Fill out the volunteer application!
There are multiple ways to volunteer with Freedom Readers. Please browse the volunteer opportunities below to determine how you may like to help improve literacy skills in the young scholars we serve!
Tutors
Freedom Readers tutors are people from all backgrounds who wish to help children navigate reading. They do not need to have any specialized training in reading, phonics, nor literacy. All they need is a willingness to help the scholar they are tutoring. We think of tutors as reading mentors or companions – someone who knows how to read and with whom scholars are able to practice their reading. We have 3 types of tutors:
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Traditional Tutor
Traditional Freedom Readers tutors help children navigate and make use of the reading skills they are learning in school. Tutors will meet at one of our traditional site locations one time a week for 90 minutes. Tutors are paired with a scholar that they will work with each week in a structured setting which includes 45 minutes of group activities and 45 minutes of reading one-on-one.
Traditional sites are available during the Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions. Fall sessions typically run for 10 weeks between September and November, Spring sessions typically run for 10 weeks between January and March, and Summer sessions run for 6 weeks between June and July.
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Book Club Tutor
As a Book Club tutor, you will lead 2-4 scholars in a literature circle. You will help guide respectful discussion of the book and encourage participation in the discussion. Book Club sites meet one time a week for 90 minutes.
Book Clubs are available during the Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions. Fall sessions typically run for 10 weeks between September and November, Spring sessions typically run for 10 weeks between January and March, and Summer sessions run for 6 weeks between June and July.
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Reading Lab Tutor
Reading Lab tutors work one-on-one with a scholar via zoom. They typically meet with their scholar 10 times per session at a time that is convenient for both the scholar and tutor. There are 4 sessions available each year. Sessions begin the first week of October, the first week of January, the first week of April, and the first week of July.
To get started as a tutor, please fill out the volunteer application. Remember, the location of where you tutor will determine what type of tutor you will be. All tutors must complete required training and successfully pass an annual background check.
Fill out the volunteer application!
Team Leader
Team Leaders are responsible for a Freedom Readers site. They lead the volunteer tutors and scholars through each meeting and follow the Freedom Readers model with fidelity. To express interest in being a Team Leader, please fill out the volunteer application and note your interest in the application. All team leaders should complete required training and successfully pass an annual background check.
Book Steward
Books Stewards assist Freedom Readers with the management of books in our library and process book donations. Book Stewards are needed to work in-person at the Freedom Readers main office, at the storage unit, online, and occasionally at our site locations. Book Stewards can sign up to volunteer Monday – Friday for morning shifts (9 am – 1 pm), afternoon shifts (1 pm – 5 pm), or can work with Freedom Readers staff to set up a custom time to help.
