Connect Me grew a massive amount since it started four years ago, and we are still growing to this day. We are currently expanding our impact by encouraging our tutors to start Connect Me chapters at their high schools.
A chapter is a branch of a larger organization that strives to achieve the larger organization’s common goal. Each of these Connect Me chapters are founded and led by our tutors who have a passion for tutoring and continuing to help expand Connect Me’s mission in their communities.
Many of these chapters from all over the nation started up this school year and have made incredible progress since their establishment.
Samy M., who has been a tutor for Connect Me for three years, leads the Cypress Ranch High School Chapter in Texas. Samy noticed the amount of interest that her peers had with pursuing a career in education who also happened to be searching for opportunities to practice their skills while giving back to the community.
“Once I shared that I was part of Connect Me, many individuals shared interest in joining, so starting a chapter seemed like the best thing to do,” Samy shares. The Cypress Ranch Chapter recruited about 20 members and has 8 registered tutors for Connect Me.
Other chapter leaders shared similar interests to Samy’s with starting their chapter. Swara J., the co-president of the Dunlap High School Chapter in Illinois, shares that she wanted to redirect more tutors to Connect Me to further broaden Connect Me’s impact.
“I know what a valuable teaching experience it provides; I have experienced that effect firsthand,” expresses Swara. So far, her chapter redirected over 15 people to Connect Me.
Pranav R., the president of the Steinbrenner High School Chapter in Florida, adds that he was also passionate about broadening the influence of Connect Me. “I wanted to have a larger role in Connect Me, and tutoring wasn’t enough. I wanted to play a part in helping expand Connect Me and gain more reach in my state.” The Steinbrenner Chapter recently had their first meeting and also recruited many high school students to sign up as a member.
The Boston Latin School Chapter in Massachusetts president, Caroline C., was inspired to start a chapter because of her passion for tutoring. “I wanted to give students at my school an opportunity to earn service hours and gain leadership skills from Connect Me just like I have.”
So far, the Boston Latin School Chapter gained a remarkable 80 members, many of which joined Connect Me to become a registered tutor.
Silvana S., the president of the Clovis North High School Chapter in California, was inspired to start a Connect Me chapter when she noticed the lack of tutoring opportunities in her area. She highlights the terrific start her chapter has this year, with recruiting an impressive 90+ members through her school’s club fair.
So far, the Clovis North High School Chapter started Connect Me’s first pen pal program, partnering with their local elementary schools to exchange letters and offer even more volunteering services through the club. They also started Connect Me’s first in-person tutoring through their local library, and held events with other schools and homeless shelters to further expand impact.
These chapters, already showing incredible progress this school year, are eager to continue to grow and expand. Like the Clovis North High School Chapter, the Steinbrenner High School Chapter also hopes to start a pen pal program with younger students. The Boston Latin School Chapter plans to hold monthly meetings for their members, organize fundraisers, and continue advertising for Connect Me through social media. The Cypress Ranch High School Chapter hopes to provide tutors with proper resources to help their students succeed. The Clovis North High School Chapter looks forward to participating in their school’s upcoming club parade to promote Connect Me even further.
The growth of Connect Me chapters across the nation shows how dedicated our tutors are to expanding our mission in their communities. Each chapter has been working to create a supportive environment that makes a difference for students everywhere and helps build a brighter future.
Author: Diksha L.
