The rewards of service in Rockville Centre

Members of the Sandel Senior Center’s Service Corps have added to their good deeds around the village — they now staff an intergenerational organization called Homework Helpers, which meets Mondays through Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the children’s room at the Rockville Centre Public Library. True to its name, the club pairs former school teachers who are members of the center with elementary, middle school and English as a Second Language students who need help with their school work, particularly in reading and math.

Sandel Center social worker Rose Genovese was instrumental in starting Homework Helpers earlier this fall. On meeting days, approximately three- to four- senior educators tutor students who come from St. Agnes Cathedral Elementary School and Rockville Centre’s public schools. The teaching sessions are one-on-one and run for approximately 30 minutes. Chris Pellettieri, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in the Rockville Centre school district, provides the club with children’s books to use as reading material.

“The club is exceptional and the seniors are strongly active in it,” Genovese said. “We have many youthful teachers with a background in education, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with what Homework Helpers has turned into so far.”

Approximately 50 elementary students have participated in Homework Helpers to this point, and 12 seniors in their late 60s-to early 70s are currently on the teaching roster. The senior members who participate in the program have teaching experience in the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Membership for seniors who want to join Homework Helpers is $100, and Genovese is still looking to recruit more prospective tutors as well as add another meeting day for the club during the week.

The Sandel Circle is another group of Service Corps volunteers devoted to serving the community. Started seven years ago, it consists of 25-to-30 members who visit local nursing homes and assisted living facilities each month.

“It’s a group that forms relationships with the members in the homes that we visit,” Genovese said. “The goal is to form lasting connections.”