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She turned to On the Mark, a free mentor-tutor program run after school by Parents Place, part of Jewish Family and Children's Services in San Francisco. The program serves families in the city.

Falk and Rachel Kotok, the youth program coordinator, found a great match for her son: Daniel Anner. A 26-year-old native of Geneva, Anner is in San Francisco studying psychology. The pair meet weekly to review class work and to talk about life, news, music and Alex's latest passion — computers.

"It was my first time working with kids. And although I had dreamed of doing this, I was very nervous and did not know what to expect," Anner said. "But after the first few meetings with Alex, we became buddies."

Alex feels likewise.

"Daniel is awesome," Alex says. "He's really helped me a lot in school and tries to make me focus more, which I really need. He has helped me out a bunch with computers. I am starting a class in computer hardware now at City College."

On the Mark, now in its fourth academic year, began in response to parents' requests for a single program that combined academic support with mentoring. During the school year, On the Mark offers youth, ages 8 to 18, one-on-one academic support, friendship and guidance.

Trained volunteer mentor-tutors are matched with emigre and American-born youth. It began as a pilot program with six student/mentor-tutor matches and now boasts 35 matches.

"Many youth in the program live in single-parent families and approximately half are newcomers to this country," Kotok said. "The impact of the mentoring relationship can never be underestimated."

Falk said the relationship has made all the difference for her son.

"His grades are up. His self-esteem is way up. Daniel challenges Alex, and I have seen Alex blossom as a result. The key is to have the child, the mentor-tutor and the parent all working as a team."

On the Mark volunteers are screened and trained, and then they are matched one-on-one with a student.

Volunteer mentor-tutors make a minimum commitment to work with a student for one academic year and attend ongoing training sessions.

Pairs meet weekly for an hour at Parents Place. After the initial six weeks, with parental permission, the pairs can choose to complement their weekly meetings with off-site activities, such as visiting a library or attending a concert, museum or ballgame.

Ross Melczer, who is 28, moved to San Francisco from Los Angeles and was looking for an opportunity to get involved in community service with kids and to establish connections within the Jewish community here.

Igor Grinberg, who is 14, immigrated to the United States from the former Soviet Union 10 years ago. He wanted help with his journalism and English classes. On the Mark matched the pair and they have been together for two years.

"I like to have somewhere else to go besides school and home where people laugh and learn and have a good time together," Igor said. "My grades have improved a lot and my mentor-tutor and I meet outside the weekly sessions. We go for food and once we went to a Giants game."

Melczer is equally satisfied.

"The program has really broadened my horizons and the time we spend together is very valuable," he said. "The challenge is keeping the kids interested. A week changes their life so much at this age; you must keep up with what's going on with them, not just academically. And you have to keep the ship on course."

Traci Engelman is studying for her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. When the 29-year-old moved to San Francisco, she found her way to JFCS.

"I was looking to do something meaningful for the community and also wanted exposure to working with youth," she said.

She became a mentor-tutor to Jennah Lieboff, a 14-year-old who needed help with math.

"We initially met to go over homework problems, but in between we talked and found common ground. It is a part of my life I really treasure," Engelman said. "It is still early on, but I have seen Jennah become much more comfortable with math and show a greater willingness to engage her schoolwork and her teachers. She is eager to learn."

Jennah is happy that she took a chance on the program.

"I put it off and thought I did not really need it, but I am glad I tried. The On the Mark coordinators really listened to me and what I needed in a tutor and made a really good match with Traci," she says. "When we meet, we really get down to business. She is patient and nice. She understands."

Falk was not only pleased with the program. She also felt inspired. After witnessing her son's success, Falk became an On the Mark mentor-tutor herself.

"If everyone was a mentor-tutor for just one kid, it would make an enormous difference," she said. "The program has a huge positive ripple effect. By touching one kid, you also touch his family, his teachers and his peers. Parents should realize that amazing things can happen for a kid it you just help him to see his potential."