Children learn in many different ways and sometimes it can be a real struggle getting kids the help they need.

One after school learning center in downtown South Bend gives kids that help, but in order to do that, they are looking for good teachers to help.

“There is not a one size fits all for any child,” says learning center director Kim Haughee, “and once we find out how that child learns, what they need, we need to teach according to that. Everybody's brain is different.”

Haughee is proud of the program, which is absolutely free to families. “That’s what's wonderful. It does not cost the families anything. This is free tutoring for the families.”

There are approximately 20 children enrolled right now and there's a big need for tutors. Haughee is looking for dedicated teachers who are willing to learn; teachers like Joy Bostick.

Bostick spent a year as a tutor and she says it's made her a better teacher.

“I would absolutely recommend it to any teacher coming into the field,” Bostick says. “Teaching second grade now it has helped me teach my kids how to sound out words, for the kids who are having trouble, I now know the background to help them.”

Jenny Byer’s children got help at the learning center. She hopes more tutors will sign up and more families will take advantage of the learning opportunity.

If you have a child who struggles to read, Byers says parents should talk with the child's teacher or resource aide. “But don't stop there. If you're not getting the answers that you need, you need to come some place like the learning center,” Byers says.

The next event helping to raise money for the center is the alphabet soup empty bowl benefit event on October 10.

It's from 5 to 8 p.m. and you'll be able to enjoy a soup and bread dinner from a ceramic bowl made by students from Michiana.

If you are interested in becoming a tutor at Masonic Learning Center, or if you would like to get some help for your struggling student, call 574-288-0067 or check out the link on the Big Red Bar. The Masonic Learning Center for Children is located at 427 North Main Street in South Bend.