By Christina Tygert

ALBANY, NY, April 10, 2007 –  There are many organizations that give back to the community, but one of the most valuable ones are that of who’s goals are to better the future of a community and possibly the nation.  Students at The College of Saint Rose give back to the city of Albany every Monday and Tuesday for an hour and a half. It is no secret that Albany is not exactly one of the safest cities around and the introduction of a good after school program such as this one can keep the children off the streets, out of trouble, and more interested in school and their future.  It takes plenty of love, compassion, intelligence, eagerness, enthusiasm, and preparation to be a part of this elite group. 

The Help Yourself Academy is a program run by Dr. Marguerite Lodico in which the college students, both graduate and undergraduate students, are mentors to third grade students of Pine Hills Elementary.  Students have such a strong desire to be a part of the program that behavior is not an issue for the select group of 21 third graders. The program encourages the children to do their best in school, which positively impacts the Albany community.  According to a nationwide survey taken by 470 dropouts by Civic Enterprises, a public policy firm, the top five reasons for dropping out of school, was that classes were not interesting (47%), they missed too many days and could not catch up (43%), spent time with people who were not interested in school (42%), had too much freedom and not enough rules in life (38%), and was failing in school (35%).  The Help Yourself Academy makes learning fun and exciting, establishes solid learning techniques, promotes the college experience, and encourages student involvement and participation in class.  By doing this the program is providing a valuable resource that could help these students excel in their future high school career, in turn possibly reducing the number of Albany High’s dropout rate, as well as bettering the Albany community.  “We always hope as educators that what we do will have a positive impact not only on the students but the community as a whole.  When we help develop children that are able to function correctly in different social situations, are confident, and realize they are appreciated we are giving the school and Albany communities’ better citizens,” said Moreno..

The curriculum is based on the science that is taught in their classes and is reinforced and often made to appear more engaging to the third graders.  17 mentors come from all different majors and backgrounds in which provides for an endless amount of opportunities that can benefit The Help Yourself Academy as well as the mentors.  Erin Tate heard of the program and thought it would be a great resume piece and great for experience with the grade that she would prefer to teach.  Tate gained much more than she initially expected from the program.  “I enjoy very much working with them and seeing their faces light up in excitement when they enjoy and understand something they did not before,” said Tate. 

            The personal gratification and satisfaction is one that Tate, as well as other mentors, cherish most about the experience.  “At the beginning of the year, my student was already excited to be a part of this program.  He is a very eager and enthusiastic student.  He has said to me that he loves coming to the program so much that he wishes he could come to Saint Rose all day, everyday, instead of going to his regular school.  That is a great example as to why I love doing this program,” said Tate.  The Help Yourself Academy appears to be a warm and comforting environment for the children and promotes their interest in science and their future after graduation.  The third graders gain more than the opportunity to better their education, but gain a relationship with the mentor that is invaluable. 

            Another mentor, Courtney Ritter, believes that the children’s companionships with the mentors are just as important to the child as the curriculum is.  “I hope that the void they need filled the most: relationship or academic is being met,” said Ritter.  Ritter describes her role in the mentor program as having, “to be a listener, confidant, friend, and extended family member of my mentee.”  Ritter is currently the graduate assistance to the program’s director Lodico.  Ritter helps prepare most of the Tuesday lessons for the entire year and has personally presented lessons on subjects such as the winter solstice, measuring matter, and water.

            The program is set up so that a lead teacher, Jean Marino, who teaches in the mentees’ school, Pine Hills, presents the lesson on Mondays and then the mentors guide the children through their experiment to insure safety and understanding of the processes.   “I have definitely seen a change in the students.  They were unsure what to expect at the beginning but now they love to go to college.  They can't wait to see and spend time with their mentors.  On Wednesday they tell me they wish it was Monday.  I can honestly say they have developed a positive attitude toward science”, said Moreno.

            The hands on activities that The Help Yourself Academy provides the mentees with supply them with endless amounts of opportunities in science.  For instance, the college had two scientists from GE come to give a demonstration on plastic, what it’s made of, and what everyday products are made of plastic.  The scientists had the kids make their own plastic goop and this event helped the mentees better understand what they were learning about.

            The third graders understand that this program is bettering their education and they don’t see it as more work to do after a long day at school.  When listing their favorite things about The Help Yourself Academy the children said, “learning about what we learned in school, good mentors, it’s a good experience, getting to meet new people, doing good and fun activities, awesome projects, met scientists, studied different scientific topics, meeting mentors, develop a higher potential, having a college experience, working on computers, and spending time with friends.”  Not only is it a fun way to get students excited about science and their education but it pushes students’ to do better in school.  “I believe their grades are being positively effected by this program.  We taught the students the same subjects at the same time that they were working on them in their classroom. We also pre-taught some subjects. I have had positive feedback from their classroom teachers”, said Moreno, “Programs such as this are important to the total development of a child. They are learning to function appropriately in different educational and social situations.  It builds their self-esteem and confidence.”

            Attending a program after school can be draining for the third graders, but the Help Yourself Academy relies on a laid back, stress free atmosphere for the students allowing them to soak all the benefits of the course.    The students walk into the college where they are greeted by the mentors and directors, eat their healthy snack, which is provided by the program, while discussing the events going on in their lives, and finally they get down to business and learn their science activity of the day.  The program is looking beyond the daily benefits of this program seeking an even larger hope for the success in both the program and the students involved.   “We seek to impact students not just in the present but for the future.  We want them to realize the possibility of mobility through higher education.  The exposure to college students on a college campus is what sets us apart,” said Ritter.  The program also helps the college students to become familiar and comfortable teaching and working with third graders.  It is not only a great program to be involved with and give back to others but it also serves as a fun way to gain volunteer hours, and it even goes on the college student’s academic transcript.  All involved in the program hope that these qualities will attract more students to get involved next year.

            The directors are pursuing the option of not only continuing the existing program, but expanding it as well.  “Our goal is to bring in a new cohort of third graders every school year.  Each cohort is invited to stay with us until they graduate high school.  We hope that through the mentees continued exposure to a college campus, they will be influenced to one day seek higher levels of education appropriate for themselves,” Ritter said.  The possibilities for the future of the Help Yourself Academy are infinite.   By having the children attend the program on The College of Saint Rose campus it gives them a preview of all that they could accomplish if they continue to stay on the right path.  This program is not only keeping children off the streets, out of trouble, and out of harm’s way, but the after school the program is pointing the youngsters in the right direction and helping them focus on bettering their future.