EduMate NYC is a group of students virtually supporting young New Yorkers with their school work during the pandemic. EduMate NYC was founded by a team of college students who are all proud graduates of NYC public schools.
The focus is on serving K-12 NYC public school students from low-income households, students experiencing homelessness, undocumented students, English language learners, students with special educational needs and others who face disproportionate barriers to accessing education.
Visit the EduMate NYC website https://www.edumatenyc.org/home
Tutor sign up form is here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8EDOFDm00CJrnltfJ-Tp_T0wnmJduv8Xp1rLzec_RdoFf9Q/viewform?entry.1750533059=TutorSignupSpring2020
Lutheran Children and Family Service of Eastern Pennsylvania commits itself to serve vulnerable children and families in community through culturally competent ministries of care, nurturing, shelter, advocacy, and counseling, including but not limited to foster care, adoption, family preservation, education, resettlement, housing and job development. Students can get involved with our refugee resettlement program, BOOST after school program, and our West Philadelphia Senior Community Center.
The Lutheran Children and Family Service Refugee Resettlement Program is a local affiliate of the National Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which assists refugees and asylees through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State. When a refugee family arrives to the area, Lutheran Children and Family Service is responsible for gathering available resources, finding housing and employment, and providing general cultural orientation. Our refugee resettlement services are designed to create a smooth transition to life in the local community and to promote economic self-sufficiency. Volunteers are needed to mentor refugee families, escort refugees to appointments, provide homework help for refugee youth, set up refugee homes, assist with ESL classes, tutor unaccompanied refugee minors, collect donations, and provide childcare at workshops.
BOOST (Best Out of School Time) is a program through Lutheran Children and Family Service that provides before and after school programs to over 900 youth at 11 schools in Southwest, West, North, and Northeast Philadelphia. Volunteers are needed to assist with homework and lead clubs and workshops for our students.
The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center (WPSCC) is a program through Lutheran Children and Family Service that offers dynamic and rewarding activities and events for older adults, ages 50 and above, who are residents of Philadelphia. WPSCC offers a computer lab with new computers and iPads for instruction and use, a fitness room with physical trainer and various exercise programs, as well as an array of daily classes and activities that enrich the mind, body and spirit. Volunteers are needed to teach classes in topics such as Spanish, quilting, woodworking, and scrapbooking.
Mighty Writers offers after-school tutoring, night classes and weekend classes to Philadelphia kids between the ages of 7 and 17. These programs are designed to raise literacy amongst youth and develop strong, creative writers.
There are various volunteer opportunities, including tutoring, mentoring, workshop leadership roles, and internships available at Mighty Writers.
Puentes de Salud is a non-profit community health and wellness organization that partners with the Mexican immigrant population in south Philadelphia to promote well being by providing health care in addition to a variety of other programs. Currently, Puentes de Salud is working in partnership with the Graduate School of Education (GSE) at The University of Pennsylvania to develop an after school tutoring & mentoring program that focuses on the education of undocumented, immigrant children in the elementary grades 1-3. We are seeking motivated and committed volunteers to join us in this effort as tutors and mentors. Group tutoring sessions will pair tutors with two to three students to help them with their homework, educational development, and social support. This opportunity will require a commitment of 2 hours per week, with a minimum of one semester of service requested. We are hoping to have teams of 2 tutors paired with 4 students, with a mandatory meeting one afternoon per week and drop-in hours on the other days.
Established in 1921, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a nonprofit organization that provides social, educational, senior, translation/interpretation, and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area. You can help by volunteering/interning in a number of capacities, including as a teacher, teaching assistant, tutor, office helper, graphic designer, companion, bilingual receptionist, and more. Please see their website for more information.
PhillySpells runs the Spells Writing Lab, a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that develops the creative and expository writing abilities of school-age children through free, fun, and imaginative writing programs and teacher development opportunities. From the PhillySpells website:
“At Spells, we believe that literacy is a cornerstone for future success, and that personalized attention and unconventional learning opportunities can inspire students to greater triumphs, both in the classroom and in life. To further these ends, we offer the following programs:
after-school drop-in tutoring
weekend writing workshops
in-school assistance with student publications
partnerships with non-profits
professional development opportunities for teachers
All of our programs are free, and many incorporate other artistic disciplines such as music, film, or the visual arts to inspire young writers.”
—-Volunteer Opportunities—-
Whether you’re interested in becoming a tutor, a workshop leader, a lab assistant, or another kind of helper, the process begins when you submit our online volunteer application. On the form, be sure to indicate which volunteer orientation you’d like to attend. Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted to confirm your orientation session.
Once you’re a trained Spells volunteer, you’ll recieve occasional emails letting you know what’s been going on at the lab, giving you additional training support, and listing upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Are you a graphic designer, artist, copyeditor, or publishing professional? Volunteer to help out with PhillySpells publications!
Spells Writing Lab offers in-school assistance for newspapers and literary magazines, which includes copyediting and layout. They also produce end-of-semester writing collections with tutoring students and occasionally need illustration or design expertise for writing workshops. (There are also opportunities for designers who would like to create promotional materials such as bookmarks, posters, and brochures.)
Whether you’ve been in the business for years, or are still in art school, you can use your art to make a difference. Sign up to be a Spells volunteer today!
EVENT PLANNERS & GRANT WRITERS
Do you absolutely love event planning? Are you interested in helping out during a fundraiser? Want to earn money for PhillySpells programs with your grant writing prowess? Spells could definitely use your help! Simply indicate your interest on our volunteer application or email fundraising@phillyspells.org.