"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
—Margaret Mead
The following is a partial list of opportunities for volunteer involvement with adult literacy programs. Use it to start thinking about how you want to become involved – but don’t let it limit you. The opportunities are almost endless.
TUTORS
Peninsula READS trains and supports volunteer tutors to work with our adult Learners. Tutors are needed throughout the day to match the schedule of our Learners. You can:
1. Serve as primary tutor for a learner or small group in one of the following:
- Basic Reading and Writing
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Math
2. Enhance the learner’s primary instruction by working with an individual or small group on topics such as:
- Creative Writing
- Spelling
- Job-Specific Literacy Tasks
3. Lead an informal weekly conversation group where ESL learners can come to practice their English.
4. Help a learner practice writing by serving as an on-line pen pal.
5. Teach special short-term classes to meet learner needs such as:
- Job Interview Skills
- How to Register and Vote
- Basic First Aid
- How to Become a Citizenship
- How to Use the Library
6. Work with Learners on short-term group projects such as:
- Publishing a Collection of Learner Writings
- Sponsoring a Neighborhood Health Fair
7. Start a book discussion group.
8. Serve as a reading buddy for Learners who live alone.
9. Serve as a phone buddy for Learners for conversational and specific language skills.
10. Serve as a teacher’s assistant to increase the amount of individualized help available to learners having difficulty.
AWARENESS
Raising awareness about adult literacy and making the connection between your community and adults who are struggling to function without basic skills are important steps to ensuring success. You can:
1. Volunteer to be a guest speaker in your community on behalf of adult literacy programs.
2. Persuade your civic, social, or religious group to help support a local literacy program.
3. Contact your federal, state, and local politicians and let them know that literacy is important to you; urge them to support programs in your community and set up opportunities for them to visit local programs.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
Adult literacy programs offer countless opportunities to volunteers who want to support the program but don’t think that tutoring is for them. You can:
1. Make recordings of low-level high-interest books so learners can work independently on their reading outside of class.
2. Donate books to the program.
3. Set up and maintain a lending library of materials for tutors and learners.
4. Set up a mini-grant program to help learners continue their education and training after they leave the literacy program.
5. Help in the office by greeting visitors, answering phones, keeping records, copying and basic cleaning and maintenance.
6. Serve as a Newsletter Editor.
7. Make sets of teaching tools for loan to volunteer tutors (example: picture collections for teaching vocabulary to ESL learners).
8. Write original stories at easy-to-read levels to provide extra practice for beginning readers.
9. Write proposals to solicit funds to support the program and its activities.
10. Plan and implement a fund-raising event such as a corporate spelling bee, a run for literacy, a raffle or a read-a-thon.
11. Become a trainer and conduct workshops to train volunteer tutors.
12. Become a regular donor.
13. Support by adopting a literacy organization (CBLO) as a Preferred Project.
DONATED GOODS/SERVICES
Think about how someone in your profession or business can contribute to goods and services that adult literacy programs need but might have difficulty paying for because of inadequate resources. You can:
1. Offer to conduct free or low-cost screening or diagnostic testing for vision, hearing or learning disabilities.
2. Help a community-based literacy program file for incorporation and apply for tax-exempt status.
3. Set up a bookkeeping system and train staff or volunteers in how to use it.
4. Offer to print newsletters, stationery or brochures at no cost.
5. Do initial testing of learners and advise tutors on how to meet special needs.
6. Donate materials or services to complete renovations or major repair/building projects such as construction of a handicapped entrance ramp or replacement of a leaky roof.
7. Provide graphics/design services.
8. Make space for tutoring available at your worksite.
9. Donate used equipment (computers, photocopiers, phone system, etc..).
10. Include volunteer recruitment notices in your company newsletter.
11. Donate prizes that can be used as awards or incentives to learners.
12. Become a part of a Resource Pool. (Let your local program know what special skills you have and that you’d be available for trainings or presentations.)
COMPUTER LAB VOLUNTEERS
Computer Lab volunteers help adult learners with educational software programs. They do not have to be computer experts! They are available to answer basic questions about using computer software. Many learners feel more confident and motivated when a volunteer is available for assistance. Volunteers are needed for shifts throughout the day.
Please let us know if you would like to become a volunteer, have additional ideas about how to help us reach our goals or if you would like more information about Peninsula READS.
Click here to download the Qualifications and Responsibilities for Volunteer Tutors.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities or would like more information, please fill out our Volunteer Intake Form or Contact Us.
