Centers for Reading and Writing > Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs on volunteering at the Centers for Reading and Writing

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO BECOME A TUTOR?
To be a volunteer, you need to enjoy working with people, enjoy reading and writing, and have a genuine enthusiasm for learning. You do not need to have a college degree.

DO I NEED PREVIOUS TUTORING EXPERIENCE TO BECOME A TUTOR?
No. The Centers' professional staff provide initial training and ongoing support to assist you in teaching adults to learn to read and write.

WHAT KIND OF COMMITMENT DO I HAVE TO MAKE?
You need to make a time commitment of nine months to a year. Tutoring takes place at the Center two times per week. Each session is two hours long. This means that you must be able to tutor twice a week for a total of four hours.

WHO ATTENDS THE PROGRAM?
The students who come to the Centers are adults over 16, who are out of school and would like to improve their reading and writing. Most of our students are in the beginning stages of their reading and writing development. They often live in the community and find the library a comfortable place to return to school.

HOW DO STUDENTS FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
Students learn about the Centers in the following ways: referrals by friends; flyers posted in the libraries and throughout the community; centralized literacy referral networks; referrals from social service agencies and other educational programs; and public service announcements on radio and television.

HOW LONG DO STUDENTS REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM?
There is no time limit to how long a student can stay in the program. However, when a student has reached a certain level of proficiency in reading and writing site staff and volunteer tutors work together with the student to help him or her decide upon the next steps in their education. Often students enter pre-GED or GED programs after leaving the Centers.