Thursday, October 27, 2011
Its become a busy after-school place for some students in Owatonna. Kids writing, typing and getting help from volunteers like Ibrahim Omar. The 11th grader spends many after-school hours helping kids with homework.
"When I first started English I didn't have this, I had school and then I went home, my mother didn't know English," said Omar.
That's the case for many students. So they come to the learning center to get extra help, like learning how to write a sentence in English.
"This is a place where they can achieve and succeed because they're getting more help than they can get at home," said Hindi Ali, a volunteer.
It was created by the Somali American Cultural Society of Owatonna in July and with the help of a $5,000 grant from the Southeast Minnesota Initiative Fund, otherwise known as SMIF.
"We wanted to focus on immigrant workers, newer American workers in our economy," said Tim Penny, president of SMIF.
The center helps kids get on a good education and career path and also adults. But that grant money is drying up and volunteers hope they can keep the place open.
"Its very important to the community and without support it will be hard to keep running," said Ibrahim Hussein, executive director of the center.
While its not the largest classroom, like Ibrahim Omar, volunteers just hope to inspire kids to do great things.
"I feel like I'm making a difference in their lives," said Omar.
The learning center is completely run by volunteers. Around 20 kids stop by for homework assistance everyday.