Why After-School Homework and Literacy Help Matters — and Why I Started Mentorloop.

As a teenager, I’ve spent a lot of time working with younger students after school, especially kids from immigrant families. What I’ve seen firsthand is that school can feel overwhelming when you’re learning a new language, trying to keep up academically, and navigating a system that’s completely unfamiliar. That experience is exactly why I started Mentorloop.

Homework Is Harder When You’re Learning a New Language

For many immigrant kids, homework isn’t just about math problems or reading passages—it’s about understanding the language those assignments are written in. At home, parents may want to help but can’t always because they’re working long hours or don’t speak English fluently.

I saw students come into after-school sessions stressed, confused, and convinced they were “bad at school.” But once someone sat with them, explained directions slowly, and walked through problems step by step, everything changed. Homework became less scary—and that matters more than people realize.

Literacy Is the Foundation for Everything

Reading impacts every subject. When students struggle with literacy, they fall behind not because they aren’t capable, but because they haven’t had enough support. After-school time gives kids the chance to read out loud, learn new vocabulary, and ask questions without feeling embarrassed.

I’ve watched students who avoided books start to feel proud when they finished one. That confidence carries over into writing, class participation, and even how they see themselves.

Confidence Can Change a Student’s Entire Path

One of the biggest reasons after-school support is so powerful isn’t grades—it’s confidence. When kids feel supported and encouraged, they stop doubting themselves. They start raising their hands, trying harder, and believing they belong in the classroom.

That’s what stood out to me most: these students didn’t need to be pushed harder—they needed someone to believe in them.

A Safe Space to Learn and Belong

After-school programs create an environment that feels calmer and more personal than a classroom. For immigrant students, that space is often the first place they feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes.

It becomes a place where they’re seen not just as students, but as individuals—with stories, cultures, and potential. That sense of belonging can be life changing.

Helping Families and Strengthening Communities

When kids have reliable after-school support, families benefit too. Parents can focus on work, language classes, or job training knowing their children are in good hands. Programs like Mentorloop don’t just support students—they help strengthen families and build stronger communities.

Why This Matters

Starting Mentorloop taught me that you don’t need to be an adult to make an impact. Sometimes, what a student needs most is someone a few years older who shows up, listens, and says, “You’ve got this.”

After-school homework and literacy support gives immigrant children a fair chance to succeed. And for me, Mentorloop is about more than tutoring—it’s about opening doors, building confidence, and making sure every student knows they belong.