Executive Director Philip Barnes helps tutor Lea. [Photo: Kaila Jones]

Virtual learning is difficult enough when students have all the right computer equipment, a fast Internet, and adults capable of supervising and stepping in to assist when needed. This, however, is not generally the case with less advantaged children, which puts them at a distinct disadvantage.

When Phil Barnes, executive director of the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, learned of the issues facing low-income parents who did not yet feel comfortable sending their children to in-person classes, he instituted an all-day Learning Center, enlisting assistance from Big Brothers Big Sisters, which is providing tutors.

Although there are several other nonprofits offering afterschool tutoring, he believes theirs is the only one offering virtual learning assistance during the school day.

With 24 students, ranging in age from 5 to 18, enrolled, they try to keep a ratio of one adult to no more than four students. When older students finish their work quickly, Barnes said they often assist the younger students.

“Ideally, I would love to get it to a one-to-one ratio. These kids need a lot of help,” said Barnes. “The kids are happy to be here with their friends. It’s cool to see them helping each other out, too. They tend to sit in the same spots, and they tend to interact with the same kids so it’s almost like they’re at school.”

Barnes said their board stepped in with the initial seed money and they have also solicited support elsewhere.

“We’re about $11,000 away from being able to fund this through the end of the calendar year, and that’s when the school district is going to make the decision as to whether or not they’re going to have all the kids come back. So, we want to be here and available for the kids at least until that point.”

It’s a long day for students, staff members and volunteers alike, as they are also continuing their regular afterschool programs. The facility is now open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with virtual school followed by afterschool programs. Breakfast and lunch are provided by the school district and Youth Guidance provides dinner.

“It’s been definitely a little bit of a trial and error process, but Big Brothers Big Sisters has been a tremendous help. It’s just that not all of their volunteers are available to work in the mornings, and that’s really when we need the most help,” said Barnes. Tutors work in shifts, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Another challenge is that staff and volunteers have had to learn software platforms and multiple virtual learning programs, which can vary by school.

“The general overall software is the same but then there’s different apps within the software. And some of the kids are on more of a learn at your own pace and other kids are on very structured schedules. So, it’s just getting everybody on the same page. It makes it a lot more difficult to continue learning in that sort of environment, but we’ve definitely worked out a lot of the kinks,” said Barnes.

“It’s been a huge adjustment for us, but the upshot is that this is a much better place for them to be than home. They’re receiving three meals, they have adult supervision, and it’s good all around. It’s been a learning experience, but we’re happy that we’re doing it.”

Barnes said a lot can go wrong in a virtual home-learning environment, from a lack of adult supervision to computer issues. Even they had to upgrade their Internet and call in their I.T. guy to troubleshoot a few issues.

“It takes a lot of bandwidth to be able to do what they’re doing online and most of our parents’ Internet is just not at that level right now. Then all of a sudden, there’s no school anymore. So, it’s good; we’re seeing them catch up and hopefully get back on track. The parents are very grateful.”

Their Trades Vocation programs such as bicycle and boat mechanics, home economics and cosmetology and their S.T.E.A.M. Magnet programs continue to be successful.

“We’re grateful for the instructors; they’re very skilled and safety is of the utmost importance to them. The kids are just loving it.”

Barnes said teenagers in the vocational programs are among those who stay the whole day, adding, “I mean honestly, to me, that age group is one of the hardest to engage, so we’re getting it right. That’s one of our biggest pushes: keeping teens off the streets. So, it’s definitely good to give them something fun to do.”

For more information, visit youthguidanceprogram.org.