Helping Children to Catch Up

Mindful Community Tutors’ (MCT’s) mission is to enhance academic skills and overall well-being by providing free coaching, tutoring and a joyful connection between seniors and children.

Supporting Teachers

Teachers identify students who could benefit from one-on-one attention. MCT matches those children with volunteer seniors who tutor them either virtually or in person.

Learning & Self-Esteem

MCT fosters learning and boosts self-esteem through relevant core subject tutoring and mindfulness exercises that calm children and expand their ability to focus.

Confidence Building

“MCT’s attention and support has be invaluable in terms of Finley’s confidence, she has benefited the most from this program from the personal relationship that has grown between her and Art, the tutor, it’s the conversations that happen in-between the learning, that means the most…”

WAYS TO HELP

Interested in learning about tutoring or helping in other ways?

DONATE VIA GOFUNDME

Although our tutoring is totally free, there are other program expenses involved.

OUR APPROACH

How Mindful Community Tutors works with students and teachers.

Our Approach

Mindful Community Tutors works in a unique way, combining academic instruction,  under guidance from teachers,  with calming techniques designed to increase concentration and build confidence.

Ways to Help

Become a Tutor

Do you have a genuine desire to connect and help children who are struggling academically?

Donate

As a small non-profit, with big goals, funds are always needed for program expenses.

Identify Schools

Do you know of a school whose students might benefit from tutoring?

Technology Assistance

Tutors sometimes needed your technical expertise navigating our virtual platforms.

Spread the Word

If you think what we are doing is worthwhile, please tell others!

Grant Applications

We’re always looking for volunteers to identify and submit grant opportunities.

Our tutors and students celebrating the end of a very successful year of tutoring!

“For years people thought the best thing you could do for a lonely person is to give them support Actually, we found that it’s about receiving and also giving back"

Dr Stephanie Cacioppo
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago

Meet Our Team

Dr Sue Zilberstein

Dr Sue Zilberstein

Chair

Christine O’Brien

Christine O’Brien

Director

Rachel DeWoskin

Rachel DeWoskin

Director

Art Zilberstein

Art Zilberstein

Director

William Ayers

William Ayers

Director

Zio Perez

Zio Perez

Director

Rachel Walsh

Rachel Walsh

Director

Andrea White

Andrea White

Director

Rakesh Menon

Rakesh Menon

Tech Support

Testimonials

What People Are Saying

“There has been academic and social progress! The kids are so excited to teach others and the steps to solve addition problems. They do it with such confidence! The 1:1 attention has strengthened their self-esteem and I thank you so much for that.”

Milly Rodriguez
Second Grade Teacher, (After 2 months of teaching)

“Finley has had a wonderful experience participating in the tutoring program while being in the second grade at her school. The individualized one on one attention and support has be invaluable in terms of Finley’s confidence as a student in math and spelling. Even more then this, I think Finley has benefited the most from this program because of the personal relationship that has grown between her and Art, the tutor. It’s the conversations and personal connection that happens in between the learning, that means the most to Finley as well as myself, her mom.”

Sarah
Finley's Mom

“I am deeply grateful for our experience with tutoring, it has been incredible. My son was nervous and grumbling about getting started and immediately following his first meeting with Miss Chris declared, “That was way better than I expected!” Miss Chris’ positive demeanor, warmth and encouragement has fostered confidence and a positive frame of mind in my son. I especially appreciate the attunement to mindfulness practices, we’ve incorporated them outside of tutoring and value the attention to building this skill.”

Jessica's Mom

“I get like Augie, my dog, when I’m tutoring Lincoln…so excited! It’s almost like a high. Actually, it is a high. I just adore this wonderful little boy.”

Chris
Volunteer Tutor

“Children have returned to school after a year of remote learning with anxiety and academic needs. Mindful Community Tutors provides students with the opportunity to meet grade level expectations through mindfulness exercises and reinforcement of academic skills. It is the partnership teachers need to take care of the whole child (mind and soul). I ask myself every year if I have done my best to meet the needs of every child in my class, but this year with the help of Mindful Community Tutors, I know I will.”

Milly Rodriguez
Second Grade Teacher

“I use a systems thinking approach to teach the importance of contribution, empathy, and the small acts we can do at any age to keep our community system strong and healthy for everyone.  The first thing we learn is to take care of each other, and the Mindful Community Tutors program can show children how we are all interdependent. It is important for children and seniors to know their voices are heard and valued after a year of uncertainty. The lack of human to human interaction has been damaging to so many; we need to connect again.”

Milly Rodriguez
Second Grade Teacher, (Before MCT started)

“Finley has had a wonderful experience participating in the tutoring program while being in the second grade at her school. The individualized one on one attention and support has be invaluable in terms of Finley’s confidence as a student in math and spelling. Even more then this, I think Finley has benefited the most from this program because of the personal relationship that has grown between her and Art, the tutor. It’s the conversations and personal connection that happens in between the learning, that means the most to Finley as well as myself, her mom.”

Sarah
Finley's Mom

“Children have returned to school after a year of remote learning with anxiety and academic needs. Mindful Community Tutors provides students with the opportunity to meet grade level expectations through mindfulness exercises and reinforcement of academic skills. It is the partnership teachers need to take care of the whole child (mind and soul). I ask myself every year if I have done my best to meet the needs of every child in my class, but this year with the help of Mindful Community Tutors, I know I will.”

Milly Rodriguez
Second Grade Teacher

“I believe the tutoring my son has received from Sue has boosted his confidence in school. He actually looks forward to each session and he’s interested in learning more. Thanks for helping me and him.”

J's Mom

“What I love about it, what I think he loves about it but couldn’t possibly say, is the grandma-like quality; her boundless patience, uncomplicated praise, frequently confused by the technology, happy peppiness. She is awesome”

Mom of second grader

“I enjoy tutoring a 7-year-old because I love to hear what kids this age know and think. In general, I spend very little time with kids, and I think it’s good to be around children and adults of all ages and decades. The little girl I tutor loves pink – as do I!”

Joyce

“I use a systems thinking approach to teach the importance of contribution, empathy, and the small acts we can do at any age to keep our community system strong and healthy for everyone.  The first thing we learn is to take care of each other, and the Mindful Community Tutors program can show children how we are all interdependent. It is important for children and seniors to know their voices are heard and valued after a year of uncertainty. The lack of human to human interaction has been damaging to so many; we need to connect again.”

Milly Rodriguez
Second Grade Teacher, (Before MCT started)

“Finley has had a wonderful experience participating in the tutoring program while being in the second grade at her school. The individualized one on one attention and support has be invaluable in terms of Finley’s confidence as a student in math and spelling. Even more then this, I think Finley has benefited the most from this program because of the personal relationship that has grown between her and Art, the tutor. It’s the conversations and personal connection that happens in between the learning, that means the most to Finley as well as myself, her mom.”

Sarah
Finley's Mom

“I am deeply grateful for our experience with tutoring, it has been incredible. My son was nervous and grumbling about getting started and immediately following his first meeting with Miss Chris declared, “That was way better than I expected!” Miss Chris’ positive demeanor, warmth and encouragement has fostered confidence and a positive frame of mind in my son. I especially appreciate the attunement to mindfulness practices, we’ve incorporated them outside of tutoring and value the attention to building this skill.”

Jessica's Mom

“I believe the tutoring my son has received from Sue has boosted his confidence in school. He actually looks forward to each session and he’s interested in learning more. Thanks for helping me and him.”

J's Mom

“I get like Augie, my dog, when I’m tutoring Lincoln…so excited! It’s almost like a high. Actually, it is a high. I just adore this wonderful little boy.”

Chris
Volunteer Tutor

“There has been academic and social progress! The kids are so excited to teach others and the steps to solve addition problems. They do it with such confidence! The 1:1 attention has strengthened their self-esteem and I thank you so much for that.”

Milly Rodriguez
Second Grade Teacher, (After 2 months of teaching)

“What I love about it, what I think he loves about it but couldn’t possibly say, is the grandma-like quality; her boundless patience, uncomplicated praise, frequently confused by the technology, happy peppiness. She is awesome”

Mom of second grader

“Children have returned to school after a year of remote learning with anxiety and academic needs. Mindful Community Tutors provides students with the opportunity to meet grade level expectations through mindfulness exercises and reinforcement of academic skills. It is the partnership teachers need to take care of the whole child (mind and soul). I ask myself every year if I have done my best to meet the needs of every child in my class, but this year with the help of Mindful Community Tutors, I know I will.”

Milly Rodriguez
Second Grade Teacher

Our Blog

Latest Articles

Herb Braidman 1935-2023

Mindful Community Tutors is very sad to announce the passing of Herb Braidman who was so special to us. I really would describe him as 88 years young. Once he said that he was going to tutor, I did...

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