Volunteer

Literacy Connects programs are always in need of volunteers!!

We have several different opportunities for volunteers, including working directly with adults and children to improve their literacy skills, cleaning gently used books to be distributed in the community, and even providing general office assistance at our program locations.

Attend a Literacy Briefing to Learn More

A Literacy Briefing is a great place to start if you aren’t sure where or how you want to volunteer. At the Briefing you will receive an overview of the internal programs of Literacy Connects, as well as our broader efforts to create a sustainable culture of literacy and creative expression. Briefings are held at lunchtime on the last Wednesday of the month, as well as occasional Saturday mornings, at our main office located at 2850 E. Speedway. For a complete list of upcoming Literacy Briefing dates, please click here.

Seating is limited at these sessions, so pre-registration is required. Please call us at 520-882-8006 to reserve your spot today!!

Help Children Learn to Read

Reach Out and Read Southern Arizona

More than 90% of a child’s brain development occurs in the first three years of life. Reach Out and Read Southern Arizona partners with pediatricians to provide early literacy coaching to parents and new books for young children to keep at each well-child visit from birth through five years.  At select El Rio health clinics, Volunteer Readers help create a literacy-rich environment for families in the waiting room and demonstrate vital read-aloud activities for parents. Volunteer Readers commit to one hour every two weeks, and are expected to complete a short training and background check. Volunteer Readers may be minors if parent permission is obtained.

To learn more about becoming a Volunteer Reader at participating El Rio locations, please contact Tami Arthur at El Rio Health Center via email at tamia@elrio.org or call 520-449-3339.

Reading Seed Children’s Literacy Program

In Pima County, over 40% of fourth grade students are reading below grade level. Reading Seed trains volunteer Reading Coaches to work with students in 1^st  through 3^rd grade who are reading below grade level. Each student receives 30 minutes of one-on-one mentoring and support every week. Volunteers commit to working with a minimum of 2 students each school year – a time commitment of one hour per week. Reading Coaches do not need any prior experience as an educator or tutor, and Reading Seed provides free trainings, professional development, books and materials to support their Reading Coaches.

For more information or to register for an upcoming training, please visit the Reading Seed program pages. You can also contact the Reading Seed office directly at 798-0700 or email the Reading Seed Program Director with any questions you might have.

Help Adults Learn to Read, Write and Speak English

Literacy Volunteers of Tucson

Nearly 1 in 5 adults in Arizona is functionally illiterate. That is, they can’t read, write, or speak English well enough to read instructions, fill out an application, or interview for a job. Literacy Volunteers of Tucson is working to change that reality and LVT Volunteers are the heart and soul of those programs.  After completing a comprehensive training program, LVT volunteers work with students who need help learning English or basic reading, writing and math skills. As a LVT tutor, you will be helping someone to improve his or her life – and enriching yours at the same time.

The first step to becoming an LVT tutor is to attend a New Volunteer Orientation. Orientations are held at the main Literacy Connects office at 2850 E. Speedway. For more information about volunteering with Literacy Volunteers of Tucson or for a list of upcoming New Volunteer Orientations, please visit the LVT program pages  or call us at 520-882-8006.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

• Help clean gently used books to be distributed in the community. (Contact the Reading Seed Library Coordinator)
• Write book reviews for children or adults for our website. (Contact the Reading Seed Program Director)
• Help maintain the online Lending Library catalog at Reading Seed. (Contact the Reading Seed Library Coordinator)

Thank you again for offering your time and talents to support literacy!