This month we would like to say a big "thank you!" to our partners around Whatcom County who provide free spaces for our tutor and learner pairs to meet. Having an appropriate place to tutor and learn is a crucial aspect of the valuable work being done. Pairs have a variety of different needs when it comes to a tutoring site. Some prefer a quiet, classroom-type environment, while others prefer a more social location such as a coffee shop. We work with libraries, schools, churches, non-profit organizations and businesses to provide locations throughout the day from early morning to late in the evening.
 
During the matching process when a tutor and learner are being placed, we, as coordinators, take into consideration location, time availability and environment to suggest a site that would be a good fit. We then follow up with the contact from the partner entity to see if a space is indeed available. We try to spread pairs evenly at different sites so as not to over-use any specific location. We are very appreciative of the range of sites that have been made available over the years for pairs to meet and work toward learner's literacy and language learning goals.
 
In order to make decisions about placement of pairs at sites, it is important to have accurate and current information about each location. We would like to thank three of our volunteers who have spent time this summer assisting us in this process by making site visits and updating our site book. Thank you to Russell Ritchie, Yoojung Kim and Beth Parker.
 
Thank you to the following partners that have provided space for tutor/learner pairs to meet this year!
 

Learner Andres Parra and tutor John Whitmer study at the Supreme Bean Cafe

 

Bellingham tutoring sites:
Alderwood Park Convalescent Center
Bellingham Public Library - Central Library Branch, Fairhaven Branch, Barkley Branch
Bellingham Senior Activity Center
Bellingham Technical College
Birchwood Presbyterian Church
Broadway Youth Center
Christ the Servant Lutheran
Community Food Co-op
Fred Meyer
Garden Street United Methodist Church
Haggen
Lettered Streets Coffee House
Public Market
St. Joseph Hospital/St. Luke's Health Education Center
Starbucks
Supreme Bean Coffee Cafe

Whatcom Community College
Whatcom Family YMCA 
 
Whatcom County tutoring sites:
Blaine Public Library
Deming Public Library
Everson Public Library
Ferndale Community Resource Center
Ferndale Public Library
First Reformed Church
Foothills Visitor Center
Kendall Elementary School
Little Bear Creek, Lummi Nation's Senior Retirement Home
Lynden Public Library

Also, thank you to our partners who have offered space for our small group classes!
 
Bellingham:
Birchwood Elementary School
Roosevelt Elementary School
Sterling Meadows Mercy Housing Apartments
 
Lynden:
First Reformed Church
Fisher Elementary School