Red Shield tutoring program making a difference A safe place to get online

Our computer lab has 20 online computers available for job search, homework and skill training. Kids and teens can access learning games and do research needed for their schoolwork. The computer lab is supervised, and our computers are equipped with firewalls and software which keep the users from accidentally accessing inap- propriate sites.

Some of our participants don’t have access to WiFi at home, and our lab offers them the opportunity to safely navigate the web while they learn. Basic Computer and other structured classes/training available from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Computer Lab

Our Computer Lab helps children develop their typing, basic computer skills and research for homework. A software grant from Target has assisted in teaching financial literacy, digital responsibility, science, technology and math. The funding of this program costs $51,100.

The Red Shield provides an after school tutoring program for students at local schools. The program was started in 2006 after the Modesto Salvation Army saw a need for homework assistance for the kids that attended the local schools, according to Salvation Army Red Shield Operations Manager Maria Arellano.

The local schools that they serve are Bret Harte, Shackleford, Fairview and Tuolumne. Red Shield serves anywhere between 12 to 24 students daily and about 200 a year.

The program has advanced from only providing home assistance to providing snacks, age-appropriate projects when not doing homework, games and an educational hour.

“Not every home has WiFi access, so one of the perks of coming to the Red Shield is that they could use WiFi,” said Arellano. “Students really come to rely on the assistance they get at Red Shield. When they need help with homework or a project, they come in full force. Even though the program is only 3:15-4:15 for homework, sometimes they’re in there until 5 or 5:15 because they want the help.”

AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK & LITERACY PROGRAM

Many of our children have no resources at home to help them to learn and complete their homework. Our staff and volunteers work with them every afternoon to help them to learn and excel at school in our homework and literacy assistance program. Funding for this program costs $85,000.