PORTLAND, Ore. — About 40 students from Harriet Tubman Middle School are receiving free tutoring services in person, thanks to a $4,000 grant the Multnomah Athletic Foundation has given to the nonprofit Maurice Lucas Foundation (MLF). One young student played a major role in the grant process.
The Maurice Lucas Foundation is using the gift to cover operating expenses for its Academic Hub. The foundation started the hub last September at the Billy Webb Elks Lodge in N. Portland to provide in-person academic support to its students.
For many parents who work, there often isn’t the time or resources to help their children with schoolwork. The hub provides live class support for four hours, four days a week, to students. The youths sign up in advance for the time they want to attend, based on the support they need.
Participating students benefit from technology support, peer-group study sessions, quiet workspaces and one-on-one access to tutors. They also work through lessons on resiliency and perseverance, focusing on the coping skills necessary to maintain mental and emotional health.
“Our program has become essential, due to the COVID-19 crisis and the effect of inequitable access to the distance-learning provided by schools,” said MLF Executive Director David Lucas. “Our hub tutors support students safely by providing social-distanced academic help so they can continue learning.”
Eighth Grade Student Played A Role
Kahlial Lofquist, 13, is an Eighth-Grade student at Harriet Tubman Middle School. He has been a MLF Academy participant since 2018. He participated in a Youth Grant Initiative program organized by the Multnomah Athletic Foundation last fall where students studied local nonprofits and selected some for grants.
Lofquist interviewed Lucas and Program Director Sheila Zachry as part of that program. Although the students ultimately didn’t choose MLF as a recipient, the Multnomah Athletic Foundation’s normal grant committee decided to award the funds.
“Our two organizations both focus on providing athletic and academic support to local, underserved children to help them succeed,” said Lisa Bendt, executive director of the Multnomah Athletic Foundation. “To support the Maurice Lucas Foundation was an easy decision. It’s impacting students in a positive way.”
About the Maurice Lucas Foundation
The foundation is named in honor of the late Maurice Lucas (1952-2010), the starting forward and leading scorer on the 1977 NBA champion Portland Trail Blazers team. Besides his outstanding achievements on the court, Lucas also gave selflessly of his time and energy to Portland youth. Since its formation in 2010, the organization has served more than 2,258 students and families through its Academy program and another 4,320 through basketball camps and teams. www.ml20.org
About the Multnomah Athletic Foundation
The Multnomah Athletic Foundation believes all youth should have the opportunity to play, compete and participate in sports. It is committed to providing character and confidence building opportunities through athletics in underserved communities in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The foundation provides community grants and scholarships so that youth can reach their full potential by learning and working together through athletics. www.multnomahathleticfoundation.com
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