Homework Club is a Vancouver non-profit that offers free tutoring, food and a safe environment to Britannia students. We spoke with Anna Rice to find out more about them.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Situated on the ancestral territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, the mission of Vancouver Homework Club is to change the lives of Britannia Secondary youth who live in the Downtown East Side/Strathcona neighbourhoods. We offer free tutoring, food and a safe environment to guide and support Britannia students on their path toward graduation and strong futures. We also support our students with post-secondary applications and application fees, as well as bursaries to help them cover the large costs of college and university. In our 20 years of operation, we have helped thousands of underprivileged youth graduate high school and go on to post-secondary. As a fully registered Non-profit Society, we rely heavily on the generosity of our fellow Vancouverites for donations to keep the Club doors open.
What problem does it aim to solve?
At Homework Club, we aim to solve the problem of youth who need a safe place to study, many of whom face food security challenges at home. We offer free tutoring and study support, as well as food to enjoy at the Club or to take home for folks who may need that.
When did you start/join it?
This is my second year as the Chair of the Homework Club. My mother, Dianne Rice, founded the Club twenty years ago from a small table inside the Raycam Cooperative Centre on East Hastings. We have grown a lot since then and Dianne is still involved as much as she is able.
What made you want to get involved?
I was born and raised in Vancouver and absolutely love East Van. It’s my privilege to be involved with the Homework Club, as it allows me to be a part of an organization that gives opportunity to some of our City’s smartest, kindest and most hard working kids, many of whom have overcome unimaginable adversity to be able to call Vancouver home.
What more needs to be done?
We are expanding our focus beyond high school graduation and into supporting our graduating Homework Club Students into Post-Secondary. These kids are so incredibly bright and to see their university dreams end before they can even begin due to lack of money for tuition (and even application fees) is heartbreaking. So we are fundraising now to help our brightest students with the most financial need to pay for their post-secondary tuition fees.
How can our readers help?
We have several ways your readers can help. We are always looking for more qualified tutors, and since we rely on donations to operate, we always appreciate financial contributions. You can donate on our website.
Do you have any events coming up?
Yes! We are launching our “Homework Club Hero” initiative later this month for people who would like to donate to help our brightest students pay for their university education. Follow us on Instagram to find out how you can become a Homework Club Hero.
Where can we follow you?
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