Study Buddy Program

Since 2020 Hello Neighbor is supporting refugee/immigrant students to navigate the US education system through personalized online one-on-one tutoring.

The Study Buddy program was born out of a necessity to support refugee/immigrant students in school districts across Allegheny county during the pandemic as education shifted to virtual settings. Many Hello Neighbor families expressed concerns about helping their children have a successful school year. This pressing need guided the program’s goals to support refugee students navigate the virtual/in-person classroom, stay motivated to do their homework, attend class and empower them to build relationships with peers and school staff.

Volunteer tutors, who are current students or recent graduates themselves, are paired one-on-one with refugee/immigrant students (grades 6-12) to help them do school work, set up tangible semester-specific goals and increase their confidence in the classroom. Tutors and students commit to meeting virtually twice per week via Zoom (sessions are 60 minutes); currently, all sessions take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 5 pm-8 pm. Tutors are trained upon enrollment and are provided access to a wide range of resources that enrich our tutoring sessions.

Each semester, the Study Buddy program welcomes guest speakers from different work streams, provides students with bite-size training relevant to academic development, and in-person events aimed at team building.

Interested in becoming a tutor?

Our Study Buddy program runs on an academic calendar. We are always accepting new tutor applications. However, most enrollments will be completed during the summer and winter breaks. Interested applicants are encouraged to fill out the form below. (Tutors do not need to be based in Pittsburgh.)

Interested in becoming a study buddy?

No one is exempt from gaining access to support. No matter your grades, you can always improve as a student. If you know somebody who would benefit from tutoring, please make sure they meet the requirements and fill out the application form.

Students nominated for this program should meet the following qualifications:

Be enrolled in 6-12 grade in the greater Pittsburgh area
Be willing and able to dedicate two hours per week to learning with a tutor

Questions?

Visit our Family Services FAQs page to explore the answers to frequently asked questions about Study Buddy and other Hello Neighbor programs.

Nominate A Refugee Student

Do you know a refugee student who might be a good fit for the Study Buddy program? Read the requirements and learn how you can nominate a refugee student here.