From Student to Volunteer: Eldad Mekuria Shares her Homework Help Journey
Eldad Mekuria became a volunteer at Lake City Branch's Homework Help program during the fall of 2023, which she describes as a "full-circle moment." As a student at Nathan Hale High School in northeast Seattle, she had attended the Library's fr…
Eldad Mekuria, Homework Help volunteer at the Lake City Branch
Eldad Mekuria became a volunteer at Lake City Branch's Homework Help program during the fall of 2023, which she describes as a "full-circle moment." As a student at Nathan Hale High School in northeast Seattle, she had attended the Library's free after-school tutoring program before working as a Student Assistant and Library Associate at the Library.
When Eldad left the Library to take a position as Program Coordinator with the city of Seattle's Aging and Disability Services, she immediately signed up as a Homework Help volunteer.
As a first-generation immigrant, Eldad is motivated to volunteer not just to provide academic support but also because it's important for students to have tutors who share a similar background. "I believe that representation matters in these spaces," she says.
We caught up with Eldad as she was about to start her second year of volunteering, this time as a substitute.
What was your experience like as a Homework Help student?
I was a Homework Help patron when I was in high school, 11th and 12th grade. And it was really nice because I was new to the States, so it felt like a hub. A lot of the students that were there spoke my language and had the same background and maybe had the same struggles. We were excited to be there and we were often getting kicked out at the end of the night. It was like "OK, guys, pack up."
Beyond that, the tutors helped me through my college application journey. Many of the tutors had writing skills and they helped us brainstorm how to tell our story, which can feel uncomfortable when you're new to the system.
What drew you to volunteer with Homework Help?
During the renovation of the Lake City Branch, while I was a student assistant with the Library, the branch relocated to the community center. It was a very free environment and I was able to build relationships with the students coming to Homework Help. It was really nice to just interact with the kids and that drew me even more to wanting to work with kids and their families.
But since I was an employee of The Seattle Public Library, I couldn't be a volunteer. So when I left the library for other opportunities, I knew I wanted to come back.
What is a Homework Help session like?
You might be sitting and drawing, you might be reading a book or playing hangman or working on a calculus problem. It really varies. You get to know the other volunteers and their expertise.
A student works with a Homework Help volunteer at the Broadview Branch.
When I tell people I volunteer at the Library and ask if they want to join, sometimes they're like "What am I going to tutor?" But I'm no expert in any of the fields. What's really cool about tutoring or Homework Help program is that the kids are interested in being in that space. They want to write the essay and do that homework. They are willing to solve any problem. You just need to come in with the same energy that they bring. I try to match their energy.
You just need to come in with the same energy that they bring. I try to match their energy.
What would you say about the importance of representation.
I feel like representation matters in every space. When I was a student [some of the volunteers I worked with] would have had even more of an influence on my growth if they had represented me. If someone can relate to a student's story in some way, it's easier to share and learn from it.
A lot of students are first-generation students; their parents were immigrants. I wanted to be an example to these kids. To show you can also do this. You can go to college, follow your dreams, and still be in community and support your community.
What are some of the challenges?
It is a big commitment. One thing I discovered is that I really had to move things in my schedule to fit it in.
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