Since 2013, more than 6,500 Calgary students have accessed free math tutoring through United Way and their All in for Youth Tutoring Table program. Now, the program is broadening its subject matter.
Aimed at inspiring students to pursue STEM careers, a $400,000 donation from Imperial Oil has allowed the program to begin offering free high school science tutoring for Calgary students beginning this fall.
Students can sign up for weekly two-hour sessions through the YMCA website, with tutoring offered in 35 high schools and 12 junior high schools in Calgary. Tutoring sessions are held at all YMCA Calgary locations, Greater Forest Lawn library, Crescent Heights High School, Village Square Leisure Centre, and Vivo Community Hub, as well as online via Zoom
“Tutoring support helps in many ways, of course, it’s preparation for skills and job training, but once you have the confidence in math or science or other areas, it helps enhance our ability to perform in schools,” said Monique Blough, Director, Children and Youth Strategies at United Way.
“We know there are a lot of connections between confidence in schools, ability to perform, and then the well-being of our young people.”
The YMCA Tutoring Table program has four full-time, four part-time staff and over 140 volunteers.
“The volunteers show that the program is just amazing,” said Cliff Turtle, YMCA Youth Engagement Manager.
“They just want to give back to the community, it’s a two hour commitment every week that they feel that they can give up to give something back to support the youth that are attending.”
During the 2024-25 school year, 850 students were supported through the program, but 600 students were unable to receive the tutoring they applied for. With the new science programming, more volunteers are constantly needed, according to Turtle.
“The kind of volunteer we’re looking for is just anybody who has that knowledge to share, especially in the sciences, biology, chemistry background and just be a positive role model or influence on the youth as they’re in the sessions as well,” he said.
Those interested in volunteering can apply via email at volunteer@ymcacalgary.org.
Tutoring sessions are conducted in group-based, two-hour increments and feature intermittent breaks. Upon application, students complete a basic exam to determine their understanding of the subject matter.
“We’re able to gauge students who are scraping by, those who are failing, and how much extra support they have. We look at what tutors we have in that area and match them up with the tutor we think is most suitable,” Turtle said.
“Each tutor would be working with up to three students at a time, and we make sure that that tutor is only focused on one subject or one course area, so that all the students that they’re working with kind of are coming with them to them with the same questions or similar ideas.”
