It's been one year since we launched the Read On! tutoring program, and so much has happened since then.
For one: we have doubled the schools we're working with! We launched the pilot with partnerships at HW Harkness and Ethel Phillips Elementary; this year we are thrilled to add Caroline Wenzel and Bret Harte to the roster.
It's obvious to anyone working with young people that the pandemic has presented new challenges. Literacy was already an issue in Sacramento, and the problem is definitely worsening in the COVID-19 era. The need is not shrinking. We're glad to be able to step in where we are called.
And it's working. Every one of the students we worked with last year improved their reading. Most got up to grade level, and the rest were not far behind. These young readers worked SO hard and we are deeply proud of them!
The Read On! program relies on our volunteer tutors. This year, to meet the needs of the 80 striving readers who are looking forward to working with 916 Ink this school year, we need 120 volunteers! Might you be among them?
“Give it a try! The program makes it easy, it's fun to do, and the kids love it. We laugh a lot, and you get to see the kids progress - it's very rewarding.” - Volunteer Tutor Cindy Domasky
What does volunteering entail? We ask for a semester-long commitment, so that students can build a relationship with a tutor. You'll work with one student, one-on-one, over Zoom, for 3 hours a week (although there's some wiggle room there).
To get started, you'll click this link to fill in the application form.
Then, you'll complete a Live Scan background check and sign the volunteer code of conduct.
Next, you'll complete the online self-paced training (approximately 3 hours).
Then, it's time to attend a live training (approximately 1.5 hours).
And now you're ready to be paired with a student and get started!
Get started by clicking the link here to fill in the initial application.
