Seven-year-old Ruvim Tochinskiy wrinkles his face in concentration as he tries to solve math problems with the help of a volunteer tutor. Somehow he's able to resist the distraction of his talkative older brother, Andriy.

The boys, part of a Ukrainian immigrant family of 10, seem happy to spend their afterschool hours in one of Neighborhood House's youth tutoring centers in Auburn.

"I don't think he's missed a day since the new year started," the program coordinator says. "At first he was hesitant. Now he's used to the routine. After doing his homework, he grabs a book and starts to read."