Base offers free tutoring for kids Published April 16, 2015 By Senior Airman Nicole Leidholm 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Armed Services YMCA and Travis Air Force Base, California offer a free community-based tutoring program for elementary school students. Operation Hero is an after school tutoring program. It offers three, 10-week programs on base throughout the school year to first through fifth graders at Travis and Scandia Elementary Schools. "We help the kids with their homework by creating a positive and encouraging environment," said Sandra Tejada, 60th Force Support Squadron Operation Hero manager. "When one parent is deployed it may make it harder for their mom or dad to help out with homework, that's where we come in and help them improve in school." Children who have been identified by their teachers or parents as needing extra help on their homework are referred to Operation Hero, Tejada said. "If a child is falling behind in school, teachers will refer the kids to us and we will work with them on their homework," Tejada said. "We also create activities every week, like this week we'll work on self-esteem, and explain to them what it is so they understand and help them to build their self-esteem." On Mondays and Thursdays high school-aged children from a local 4-H Club, help the children with math and science. "My team has the freedom to come up with the lesson plans that really help with the creativity," said Betty Hart, 60th FSS ASYMCA director. "They are very passionate to work with the kids." Hart explained that Operation Hero focuses on teamwork, sharing and relationship building, as well as homework. "Operation hero goes beyond the after school program," Hart said. "It's one part homework, one part community and one part mentorship."