College House Tutors

Where are they now?

About half of former College House residents still live and work in Minneapolis and many are still in touch with the kids they mentored as pen pals, or through Big Brothers/Sisters and other programs.

It's hot out. It's a muggy, mid-August late afternoon in south Minneapolis. There are kids throwing a football on the front lawn, people sitting out on the front porch, and Aressa, 14, is doing something she's grown fond of over the past five years —  anticipating the weekly arrival of Bethel College graduate Libby Welch. This time, their plan is to prepare for an end-of-summer camp out with a larger group.

Aressa was 10 when she and Libby met through the PPL College House tutor/mentor

program. She was one of two 5th grade girls Libby met with, weekly, throughout the school year in the College House's tutoring center.

These days, the two are involved with a girls' mentoring group that meets through the Marie Sandvik Center in south Minneapolis.  Aressa is currently a straight 'A' student entering 9th grade at South High in Minneapolis.   Libby is now employed by PPL. As a Family and Housing Specialist, she works with families living in PPL's south Minneapolis buildings.

Aressa's brothers, RayShawn, Roland and Rayjon have also had College House tutor/mentors. Rayjon's mom will apply for him to participate again this year.  Roland and Rayjon also attended Edison/PPL School for three years.

[ College House Program ]

Libby and Aressa met four years ago at PPL College House. They continue to meet once a week. Here, they've come together to make plans for a camp out with others from the Marie Sandvik Center in south Minneapolis.

Libby says Aressa is "a special blend — confident, humble, open-minded, very caring with a tender heart. She is a loyal and dependable friend."

Aressa says she likes Libby because she is “always there — she's never too busy to hang out with me. I can tell her anything. I trust her.  She gives good advice and always listens. She's also got style!" 

The closeness between them is clear as, together, they laugh at Aressa's last comment.