San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) has been partnering with local community and faith-based organizations since 2002 to help students with homework and provide parents with a safe place to take their children for academic assistance.
Nine years ago, the District established seven community-based Homework Centers, funded through grants by the District and the City of San Bernardino, to encourage community involvement in the vital task of educating our youth. The Homework Centers were located at local churches, a library, and a community center to provide students with safe, convenient, and familiar places to learn after school.
SBCUSD currently funds Homework Centers at the Asian-American Resource Center, Central City Lutheran Mission, First Congregational Church, St. John’s Episcopal/Success Center, and Top Flight/Johnson Hall. All District students, regardless of their religious affiliation, academic standing, or the school they attend, are encouraged to take advantage of the free services offered at these Homework Centers.
Each SBCUSD-funded Homework Center receives a $25,000 annual matching-funds grant. The District monitors each Homework Center’s average daily attendance to make sure taxpayer funds are being used effectively. Homework Centers may serve anywhere between 6 and 36 students each day they operate. And, those students may receive more than just homework assistance and tutoring. Some centers also offer free academic enrichment and physical activities for students.
The St. John’s Episcopal/Success Center provides homework assistance Monday through Thursday between 3:30 and 6 p.m., including computer access for research or word processing. Free small-group and one-on-one tutoring in math, language arts, science, and other subjects is available by appointment from 6 until 7 p.m.
According to Success Center coordinator Kristy Chambers, students who attend the Homework Center can also enjoy field trips and enrichment activities. Earlier this school year, students visited the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles and went on a field trip to Cal State San Bernardino’s Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum to learn about Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). In November, the Success Center began offering a free keyboarding class in addition to its environmental education and other enrichment opportunities.
The First Congregational Church Homework Center focuses on providing homework assistance and academic support for students in grades kindergarten through eight, although they also welcome high school students. Volunteers help students with reading, math, and spelling assignments and also assist with science projects, if needed.
“We concentrate on daily and weekly homework assignments, and from there we concentrate on reading,” Cas Mata, the First Congregational Church’s Homework Center coordinator, said. “We take delight that we can give these young people more personal one-on-one help in the areas that they are struggling in.”
Mata added that the First Congregational Church Homework Center also provides participating students with a daily nutritional snack and opportunities for physical activity.
For directions or more information about any of the District-funded, community-based Homework Centers, contact the center directly. For information about before- or after-school tutoring programs offered at District schools, call the school directly, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Asian-American Resource Center
1115 South E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92408
Hours: 3:30–5 p.m., Monday–Friday
Contact: Rasmey Sam at (909) 383-0164
Central City Lutheran Mission
1354 North G Street, San Bernardino, CA 92405
Hours: 3–6 p.m., Monday–Friday
Contact: David Kalke at cd000161
First Congregational Church
3041 North Sierra Way, San Bernardino, CA 92405
Hours: 3–6 p.m., Monday–Thursday
Contact: Cas Mata at youth
St. John’s Episcopal/Success Center
1407 North Arrowhead, San Bernardino, CA 92405
Hours: 3:30–6 p.m., Monday–Thursday, and 6–7 p.m. by appointment only
Contact: Kristy Chambers at (909) 889-1195 or www.stjohnsweb.org <http://www.stjohnsweb.org> (select “Homework Center” or “Directions” from the menu on the left)
Top Flight/Johnson Hall
906 Wilson Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411
Hours: 3–6 p.m., Monday–Thursday
Contact: Anthony Revis at topflighteso
