Two St. Luke's students donate to FCA program

St. Luke's School students Sheetal Akole and Khushwant (Khush) Dhaliwal have supported the After School Program at Family & Children's Agency by donating proceeds from math tutoring services they provide to the Fairfield Enrichment Club.

Akole and Dhaliwal both presented their donations of $1,000 and $500, respectively, to Jennifer Barahona, director of youth development, at the After School Program's location at Norwalk Community College. This is the third donation by Akole, and second by Dhaliwal.

"The commitment by Sheetal and Khush to both continue to tutor math and donate to the After School Program shows they both have a strong understanding of the value of education in our community," Barahona said. "We are thrilled to accept their donations, and they serve as an inspiration to both youth and adults throughout the community."

Dhaliwal, a sophomore at St. Luke's in New Canaan, said, "My love of math began at an early age because it was a fun way to solve problems. By working with the Fairfield Enrichment Clubs, I could use math and solving problems to connect to students with similar interests. I was helping my community in whatever small way I could."

Akole began as a member of the original Fairfield Enrichment Club in fifth grade and began tutoring when she entered high school. She is a senior at St. Luke's School and will be attending the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

"Family & Children's Agency is an essential part of the community," Akole said. "What I am doing with the Fairfield Enrichment Club is my effort to help students who would like an academic challenge, but the After School Program at Family & Children's Agency helps students learn and develop in other ways. It helps young students in need of after-school academic assistance and encouragement. They don't only challenge students, but they challenge individuals to understand the world better."

The Fairfield Enrichment Club is a community service project of high school students who coach students from local elementary and middle schools in mathematical problem solving and math contest preparation.

For information, visit www.FamilyandChildrensAgency.org.