Helpful Pages at CBS4.com
Jun 16, 2008 9:47 pm US/Eastern
School Budget Cuts May End Tutor/Mentor Program
All Aboard Educational Services
It's A Tutoring & Mentoring Program For Students
There's Also An Adult Program
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
In Miami-Dade schools, the budget remains the hot topic. Board members will vote later this week on the latest round of cuts which are coming due to a
quarter billion dollar deficit. Eight hundred teaching positions have already been eliminated and now, one of the programs that may be shut down is an educational program that has changed one's family life and put them on to the path of success. It's called "
All Aboard Educational Services" which offers tutoring and mentoring programs for young students in order to help them achieve the skills necessary to succeed in school.
CBS4'S Jorge Estevez was with student Felipe Martinez as he did his math homework. It's something he had trouble with before joining the tutoring program at All Aboard Educational Services in Little Havana.
"It helps me because I learn how to read and I made lots of new friends," said Martinez.
Felipe has made 200 new friends across Miami-Dade who take part in this tutoring program which could end soon when Miami-Dade cuts $284-million dollars from its budget.
"I am really very frightened for our families I am really very frightened for our community if programs are not funded," said Marta Fernandez, who works at the tutoring center.
All Aboard Educational Services doesn't just offer tutoring, the program helped Felipe's mother, Sandra Salinas, get back on her feet after leaving an alleged abusive relationship.
"My heart is more happy," Sandra Salinas said. Sandra speaks English, has a job and recently became an American citizen thanks to All Aboard's Adult Program.
"This is very important for my life and for my son too," she said. Her son remembers what it was like at home before he started the program.
"It gives me goose bumps," explained Felipe because school was so difficult for him. "Because I get flash backs, but now they helped me and I am a little better now."
Felipe is excited about learning and relieved that he and his mom are on the right track. He says he just wants to stay as happy as he is now, forever. "This place has helped me a lot with my homework and everything."
On Wednesday, the All Aboard Educational Staff will have a better idea whether or not their funding is going to get cut and what will happen to the 200 students that come there to learn.
The Miami-Dade budget gives $47-thousand dollars to the program. They have five different programs which they subsidize with grant money and the center provides about 5-thousand hours of one on one tutoring a year.
If you'd like more information about All Aboard Educational Services, just visit the
Institute for Child & Family Health web site. You can find locations, program information and even make a donation.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS 4 Jobs
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
