By the time she entered high school, Lucy Olson knew she wanted to share her love of math with younger children. But when she explored tutoring options at her own school, Waynflete, she found that most of the students there already had access to the resources they needed.
Undaunted, Lucy began to look for other opportunities in her community. Recognizing that Avesta Housing has a large resident population with families and children in the Portland area, she connected with the property management and resident services team, recruited a friend to help, and founded a math tutoring program at Pearl Place in Portland last year.
The demand was so great, she recruited more Waynflete students over the summer break and expanded to Brick Hill in South Portland at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester.
“I think it is important to reinforce to kids that they are capable and smart – especially in math, where this sense of support and encouragement is often lacking,” says Lucy, who is now a senior. “When kids are excited to learn and feel confident in themselves, they begin to see themselves as ‘math people,’ which can change their whole attitude towards the subject and towards themselves as learners.”
Twice a week for an hour-and-a-half, Lucy leads free tutoring sessions offered to Avesta residents ranging from pre-K to eighth grade. All tutors are Waynflete students in 11th or 12th grade and give assistance on a wide variety of math subjects up to and including middle-school algebra. Each session averages eight to 15 participants.
The response has been tremendous, says Melissa Grabler, resident service coordinator at Brick Hill – in fact, she has had to fend off requests from parents to add more weekly sessions at that property.
“The parents are very appreciative of the support the Waynflete tutors provide to their children, and the children are very excited to participate each week,” Melissa said. “The tutors have been great role models who have demonstrated that education is very important and fun.”
Lucy hopes to pass the program to one of the current junior tutors once she graduates. For now, she’s enjoying engaging with the children, sharing her knowledge, and forging what she hopes will be long-lasting friendships.
“Beyond academics, this program is important to me because it builds community and a feeling of belonging,” she says. “I hope to form connections and friendships with the kids as much as I hope to help them in math.
“In many ways, they inspire me and help me grow as much as I aim to help them.”