ALBANY, Ore. — A $5,000 PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning grant is helping fund a Salvation Army after-school tutoring program for at-risk teens. It will assist youth who use the teen drop-in center, The dmZ.

As Pacific Power’s charitable arm, the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning supports organizations that emphasize education.

With the new program, the Salvation Army will recruit and train tutors who will conduct preliminary assessments, work with schools on their student’s progress, and help identify at-risk youngsters.

“The teens that come to our dmZ Teen Center are, for the most part, in alternative education programs,” said Stephen Sutter, Captain, Salvation Army Albany Corps CO. “Our adult tutors and mentors give our youth the opportunity to have contact with caring, concerned people.”

Sutter said many at-risk teens in the Greater Albany School District receive little or no help at home; their families are often transitory, or have other problems such as joblessness, drug problems and homelessness. The only place most of them could hope to receive tutoring and assistance with schoolwork is at the Salvation Army’s DMZ.

Funds will help underwrite program supplies, as well as a portion of a coordinator’s salary.

In Albany, The Salvation Army has long sponsored youth development groups for children and teens from low-income and broken homes. These programs include Sunbeams, Girl Guards and a Cub Scout troop.

“Education is the best prevention for many health and social ills,” said Doris Johnston, regional community manager for Pacific Power. “These funds will help support an important program in the midst of declining school district budgets.”

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