For the school students of the Coastal Bend, the end of the last school year and the beginning of this one have not been ideal. Students finished online, and have had to start the year online.
This can lead to some inactivity, and potentially a lack of engagement.
The COVID nineTEEN project is here to change that.
Started by rising high school seniors in California, the project pairs high-school students from around the country and around the world with elementary-school students for tutoring and mentoring in various activities.
"The COVID nineTEEN Project is a teen-run organization, and we host free daily activities for elementary students," said organization co-founder Sarah Shapiro.
The program is making its mark on the scene since its creation in the spring.
"We currently have over 800 students; 200 teen mentors spanning about 12 different countries," Shapiro added.
From Hebrew to Mandarin, yoga to journalism, the project aims to keep elementary-school students engaged in their learning, and active, while many of us still are staying inside to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We have different activities in different realms of academia," she said.
For students, it is a way for them to grow, and for teenagers in the Coastal Bend interested in providing their time, they can tutor students in their favorite subjects.
"I've tutored the same two kids pretty much every single day," said William Bacon, a tutor and member of the project's founding group. "They love the project they love learning every single day."
It is a great way to keep the students busy during their off time while parents are working from home. It allows parents to manage the pressure.
The project started as pipe dream. It has exceeded expectations.
"I really thought the project would only extend to where we live in the San Fernando Valley," Bacon said. "I don't think any of us thought that it would spread so quickly."
For parents who are interested in learning more about the program, or if you are a high-school student interested in tutoring, you can visit their website here.