Trinity River Mission Inc

Filing Period

Jul 1, 2011 to Jun 30, 2012

Signed

May 1, 2013

Return Version

2011v1.5

Gross Receipts

$1,711,754

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

TUTOR POWER HOUR The Tutor Power Hour program is a one-on-one high impact hour focused on improving student reading, writing and comprehension, and math skills. 3-12 grade students who demonstrate a need for individualized literacy or math assistance are assigned to a volunteer tutor that they meet with at least one hour/week. Volunteer tutors receive literacy and/or math training, depending upon their interests and skills, and each tutor is assigned two students. The program consists of Literacy Tutoring, Reading Buddies, and Math Tutoring. Literacy Tutoring: Literacy Tutoring builds students literacy self-esteem. Embedded in our training is the philosophy that students learn by doing, by being immersed totally in the new learning, and by sounding out loud their reactions and opinions of written works with the knowledge that they are supported by a volunteer who cares about them and allows them to take intellectual leaps and conversational risks. Students learn strategies to become self-sufficient, self-evaluating and powerfully independent enough to carry this learning through life. Very little of our training is about the products produced, although literacy skills do increase significantly. Rather, literacy tutoring is more about developing critical thinking skills, the underlying strength of the Tutor Power Hour. Reading Buddies: To serve students in grades K-3, youth volunteers, some of whom received literacy tutoring when they were younger, are trained to lead small group (2-3 children per group) or one-on-one, pre-literacy sessions. Youth leaders read aloud with children and conduct discussions and writing exercises. While the younger students benefit in their literacy skills, teen volunteers are empowered from a program that simultaneously builds their self-confidence and teaches them that they can succeed in helping others to realize their dreams. Math Tutoring: Online Math Tutoring: Partnered with Ed2Net Learning, TRM provides an innovative, live, customized, one-on-one online Math Tutoring program to students in grades 2-12. Tutoring is conducted online with a live tutor who works on a common computer screen and speaks with the student through the internet. The student and the tutor can write freehand on the screen, progress through lessons, solve problems, read passages, etc. For the student, it's like having their own private tutor, someone who focuses on their individual needs, is patient and understanding, and sets a reasonable pace of learning. RESULTS Tutor Power Hour: 2010-2011 & 2011-2012 Averages - 130 literacy tutors; 8 Ed2Net tutors and 7 corporate volunteers for online math tutoring - Students met with literacy or math tutors for approximately 25 sessions for 1 hour - 138 students received literacy tutoring and 21 students received math tutoring - 100% of eligible students had a Reading Buddy - 95% of students maintained a C or better and/or improved grades in reading and math - 95% of students were promoted to the next grade level that received Math and/or Literacy Tutoring - Pre and post tests were administered to all students who received math tutoring. Data showed that students improved their math scores by 25% - 98% of students were satisfied with program

Activity 3

The BELIEVE & ACHIEVE (B&A) youth development and scholarship program provides an environment of positive peer and adult support dedicated to the completion of high school and productive post-graduation citizenship. The ultimate goal of B&A is to increase the number of students who pursue and are prepared to succeed in post-secondary education. Students come to B&A to prepare to succeed in college and earn a $4,000 scholarship. Students participate in various college and career readiness activities throughout the school year, including the completion of 20 hours of volunteer time, 20 hours of computer research, service learning projects, special events, at least 10 college field trips, and various college and career readiness workshops such as FAFSA training (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), SAT practice (Scholastic Aptitude Test), financial literacy, networking skills, and career/school fairs. Students also have access to homework assistance and tutoring through Study Hall and TRM Tutor Power Hour. Students maintain an active role in the community by volunteering as Reading Buddies to TRM K-3 grade students and working on service learning projects that promote volunteerism and educational opportunities. These projects provide the opportunity to learn such skills as planning, fundraising, organizing, teambuilding, and leadership. When a student completes all program requirements (including submission of report cards and test scores) and graduates from high school, he/she receives a $4,000 educational scholarship. Students also have access to recruited mentors from Big Brothers Big Sisters. Students are matched based on common interests, career paths, and extracurricular activities. Meeting in-person at least once per month and speaking via phone/email once per month, mentors are key role models for students who assist with problem solving and critical thinking and are a source of guidance and support through the educational exploration of each student. Mentors allow students to have experiences they may not have otherwise by exposing them to art, music, sports, recreation, and other educational and cultural activities. RESULTS Historically, an estimated 90% or more of students who begin attending TRM during their elementary school years (most in Kinder or 1st grade) tend to stay until they graduate--even if they move outside of the area. These students literally grow up at the center, which is unique to TRM compared to other afterschool providers. With students treating TRM as their second home and family, tutors (often acting as mentors) who stay with the same student an average of 7 years, and the fact that many staff are former students, it's no wonder TRM continues to have high graduation rates and post-secondary enrollment. Believe & Achieve: 2011-2012 - 95% of students were promoted to the next grade level - 90% of students participated in extra-curricular activities to develop additional skill sets - 90% of students participated in special events and projects that exposed them to college at an early age - 90% of students were retained in the program - 75% of students reported a positive attitude, beliefs, and perceptions of students' self and future - 52% of students were enrolled in magnet/charter and higher academic achieving schools - 94% of students stayed in school through high school graduation - 83% of students attended a college/university or vocational school.

Filer

EIN

75-6055203