What is a subject and a predicate? Is it easy to multiply with double digits?

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is seeking caring adult community members to share their knowledge and make a lasting difference in the future of today's youth as volunteer tutors for Link & Learn.

Link & Learn is an after school tutoring program offered free of charge to all members of the Boys & Girls Club at all Club locations in Porter County. The program began in 2002 to address poor ISTEP scores that were affecting area schools. A continual collaborative effort between the Boys & Girls Club staff, teachers, parents, and community volunteers have helped to make Link & Learn successful.

"We know this program works," said Valparaiso Boys & Girls Club Educational Program Coordinator Maggie Dougherty. "We have heard from both parents and teachers about the gains our members have had in the classroom. Grades improve. Focus in the classroom and at home increases."

As the Link & Learn program continues to grow, the number of volunteer tutors needed to help club members with their studies also increases.

Currently, tutors come from all career areas and educational backgrounds such as lawyers, advertising executives, and newspaper reporters. The minimum age for tutors is 16 but there is no maximum age. A number of retired teachers can be found continuing to form young minds as well as high school and university students.

"The diversity in our tutors is wonderful. We not only are able to closely match our members with the best tutor for them but our tutors are also able to share stories from their daily life about why education is so important," said Dougherty.

Special attention is made to ensure each tutor is comfortable. Tutors indicate which areas of study they are strongest in and are matched with club members needing improvement in that area. Basic techniques, helpful hints and instructions are then shared between the Link & Learn Coordinators and tutor to assist in making the most impact with the club member.

Club members participating in Link & Learn range in age from 5-18 and have varying levels of ability. Tutoring sessions last 45 minutes and can cover all areas of a student's studies but mainly focuses on math and reading. To maximize the tutoring time, the ratio of student to tutor is kept as low as possible preferably one-to-one.

If people are interested in becoming a tutor contact the Link & Learn coordinator at one of the local clubs. Call Maggie in Valparaiso at (219) 462-2182; Shana in South Haven at (219) 759-2565; Gloria in Portage at (219) 762-4613 or Julia in Chesterton at (219) 926-9770.