Ever wonder what might happen if teenagers take their eyes off their phones for an afternoon each week? At Monument Crisis Center, those phone-less afternoons create life-changing smiles, laughter, and conversations that build connections in real life.

We have more than 20 years of experience in pairing high school volunteer tutors with at-risk elementary students, and the results are impressive. Our After School Café Youth program has proven to be beneficial for everyone involved; the children receive assistance with their homework and build relationships with positive role models, while the teens learn about responsibility and the needs of their community in their volunteer role.

Sisters Sophia and Camille Wallace, who volunteer twice a week, sat down with us recently and shared their experiences. Sophia is a senior, and Camille is a junior, and they both said that their Carondelet High School Junior Service Trip opened their eyes to the need in our community.

Every semester, we see our teenage tutors gain confidence, solve problems together, and receive a powerful reminder of their own individuality when they witness the relaxed attitudes of their elementary school students.

“I feel like After School Café has brought me out of my shell,” said Camille. “The kids are so themselves all the time. It has helped me build my own self-confidence.”

“When you talk to a kid in their own language, they light up,” said Sophia. “The first day I started tutoring and speaking in Spanish with a young boy at my table, I saw him open up. He told me about his day, and he was talking so much more to me than I’d seen him speak at previous tutoring sessions.”

Our After School Café program has grown by nearly 40 percent over the past three years. In 2023, there were 24 students and 24 tutors, some attending in person and others participating in virtual sessions. Today, Monument Crisis Center supports 39 students with 42 volunteer tutors. Coordinator Yaneli Balcazar attributes the growth to word of mouth because tutors who are enjoying the program share their enthusiasm with their classmates.

“I was nervous to start volunteering here. You just jump right in. But there are so many resources and everyone at MCC is so nice,” shared Sophia. “I got to know so many people that I’d never talked to at school before. Helping the kids together builds a bond for all the tutors.”

“My student and I fit together really well. She reminds me of myself when I was that age, always wanting to do her homework instead of group activities,” said Camille. “One day, I made her a crown, and I told her, ‘You are a queen.’ Now, when there are activities that she doesn’t want to do, I tell her she’s a queen, and it’s time for her ‘royal duties,’ and she joins in on the fun.”

Yaneli reports that most tutors only volunteer once a week. She believes the Wallace sisters’ twice-a-week dedication creates a safe space for the students they work with.

“I’ve noticed that Camille and Sophia work hard to be mentors and friends to the kids they tutor,” said Yaneli. “It’s great to see them grow, just like I see the growth in the students they are helping.”

We wish Sophia well as she finishes her senior year and prepares for her college career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and we’re thrilled Camille will tutor with us again next semester.

Additional Information:

We are honored to support tutors from nine local high schools, including Carondelet, De La Salle, Las Lomas, Alhambra, Northgate, The Athenian School, Head Royce School, Acalanes, and Monte Vista.

Monument Crisis Center also hosts the Teen Center, a safe, supportive, and nurturing place for middle school students, two days a week in conjunction with After School Café. College students and adults are encouraged to volunteer as Teen Center tutors and mentors. High School and Beyond is a unique college and career counseling program for 9-12 graders. ​The program provides at-risk youth with one-on-one mentorship and guidance to put them on track for a post-high school plan that suits their interests. Our goal is that, under our guidance, students will leave high school with a deeper sense of self, a thorough understanding of their interests, assistance in pursuing job interests, and the ability to prioritize interests and goals.

If you or your teenager is interested in volunteering for any of our after-school tutor or Summer Camp counselor volunteer roles, please visit https://monumentcrisiscenter.org/programs/community-engagement/