People & Impact

Toronto Teacher Builds Free Tutoring Network for Low-Income Students

An educator’s initiative now supports hundreds of students across the GTA, filling gaps in access to academic support during and after the pandemic.

What began as a simple Facebook post by a Toronto high school teacher has grown into one of the city’s most impactful grassroots education programs. After seeing firsthand how the pandemic widened learning gaps, Jessica Leung launched a volunteer tutoring network to support low-income students struggling to keep up.

Initially, Leung recruited a handful of fellow educators and university students to offer free virtual sessions in math and reading. The response was overwhelming. Within weeks, over 200 students had signed up, and volunteers poured in from across Ontario and beyond.

Now operating under the name BridgeEd Toronto, the initiative matches K-12 students with trained tutors based on academic need and availability. Sessions are held online or in community centers, with many tutors offering bilingual support for ESL learners and recent immigrants.

Leung says the key to BridgeEd’s success is its flexibility. 'We adapt to what each student needs, not the other way around,' she explained. 'Some students need daily support, others just need someone to check in with once a week.'

The program has expanded its offerings to include resume writing workshops, exam prep boot camps, and even wellness check-ins. In partnership with local nonprofits, BridgeEd also distributes free school supplies and laptops to families facing financial hardship.

Parents and teachers alike have praised the initiative. 'My daughter went from failing to passing within a semester,' said Maria González, a single mother in Scarborough. 'But more importantly, she’s excited about learning again.'

With plans to register as a nonprofit this year, BridgeEd is seeking grant funding to open its first permanent tutoring hub. For Leung and her growing network of volunteers, the goal remains clear: give every student—regardless of income—a fair chance to succeed.