United Way of the Wine Country Recruiting Schools of Hope Volunteers
United Way of the Wine Country (UWWC) is recruiting volunteers for its Schools of Hope program in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties. Schools of Hope is an early intervention program for children in kindergarten through third grade who are struggling with reading. Schools of Hope began in Sonoma County in 2010.
Jennifer O’Donnell, Executive Vice President for United Way of the Wine Country, states, “We are excited to begin the 10th year of Schools of Hope. What started with just 80 volunteer tutors in six schools has grown to nearly 500 volunteers in 37 schools.”
The program pairs children identified by school representatives as needing additional help with reading skills with volunteer tutors trained by United Way. Reading proficiency is a core building block of education and vital for mastering the skills necessary to thrive.
“The impact of Schools of Hope volunteers is invaluable to our community,” emphasized O’Donnell.
Lisa Wittke Schaffner, former Healdsburg Mayor and United Way Board member, has volunteered as a Schools of Hope tutor and says, “I went in thinking it was all about reading, being a tutor, and these kids really stole my heart.” Tutors develop important connections with the students they work with which helps the child develop self-confidence in reading and learning. Lisa continued, “We read, we stayed focused, but they really wanted to talk about other stuff too.”
Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. It is essential for finding and keeping a job with a livable wage and health benefits. Too many local children are failing, and there is evidence of a wide achievement gap. Research shows third grade reading proficiency is a powerful predictor of later academic achievement. In Sonoma County, only 49% of third graders score as proficient in reading.
United Way of the Wine Country will hold Schools of Hope orientations for interested volunteers at various locations through early September with tutoring beginning in October. For more information, please contact Ariel Vipond at 707-528-4485 x103 or visit unitedwaywinecountry.org.
