A new tutoring initiative is offering local children in Alton a valuable mix of academic support, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Bright Beautiful Minds Tutoring Academy, founded by Patricia Brown, a paraprofessional at East Elementary School, is providing much-needed educational help for kids living in Alton Acres and Oakwood Estates. The program is also fostering a sense of community by helping children build relationships with trusted adults both inside and outside of school.
“I want them to know they matter and that we believe in them,” Brown said. “You’re not defined by your surroundings. You can become whatever you set your mind to.”
Brown, who also serves as a commissioner with the Alton Housing Authority, became involved when she learned that a previous tutoring program offered by the Housing Authority was being discontinued due to low participation. Determined to help, she took action by knocking on doors, finding volunteers, and inviting children from kindergarten through high school to a daily tutoring program at the Oakwood Estates Recreation Center.
The initiative quickly gained traction, and Brown’s efforts began to pay off. Beyond offering academic support, the program provided the students with a strong sense of belonging and introduced them to positive role models. Over time, Brown noticed improvements in the children’s behavior as well as their academic progress.
“Many of them lacked that support system in school, so I’ve had to teach them how to trust the adults around them,” Brown explained. “I haven’t met anyone in the school district who doesn’t care about children.”
As the program grew, Brown took it one step further by organizing a graduation ceremony for the students, paired with a tour of Lewis and Clark Community College. This experience was designed to inspire the kids to think about their future after high school.
“I wanted to make learning exciting for them,” Brown said. “I thought, ‘What better way to show them the future than to help them see themselves walking across the stage at graduation?’”
Brown explained that education is a powerful tool for helping students escape challenging environments, like those marked by crime or poverty. She hopes to inspire the kids to pursue their dreams, return to their communities, and one day make a positive impact.
“The most important thing is showing kids that there are possibilities beyond their current environment,” she said. “We all have opportunities to succeed, and it’s up to us to help them realize their potential.”
Brown’s dedication to the program extends beyond tutoring sessions. She encourages other adults to get involved, whether through volunteering or providing meals and donations for supplies. While tutoring will pause in June, it will resume on July 7, 2025, for children in Alton Acres and Oakwood Estates.
More than just academics, Brown believes that small gestures—like a fist bump or high-five—can have a lasting effect on the children, reminding them that they are supported and valued.
“My ultimate goal is to show them, by example, that the world is full of opportunities,” Brown said. “No matter where they come from, they all have a chance to succeed.”
