Overcoming School Hurdles: Fred Tschanz Foundation Supports Children from Low-Income Families

Whether it’s trouble with math or hurdles in reading and writing, school difficulties often don’t stay in the classroom. In some cases, they shape a child’s future or become beliefs that affect their entire life. When the academic development of children or adolescents is impaired, support is needed. In collaboration with the School Psychological Service of the City of Zurich, the Fred Tschanz Foundation enables children from low-income families to access necessary support.

Targeted Help for Important Support

Lorenz Lunin has been working closely with the Fred Tschanz Foundation as a school psychologist for years and knows how important this support is. In his work, he supports parents, teachers, or the child themselves when problems in academic development arise. «When a child comes to us, there are usually legitimate concerns behind it. The impairments and problems are diverse. They can be related to developmental disorders or appear in the social or emotional area, for example in the form of anxiety or pronounced learning difficulties, such as acquiring basic skills like reading or basic math.»

First, Lorenz Lunin, together with those involved, gets a comprehensive picture of the situation – not only problems but also available resources are identified. The goal is to open up new perspectives and create actionable solutions. «Then we develop solutions together with the child, the parents, and those involved in the school.» The offer of the School Psychological Service is free of charge but does not include further measures such as therapies. «In the case of learning disorders, learning therapy is often a central component of the support process», explains the school psychologist. But these therapies are expensive. «Not every family can afford the necessary support», says Lorenz Lunin. 

Support from the Fred Tschanz Foundation

In such cases, Lorenz Lunin submits a support application to the Fred Tschanz Foundation, which helps whenever possible. «The exchange is always quick and straightforward. This help is invaluable to us. The collaboration has been running smoothly and with great goodwill for years. I am very grateful to the Fred Tschanz Foundation», says Lorenz Lunin. However, it is important that parents, if possible, also contribute a small amount. «This is also a sign for us that the parents are on board.»

Strengthened Self-Esteem

The school psychologist has often witnessed how important this help is. He recalls a case of a girl who had great difficulties with basic math skills when entering secondary school – even though the intellectual capacity. «She was desperate because she couldn’t cope with the pressure at school and the demands of future training and even said she felt stupid», says Lorenz Lunin.

Thanks to the Fred Tschanz Foundation, she was able to attend the necessary learning therapy,” says the school psychologist. «In therapy, she learned in a supportive environment. Here she was supported according to her learning level and could – without being ashamed – overcome deficits.» Through measurable learning success, her mathematic skills, such as mastering basic operations, were systematically built up. «This boosted her self-confidence and she found an apprenticeship in a demanding profession, which permanently improved her self-esteem.»