Class of 2018 alumna Aseal Saed, Class of 2014 alumna Omnia Saed and other alumni created the Annandale Virtual Mentorship Program to help struggling students.
They were driven to action by a recent study released by Fairfax County Public Schools that documents the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on students.
Results showed negative impacts on economically disadvantaged students, English learners and students with disabilities.
Being a mentor means committing one hour each week to virtual homework help and mentorship as well as attendance to a one-hour introductory training session.
The program’s current goal is to have 50 alumni commit to mentoring 50 students.
There is no deadline and sign-ups are rolling, but volunteers must sign up by a certain time to be eligible for that month’s training.
The program came to be after seeing other organizations setting an example.
“We’re inspired by mutual aid projects across the country that are working to mobilize and support their communities,” Aseal Saed said.
Interested alumni can scan the QR code to the right to complete the pre-match survey.
The survey asks about availability and location as well as languages spoken, school subjects willing to be covered and personal interests.
The goal is to match each mentor up with a mentee that they can most effectively help.
In doing so, the Annandale Virtual Mentorship Program hopes to help those who need it the most.
“We recognize we have the opportunity, manpower and time to support students who need it alongside a strong, diverse and talented alumni network,” Aseal Saed said.
Any questions about the mentorship program can be sent to:
[email protected]