program Manager, Monica, brings her valuable experience as both a former teacher and foster parent to each conversation. “It’s never just about academics,” Monica reminds us. “It’s about creating connections that make learning possible for vulnerable youth.”
How We Support Foster Youth and Homeless Students
When a call comes in about “Juan”, who’s moved between relatives’ homes four times this year, Monica immediately focuses on finding a volunteer tutor who can provide not just academic support but also consistency. When she learns about “Rose”, who missed half of 7th grade, she searches for someone who can fill learning gaps while building confidence.
This personalized approach—meeting each child exactly where they are—is why 100% of our students report their volunteer tutors help them succeed. It’s why scared, overwhelmed children rediscover their love of learning. Take “Sarah”, a timid 6th grader struggling after multiple home changes. Thanks to her dedicated volunteer tutor, Christy, “Sarah” broke out of her shell and now loves math—a transformation only possible through consistent, caring support.
Foster Care & Homeless Youth Reality in Central Texas
But here’s the reality: right now in Texas, 11,000 foster and unhoused youth face overwhelming educational challenges—72% failing to meet grade-level standards— and many suffer from trauma and learning disabilities. These children carry burdens far heavier than their backpacks. Their reality of constant moves, missed school, peer teasing, and emotional burdens weigh their confidence, hopes, potential of breaking free from the cycle of hardships, often including poverty and homelessness after aging out of care.
That’s why our Spring “Love Our Mission” campaign matters so much. Learning Bridge, provides free, personalized tutoring by community volunteers that uplifts foster and homeless youth and transforms their educational journey. Your support during our Spring “Love Our Mission” campaign changes their trajectory to one of stability, confidence, and opportunity.
Will you volunteer or donate this Spring to help build these bridges for foster youth today?
“‘Emma’s’ latest breakdown of grades showed 100% for all of her homework… we’re about 10+ points higher than when we started.” – LB Foster Parent
From Struggling to Thriving: Dylan’s Story
Many of our students are eager and motivated to improve their school performance, yet they lack the consistent support, like middle-schooler “Dylan”. “Dylan” came to us on his own accord eager to improve his second-grade reading level, and his future. However, after 18 months of tutoring, “Dylan” was moved to a new foster placement, halting his tutoring sessions and progress. Complexities of the system made locating “Dylan” challenging, yet Learning Bridge persisted, locating “Dylan” and reconnecting him to his original tutors and reviving his learning journey and his light. Reconnected to his tutors, “Dylan” not only advanced his reading by a full grade level in less than six months, he was inspired to request a tutor to improve his math as well. “Dylan” is thriving now, full of confidence and hope thanks to his dedicated tutors. These outcomes not only reflect individual progress but also signify a collective movement of working together with community members and towards breaking the cycle of poverty and preventing future homelessness among our youth.
“I wholeheartedly support the essential work Learning Bridge is doing helping foster children to make progress in their academic endeavors. Thank you to all the volunteers there! ” – Bharat and Baijanti Shrestha
Join us in showing your love for our future generations. When you donate, you’re directly helping students like:
- Sarah, who discovered a love for math after multiple foster home changes
- Jen, now earning top math scores and on track to graduate
- Gabby, an unhoused teen working toward self-sufficiency
- Rose, closing critical learning gaps after months of missed school
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