“Continuous effort—not strength or intelligence—is the key to unlocking our potential.” — Winston Churchill

College Counseling Virtual Pals Tutoring

College Counseling

The opportunity gap is the growing divide in what is available to young people based on socio-economic status. The result is that some of our students have fewer opportunities to follow their interests and develop their passions. We have two programs designed to help our students: College Counseling and Virtual Tutors.

College Counseling Partnership with College Ave Consulting

Est. 2022
Serves 11th and 12th grade students

After a pilot program last year, DEF’s college counseling partnership with College Ave Consulting is ready to expand! The program provides opportunities for students with financial need and supports them through the college research, application, acceptance, and scholarship process. We are partnering with College Ave Consulting Program to assist and support their students in taking the next steps past high school. To sign up, click here.

Impact Stories

Getting Creative in the Kitchen

September 4, 2020

AIM Scholars, Mentoring

During a normal summer, our AIM scholars typically enjoy summer camps and Opportunity Week (a week filled with group field trips around Atlanta). Due to COVID-19, most summer camps were canceled, but DEF was able to offer a few online cooking classes for interested AIM scholars. With the support of…

Hear From DEF’s Program Participants

Mentoring for me is akin to what Newton claimed about achievement: ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’ Being a mentor has allowed me to pass along what I have seen. Each person…read more →

Volunteer Decatur Education Foundation

Every Monday afternoon, I hurry to the DHA Community Resource Center to meet with my mentee Tamiya. We discuss serious and silly issues, try unique snacks from around the world, swap school horror stories, offer solicited advice, study, listen, laugh…read more →

Mentor, Decatur Housing Authority Decatur Education Foundation

My little brother has benefited tremendously academically and socially from the mentoring program. Before he joined the program, he was shy and reserved. Slowly he began to open up and became more socially aware. His mentor not only built up…read more →

Sister of a Mentee Decatur Education Foundation

Most of us think we don’t have that much to give, but that’s not what’s most important. You don’t have to be a fount of wisdom; you just have to show up.

Mentor, Decatur Housing Authority Decatur Education Foundation

Community Partnerships

Our programs rely on individuals and businesses to provide opportunities and support to our students. If you have a business or expertise you would like to share with #OurKids, please contact meg@decatureducaturfoundation.org

Virtual Pals Tutoring

When our schools pivoted to virtual learning due to COVID-19, we established the Virtual Pals Tutoring program. We continue to offer this service in which we pair 1st-8th grade students with upper high school or adult volunteers for one-hour weekly sessions for help with homework, organization and motivation.

DEF matches community volunteers (upper high school students and adults) with students in 1st-8th grades. Volunteers provide basic homework help, tutoring, and virtual learning support, as well as general time management help, motivation and a greater feeling of connectivity.

Students who need more significant tutoring services and have significant financial need may be matched with professionals through DEF and will be eligible for some funding support.

For Parents: Sign up for Tutor

For Volunteers: Become a Tutor

Become A Tutor. Become A Supporter.

“Most of us think we don’t have that much to give but that’s not what’s most important. You don’t have to be a fount of wisdom, you just have to show up.”

– DEF Program Participant