2010 Socrates Afterschool Project

8th annual kick-off

Plans are coming together for next Tuesday's 8th annual kick-off for the Socrates AfterSchool Project. The kickoff event will be held at 107 Halenz Hall in the Science Building at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. Socrates is a community outreach effort jointly sponsored by Andrews University departments of Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Physics. Well over two hundred Andrews University students and faculty are expected to be in attendance.

The featured speakers for the kickoff event are:
Andrews University Provost Andrea Luxton
Benton Harbor Street Ministry Executive Director Rev. Yvonne Hester.
In addition to Hester and Luxton, special music will be done by Mr. Johnny Edwards of Benton Harbor.

Since it's beginnings in 2003, Socrates has expanded beyond Benton Harbor to serve other Berrien County students in Berrien Springs and Buchanan. Andrews University students, staff and faculty provide K-12 students with free tutoring and homework assistance in all subject areas including science, mathematics and reading.

Under the leadership of Dr. Desmond Murray, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Andrews University, Socrates continues to invite more individuals to volunteer their time and talent. Tutoring involves a commitment of only two hours per week. Non-tutoring things that Socrates needs help with include: writing stories about the Socrates Project; taking photographs of tutors in action; encouraging family, friends, and retired persons to get involved; building and maintaining a Socrates website; providing adult presence and supervision; and inviting us to come to your organization and talk about Socrates. Murray said, "Being involved in Socrates can show a boy how to become a man; show a girl that she can dream big; inspire self-worth, values and personal greatness in our youth and model positive attitudes and life style for our youth. This is a way of touching someone's life that can be truly life-changing. If you can read, write or count, you can help."

In addition to the September 7th kickoff, all potential tutors and volunteers are invited to attend the Socrates Workshop on Sunday, September 12 at 107 Halenz Hall on Andrews University campus at 2:30 pm. The main objectives of the workshop are to allow networking and facilitate scheduling between tutoring volunteers and site coordinators from Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, and Buchanan. All are encouraged to join Socrates Facebook community.

Socrates provides the opportunity...you provide the hope!