Help Achieve Educational Equity for Students in Michigan.
End the Cycle (ETC) at the University of Michigan
End the Cycle is a registered organization with the University of Michigan. We provide educational services in the form of after school tutoring, standardized test prep, and college application mentorship. We also run committee projects that work to address community needs (i.e. Food Insecurity, High School Computer Science Camp, etc). We hope that through this program, we can achieve educational equity and an equal chance at success for all students in Michigan.
End the Cycle was formed in July of 2020. After learning about the harsh socioeconomic disparities within Washtenaw County, we wanted to help students receive the resources they deserve to help bridge the gap in educational equity for students in Michigan. With the transition of in-person classes to virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have created a fully online, remote, and free program for students. However, given the transition back to in-person classes, ETC continues to provide free, online, educational resources for underserved students in Washtenaw County and beyond.
ETC is comprised of student volunteers at the University of Michigan who apply for the position, go through training, get a background check, and are accepted to make sure we are providing quality tutoring and mentorship.
What People Are Saying
“I am so happy with ETC. I have been looking for a class [conversational English program] like this and am so glad I finally found one. I like my mentors, and feel good speaking with them!”
— Refugee & Immigrant Conversational English Program Participant
“[ETC Student] has grown so much over the last several months. His reading has vastly improved; I do not believe those improvements would have been possible without the help of the ETC tutors. The fact that the program is free removes the financial barrier that would have prevented me from getting him the extra help he desperately needs to succeed academically. I wish that there was something I could do to adequately convey to the tutors how grateful I am that they selflessly give their time to my son. For now, all I can do is say thank you and hope you all recognize the difference you are making in our lives.”
— ETC Parent
“My favorite part [of ETC] is getting to make an impact and work with kids in a meaningful manner. No matter how stressed I am, I am always able to make time to tutor because it is fun. Even though I may be the one teaching the kids, they teach me even more valuable lessons.”
— Sanjana Rajasekaran, ETC Volunteer
Whether you are a student or volunteer, you can get involved.
As a student, End the Cycle provides free after-school tutoring, standardized test prep, college application mentorship, an English conversational program (for ESL students) through zoom, and Refugee 1: 1 tutoring. We strive to accommodate the special needs of each student, and will work with you individually to help achieve your goals. Visit our students page for the signup.
As a volunteer, you have endless opportunities with End the Cycle. You can tutor students, join a committee already running, or create your own. All of these commitments are based on your schedule, which allows you flexibility. Visit our volunteers page for the sign up.
What do we do?
It’s simple. We provide material and service support to advance the educational endeavors of students.
K-12 Online Tutoring.
Every year, ETC recruits and trains dedicated U-M volunteers that run our free and online 1:1 tutoring program. Every week, volunteers sign up for tutoring slots that work for their schedule and students can then sign up for any of these slots with the tutor of their choice. After a student signs up, the tutor will email the student/parent a zoom link for the session. The flexibility of our program allows our students and volunteers to participate in the tutoring program as much or as little as they please.
Along with the weekly tutoring that involves no commitment, many students request a weekly tutor. We can also accommodate your special tutoring needs as requested. If you have any specific needs, email us!
Our ETC Summer Program was run in the Summer of 2021, since the pandemic cancelled many in-person summer camps. Each day consisted of English, Math and Science lessons created by our volunteers. The program was offered to underserved K-5 students throughout Washtenaw County. ETC Summer Program
We are fundraising to eliminate the lunch debts for underserved students in Carpenter Elementary, located in Ann Arbor, MI. By alleviating the lunch debt, the school will be able to utilize school money to go towards school resources and teacher wages, rather than paying off lunch debt.Food Insecurity Project
We are creating a student-led, Computer Science Boot Camp for underserved high school students in Washtenaw County. The goal of this program is to expose these students to Computer Science, and to guide them through creating their own project, which can be used on a resume. Students who wish to apply to the UM Computer Science major will also be provided with a college application mentor. High School Computer Science Boot Camp
We fundraised and donated 6 brand new laptops to refugee families in Ann Arbor!Afghan Refugee Laptop Donations
College Application Mentorship.
On our K-12 tutoring signup, we also offer slots to meet with volunteers who will guide students in applying to college. They can help with tasks ranging from filling out the Common Application Portal or writing college essays.
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
PREVIOUS PROJECTS
Afghan Refugee Tutoring.
In collaboration with the Michigan Refugee Assistance Program (MRAP) and Oakland Schools, ETC x MRAP have created a 1:1 English Tutoring and American Culture Program that matches tutors with Refugee Families. Each week, tutors meet with families over WhatsApp to teach the lessons. Tutors must go through an application and background check before working with a family. If you are interested in volunteering, sign up using the button below! (Under “Sign Up to be a Tutor.”)
If you know of a refugee family that could use this program, please email: endthecycleatum@gmail.com
Refugee & Immigrant Conversational English Program.
ESL students of any age (adults included) are open to sign up for RCEP. The goal of this program is to practice conversational English in a relaxed environment. Each ESL student will be paired with a U-M mentor, where they will build strong mentorship relationships and participate in activities that enhance English-speaking skills over zoom. Volunteers and participants will be paired based on English and foreign language speaking proficiency. Meetings for this program occur weekly based on participant and volunteer availability.
ETC teamed up with the Washtenaw County Juvenile Court to provide after-school tutoring, homework help, and mentorship for students in the Juvenile Court.Juvenile Court Academic Support Group
Educational Resources Committee.
The ERC committee creates educational resources for students that include K-12 tutoring, ACT/SAT/GED documents, and college application tips. The ERC has also created a 24/7 homework help form and summer program for middle school students. Currently, we are working on creating a financial literacy program for high schoolers and adults. Check out our resources below!
Workshop and Programming Committee.
The workshop and programming committee works to create events where topics of interest will be discussed with experts to guide and teach people on educational equity. Potential Topics include: health education, voting rights, and professional development.
In the past year, the committee has also worked to create health education pamphlets and support a community garden at the Shelter Association, located in Ann Arbor, MI.
Advocacy and Social Media.
The Advocacy and Social Media committee works to create and implement public relations projects through Instagram and Facebook to promote End The Cycle’s mission as well as advocate for the needs of underserved students.
Fundraising & Donations Committee.
The Fundraising and Donations Committee raises funds and accepts donations to aid local homeless shelters and organizations in providing for those who are underserved and face barriers to educational access. The committee also applies for various educational grants in order to fund projects that serve the community.
This past Thanksgiving, ETC raised over $2000 to buy school supplies and goodies for residents at the SOS Community Services. We also ship free books to our students thanks to a donation from Rx Readers at the University of Detroit Mercy!
Have we convinced you yet?
Join ETC today!
Follow our journey.
Instagram: @endthecycleumich
Facebook: @endthecycleumich