ABOUT TRM

Trinity River Mission is a volunteer-based community learning center that promotes literacy, encourages academic success and develops effective life skills among disadvantaged youth in West Dallas, in the belief that education connects us to life’s possibilities. In the State of Texas, 73% of beginning freshmen will graduate from high school within four years, while in the West Dallas community TRM serves, only 43% of the children who start high school will graduate. Of these graduates, only 5% will be ready for college level work.

TRM’s proven results show that 95% of its students pass to the next grade level, an average of 98% of its students are graduating, and for the past two years, 100% of those students have enrolled in college.

TRM has developed a solid reputation for keeping kids in school and a culture of achievement for students and their families. They also have strong relationships with parents - who willingly volunteer more than a combined 7,000 hours a year as an investment in their children’s education - and tutors, who volunteer an amazing average of seven years. TRM is 100% focused on its students’ academic success through tutoring, reading and mentoring; and the TRM 550 goal is to grow from serving 350 to 550 students by the year 2015.


SUCCESS STORY

Beginning in the first grade, Laura Baez participated in TRM’s Homework Help and Literacy Tutoring programs. To Laura, TRM was like a second home because TRM’s staff and volunteers offered support, understanding, and above all, a sense of love. In the 7th grade, Laura enrolled in the Believe and Achieve program where she received educational support, explored colleges, and gave back to the community as a Reading Buddy to a younger TRM student. Laura graduated from Townview’s Government and Law Magnet School and she obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University. Now Laura is working for Teach for America in Tennessee.


PROGRAMS

Homework Help
Staff and volunteers provide daily assistance to complete homework assignments for children in grades K- 5th. Planned activities include supplementary work to expand learning beyond school curricula.

Literacy Tutoring
Trained volunteer tutors provide individual, intensive one hour read-aloud, shared reading, and writing sessions each week for children in grades 3rd-12th.

Reading Buddies
Trained middle and high school youth read in small groups or in one-to-one sessions with students in grades K-3rd.

Math Tutoring
Math tutors provide individualized one hour sessions each week for children in grades 2nd-12th. Tutors also provide math help via the internet.

Believe and Achieve
TRM provides youth development and scholarship programs for students in grades 6th-12th. In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, students are paired with mentors who work closely with them to encourage academic success and improve self-esteem. Youth are guided to stay in school and plan for post-secondary education. Students learn valuable life skills, accountability and the importance of volunteering in their community.

Kids Café
In partnership with the North Texas Food Bank and Capital One, TRM feeds any child from the community who needs a nutritious meal. TRM serves more than 15,000 meals throughout the school year and summer months.

Family Connection
Parents are supported and encouraged to volunteer in their community and schools, improve themselves through education by taking ESL and/or GED classes, and to support the development of educational success in their children.

Learn more at Trinity River Mission's website