News Archives - 2007

Through Safe Place, a daily after-school program held at Trinity Lutheran Church, tutors in the Augsburg Reads program offer homework help to students of mainly Somali or East African descent. By tutoring in the program, Augsburg community members assist the college in carrying out its commitment to active engagement in the greater community.

Augsburg Reads, a program of the Center for Service, Work and Learning (CSWL), is an off-shoot of America Reads, which is a grassroots national campaign challenging every American to help all children learn to read.

This school year, Augsburg Reads has helped to kick-off a program across the street from Safe Place at the Confederation of the Somali Community in Minnesota Youth Program Office. This new program works with younger children (K through 8th grade).

Omar, a six year old student who is involved with the program, says, “We have fun, we play games, we get to do good things and have help.” Sundus, another six year old, says, “Everybody’s nice and stuff with homework help. And we get even snacks every single day!”

Farah Osman, Program Coordinator says, “This program is phenomenal for the kids. The students are mostly immigrants from Somalia and most parents can’t help kids with homework at home because of language and culture barriers. Augsburg has been involved from the beginning. We thank Augsburg for all the help. We appreciate everything and we have big hope for the future.”