Supportive Learning: Tutoring at Families Moving Forward
Families Moving Forward Tutor Spotlight. Written by Dylan Novacek – Content Specialist
“Running a household and getting your kids off to school can feel impossible for any parent at times,” reflected Kjersten Swanson, a volunteer at Families Moving Forward (FMF). “Being in school can be hard for kids. Especially during a pandemic.”
Bringing change to everyone’s daily life, COVID-19 has forced us all to adapt. For our shelter guests at FMF, one of those changes has been shifting their children to online school. A task made that much harder without the stability of home. With this came a need to support our students in shelter.
“I’ve loved working with FMF in the past. Doing this work is mentally enriching to me. I am a former educator and a mother of three.” Kjersten shared. “I am happy to share my time as a tutor to support our families during the pandemic.”
A longtime Beacon advocate, Kjersten would volunteer as her congregation at Faith Lutheran in Waconia would host our shelter program before the pandemic. For her, this work is more than just volunteering. Getting the opportunity to connect with our shelter guests and work in community with our collaborative feels important.
“Working with FMF builds relationships and supports our communities,” she continued. “As with everything in the pandemic, our community needs have changed. I am happy to work with my student and be a consistent presence in her education.”
Meeting together weekly online, Kjersten collaborates with a 10th grader through her math and science courses. As her tutor, Kjersten essentially acts as her teacher. Whether it’s doing homework, going through the course material, or answering a few questions she is happy to help!”
“My student started online school midsemester due to her families move. That, mixed with COVID and living in shelter has put her behind in her studies,” she shared, acknowledging the roadblocks students living without stability can face. “When we first met, she opened up to me about her goals and wanting to go to college. She is incredibly determined!”
Without a consistent presence to guide them, many students struggle with distance learning. Too many students find it hard to succeed due to not having their own room to study in, not having the resources for quality internet, and more.
Relishing in the ups and downs of online learning, technical issues and all, Kjersten’s student is happy to have the support and help of a tutor to make school a bit easier. Going back to the top of the syllabus, her goal is to fully understand the course material rather than rushing to make the grade.
“That is just so brave of her,” Kjersten cheered. “Working together like this gives individuals a chance for success. Being a resource for her gets her the help she needs. I am proud to be her advocate.”
With experience working one on one with shelter guests in the past, it’s clear to Kjersten that too many of our neighbors live without an advocate or support system. Looking back at her time working as a host volunteer, she has seen the impact of a stable home.
“I remember when our congregation hosted. One of our guests just had a set of twins,” she paused, reflecting on that emotional moment. “We set up a nursery and provided a stream of people willing to rock her newborns. We got to be her family support system as a new mom.”
She paused to reflect on the healing power of home.
“We are all one traumatic experience away from homelessness. If I lost the space that makes me feel safe, the place I’ve built my memories…that would be devastating. I hope we as volunteers and advocates can be the bridge from chaos to comfort for the families we serve.”
Without the structure, support and routine of home the simple things feel harder. Through donating time and working as a collaborative, we are able to forward our shared mission to ensure that all our neighbors are in a place of wellbeing.
“Home is where you can truly express yourself. Recharge. And be with your family,” Kjersten asserted.
It takes $450 a night to shelter and support families at FMF. In a time where many cannot give their time in person, a gift can go a long way in ensuring that our neighbors can breath a little easier, and our young students can meet their full potential.
Working their way through the syllabus, Kjersten and her student are studying significant factors in chemistry. Something Kjersten didn’t think she’d be learning about during the pandemic.
“We’re learning this all together. I’ve even been going to my own kids to ask them about chemistry,” she laughed and smiled. “I showed my student the classic baking soda-vinegar volcano experiment!”
Through volunteering with FMF, Kjersten has not only earned a crash course in chemistry but she also feels delighted to be giving back in a way that feels significant and meaningful.
“Volunteering enriches my life in so many new ways. I’ve even brought my daughter to a tour of 66 West before,” she shared. “It feels good bringing others into this work and being of value to my community. I am so glad I can help my student get through school a little more easily now.”
We’re working to see that all people have a home, and you can be a part of too! Click here to learn how you can help support our shelter guests and help see that new homes for families can become a reality.
