The Eugene Family YMCA is one of the first of many nonprofit organizations nationwide to offer a new kind of learning center that focuses on providing tutoring services at affordable costs.
Based on a program created by W. Berry Fowler, the man who started the Sylvan Learning Centers, the YMCA Learning Academy opened in April and is offering tutoring in basic math and reading skills for students from kindergarten through grade 12 twice a week for $25 an hour.
Leah Redwine, the director of the academy, said she is currently working with the University to engage the services of University education majors in exchange for credit or practicum experience. She said she has set up interviews this month for people who want to intern with the academy.
“Most [parents] call to enroll their [children] because they see their kids are struggling,” Redwine said. “Others call because their kids are not being challenged and want tutoring above their child’s grade level.”
Redwine said each student first receives an academic assessment in the areas of concern in order to determine at what learning level the tutoring should begin and to develop an individualized tutoring plan.
“The most difficult thing I’ve seen is students who have gaps in math,” Redwine said. “When we’re working on problem solving, the student may see a need to add but doesn’t have the mechanics to do it.”
Redwine has a degree in education and was also trained by Fowler on how to use assessment tools. Her training and accommodations were paid for during her stay in Spokane, Wash., by the local sponsors of the YMCA Learning Academy, Sandy and Lorry Coons.
The Coons were the first of many to purchase one of Fowler’s franchises from his company, A Thousand Points of Knowledge, and they bought the franchise through their company, Point One Success.
Fowler himself started this system at a YMCA in Spokane, where his company is based. He then monitored the new system’s success before selling franchises of the company, Sandy Coons said.
After determining what worked best for the tutoring system, Fowler and his wife Anne began selling franchises and requiring that whoever bought one must start the system in a nonprofit organization, such as the YMCA.
“We wanted to offer the program through nonprofit organizations because they can offer services at a lower rate,” Anne Fowler said. “It opens up the market for more families [than Sylvan Learning Centers did].”
Coons said starting these programs was something she was very interested in.
“I took a class on evaluating franchises at Umpqua Community College,” she said. “Right around this time, Berry’s company was just starting to sell franchises, and I fell in love with the program.”
Coons said she and her husband went through extensive training, much like the training Redwine received, to learn about the program itself and how to manage the franchise. The Coons also provide all the materials, curricula and furniture necessary to run the academy.
They then approached the Eugene YMCA, the Roseburg YMCA and Boys and Girls Club, and the Medford YMCA and Boys and Girls Club with the program. The Eugene YMCA was the first to respond.
“I spoke to all the different places at the same time and Eugene responded quickly,” Coons said. “They saw something that was good for the community, and they went for it.”
Redwine said this program will aid youth who just need that extra bit of help.
“It’s not that teachers aren’t doing a good job, but that some kids just need extra help,” Redwine said.
Despite the program’s low cost, many students’ families cannot afford the learning centers, Redwine said. Coons said she has spoken to Redwine about offering scholarships, and the process has already begun.
Once the Coons establish three programs, they will use individuals for working with foundations to generate scholarships.
“We hope for every 100 kids, we can give 25 of those kids scholarships,” Coons said.
Redwine said it was a real eye-opener to see how many kids can’t afford even a more affordable tutoring program, but she hopes scholarships can expose more kids to the help they need.
“Every kid I work with leaves with a smile on their face,” Redwine said. “We’re trying to create a comfortable environment for these kids.”