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Attention Schools of Hope Tutors and Teachers!

Attention Schools of Hope Tutors and Teachers!

We love to hear about the impact of Schools of Hope! If you are a Schools of Hope tutor or a teacher, please share your story of how reading tutoring improves lives in our community. Send your Schools of Hope tutoring experience to schoolsofhope@waybetterunitedway.org

Schools of Hope

As part of United Way’s commitment to raise literacy level in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Public Schools, our K – 12 literacy programs, including FACTS, will come under the name Schools of Hope.

What is Schools of Hope?

Program Explanation

Did you Know?

We have a waiting list of children who need reading tutors. As a Schools of Hope reading tutor, you can change that. We are hoping to double the number of reading mentors, from 1,000 to 2,000 people.

Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Families and Community Together for Students, or Schools of Hope, partners with the Grand Rapids Public Schools to recruit and train reading tutors to work with elementary students in grades 1 – 3 in 15 schools.

Schools of Hope schools provide all the materials for tutors. During times tutors are present, all are provided direct supervision by Schools of Hope coordinators to answer any questions and to guide tutors. Most provide a separate room designated specifically for Schools of Hope.

Goals

The goal of Schools of Hope is that third graders in the Grand Rapids Public Schools will be performing at the same reading level as their counterparts in the Kent Intermediate School District as measured by the MEAP tests.

Schools of Hope has a goal of 2,000 tutors for the 2007 – 2008 school year. Currently, 965 tutors are active.

What others are saying about Schools of Hope?

What Other Volunteers are Saying:

“I am thankful for the time that I am allowed to spend mentoring at Kent Hills Elementary School. I have found the students to be eager to learn. It saddens me that all students in need do not have the opportunity to participate in the program.

“My weekly visits are the highlight of my week. I have grown so much from the experience because I have established relationships with beautiful children of varying social and ethnic backgrounds. They open themselves up and work so hard. It gives me strong feelings of hope about their futures, as well as the future of our community.”

Mike Pfennig, Schools of Hope Reading Tutor

“I just spent the most wonderful time at a Schools of Hope orientation and I want to encourage each and every one of you to consider the possibility of spending 30 minutes a week with one GRPS student. You can make a wonderful difference in the life of a child. What could be better? We all have busy jobs, busy lives and let wonderful, fulfilling opportunities pass us by. Take advantage of this. I cannot imagine that we, as volunteers, will not be the recipients of joyous rewards. I already feel good just making the commitment.”

Kathryn K., Schools of Hope Reading Tutor

What do children think of their Schools of Hope tutors?

These comments come from children involved in Schools of Hope:

“When I first met you, I knew I would learn a lot of things. When I first met you, I felt happy because I was going to have a buddy. I like having a buddy. We are happy with our mentors. We will miss you. We hope you will come next year.”

“I never used to read books. I didn’t even like reading, but now I enjoy reading. I feel good about myself because I learned how to read better all because of you. It is fun reading with a mentor because they help you solve stuff. I didn’t know how to read that much, now I read better, I feel happy because I went from 1st grade reading to 3rd. My mom is proud of me. It is great to have a mentor. I am happy because my mentor helped me become a 5th grade reader. I am happy because I am learning English. I am a better reader now and that makes me happy. Thank you for teaching me how to read better.”

“We respect you and you respect us. You tell us we are smart and to stay in school. I want to stay in school so I can be as smart as you. You encouraged me to stay in school. Maybe you are the one who helped me pass. One time you said I am smarter than you because I can speak two languages. I think you are smart, too, because you know words I never saw before. I plan to stay in school and become a doctor or a teacher someday. Thank you for spending your time with us.”

Interested?

Watch the Schools of Hope Video

Register for training.
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    One Child.  30 Minutes.  Once a Week.

    In just 30 minutes a week, volunteers can transform a child's life. Volunteer reading tutors are matched with children at 15 schools in Grand Rapids. 

    They read together for 30 minutes each week during the school year. 

    Become a Schools of Hope volunteer today! Contact Fritz Crabb at 616.459.6281 ext. 101 or e-mail Fritz Crabb at fcrabb@waybetterunitedway.org

    Watch our brand new video online, too!  Click this link: http://www.viddler.com/explore/kkwant/videos/20/
    website by CMC/GrandNet United Way Center • 118 Commerce Avenue SW • Grand Rapids, MI 49503
    tel 616.459.6281 • fax 616.459.8460