Now’s the time to volunteer to help grow stronger readers
Everyone has a role to play in growing stronger readers. And given the impact of COVID learning loss, the need for extra support is greater than ever.
If you believe in the power of reading to transform young lives and are looking to help out, Philly has some amazing initiatives looking for people like you.
Here are a few of our favorite volunteer opportunities changing the lives of young readers citywide.
AARP Foundation Experience Corps
Volunteers 50+ are tutoring and mentoring children across Philly.
AARP Foundation Experience Corps is an intergenerational, volunteer-based tutoring program that helps children who aren’t reading at grade level to become better readers by the end of third grade. Experience Corps empowers adults 50 and older to serve in their community by working to disrupt the cycle of poverty and make a lasting difference in the lives of America’s most vulnerable children by tutoring and mentoring kindergarten through third-grade students.
Caring neighbors helping families grow young readers one conversation at a time.
Hundreds of Philadelphians citywide have raised their hand to become the go-to literacy resource for families in their neighborhood. Reading Captains receive training, resources, and awesome swag to share with their community. And if you’re interested, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow Reading Captains citywide on volunteer and event projects.
Senior volunteers are serving as tutors and reading coaches in local elementary schools.
RSVP Philadelphia is an organization dedicated to bringing together volunteers ages 55+ and non-profit agencies to meet needs throughout the community. In Philadelphia, KleinLife serves as the leading RSVP sponsor that coordinates volunteer opportunities throughout the city.
Trained volunteers are providing children with one-on-one reading support. And giving out free books for children to take home!
Philly Reading Coaches is a program that combines early reading support, access to books, and community volunteers to boost reading skills for our city’s children. The program works by pairing trained volunteers with young students and by providing fun and child-guided reading experiences that help build reading skills and motivation. Each child in the program also receives 25 free books to take home.
Tutors are paired with local classrooms for one-on-one guided reading support. All virtual, all fun!
Vello is the innovative, 1:1 tutoring program from United Way that matches tutor teams with local classrooms for guided reading support. Vello mobilizes passionate professionals to tutor students in reading through a safe and secure digital setting.
Together, students and tutors read e-books using super simple screen sharing and audio. This all virtual model allows you to make a difference from any device, and anywhere!
The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC)
Help re-open public school libraries across Philadelphia.
Since 2009, WePAC has opened 19 libraries in Philadelphia, providing library services in schools with more than 4,750 students. Volunteers are essential to bringing the magic of the library to life whether they support behind the scenes, read to children, or help them check out a book they’ll love.
