FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

TWENTY LMU UNDERGRADS JOIN AMERICORPS TUTORING PROGRAM TO AID ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTH-CENTRAL L.A.
Tutoring Program Kicks Off November 3 at St. Francis Cabrini and Ascension Schools

October 28, 2003 - Beginning November 3, twenty LMU undergraduate students will be going back to elementary school for some interesting life lessons.

As part of a new AmeriCorps Tutoring Program, the group of LMU students have committed to sharing 15-20 hours a week tutoring children in kindergarten through eighth grade in reading and math at two underprivileged Catholic schools in the West Athens neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles - St. Francis Cabrini and Ascension elementary.

Initiated and managed by Volunteer Center of L.A., the program is the first to be tailored by AmeriCorps specifically toward LMU undergraduates, and emerged from the national organization's efforts to expand their services into faith-based initiatives.

"This program offers students with work-study awards an alternative to working on-campus," said Rob Fargo, assistant director, Center for Service and Action. "It involves a lot of training, and students will work with students from other universities. They'll learn how to become better tutors and they'll become more aware of career options in the field of education."

Participating as a tutor includes the completion of two training sessions and a service project. Students with Federal Work-Study awards may earn their award money through the program. Students who complete 450 hours of service will receive an award of $1250.
For more information on the West Athens AmeriCorps Tutoring program, contact the Center for Service and Action at 310.338.2959.

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