Volunteer Info

“’Children Rising cares so much about these kids that it invests the time and effort to train the tutors and provide us with tools to do a good job.”

– Linda Hawkins, Reading Tutor (Read what others are saying)

See how our tutoring benefits the students and teachers we serve.

You can help a struggling student succeed –
We’ll help you do it

We invite YOU to join hundreds of volunteers who are nurturing and equipping students to rise above the challenges they face in school. Together, we can make a generational difference in Oakland and surrounding East Bay Communities and help reduce educational inequity. The key to our approach is engaging a caring community to reach these vulnerable children at a critical time in their life.

We structure Children Rising programs so that it is easy for you to step in and be effective immediately. Volunteer opportunities include tutoring elementary school children in reading and math, high school youth mentoring, and assisting with food distribution for families in need. Whether you are a Math Tutor or a Literacy Tutor or volunteering in a different capacity, we want to take care of you so you can effectively do the work.

Join us! The reward of watching a student progress as they reach their potential is priceless.

5 things you should know about becoming a volunteer tutor

1. No experience is necessary! We provide training, all the materials, and on-site coaching so that you can be effective immediately.

2. Our two-hour tutoring clinics are held at school sites during school hours. We hold clinics Monday thru Friday. Both morning and afternoon clinic times are available. At this time, we don’t have any evening or weekend tutoring opportunities.

3. You work with your students one on one. In a two-hour clinic, you tutor one student and then another student for 45 minutes each. We try to pair you with those students for the entire academic year.

4. We will require you to be screened as part of Volunteer Registration. Schools require all volunteers who interact with children to be screened for TB and criminal history.

5. We ask that you commit to coming every week until clinics close in the spring. It is important to show up for your student each week. They count on it! That being said, we recognize that life happens and you may need to miss some weeks for vacation or sick days. Just let us know ahead of time.

I'm interested in becoming a tutor and would like more information.

I want to learn more

Volunteer Opportunities: 4 Simple Ways you can help a child reach their potential

“What’s great is Children Rising provides a really clear framework and set of tools to help you make an immediate impact”

– Laura Engelken, Reading Tutor

Children Rising offers many opportunities for you to connect with a student, inspiring hope, and the confidence to succeed. By sharing your time, you connect with a student, a school, and your community.

Succeeding by Reading

How Does Succeeding by Reading Work?

Here's How!

Tutor a struggling reader
One-on-one time, two hours a week will empower vulnerable children to rise to their potential. We provide training, support, guidance, and all of the tools required for you to succeed each week. We pair you with a child and offer multiple locations and time slots to accommodate your schedule. Our step-by-step program makes it simple for you to inspire them along their journey to reading. It’s almost certain you will be inspired along the way as you work alongside other volunteers and these amazing children.

Time Commitment: 2 hours once a week, M-F during school hours

 

Path2Math

How does Path2Math Make Math Fun?

Here's How!

Tutor a struggling student in math
Just two hours of one-on-one time per week, during school, can help two struggling students learn basic math concepts, develop critical reasoning skills, and develop confidence as the world of numbers starts to make sense. We provide training, support, guidance, and all of the tools required for you to succeed each week.  We pair you with each child and offer the most convenient school and time slot to accommodate your schedule. You may find that the time spent with eager students and fellow volunteers is the highlight of your week!

Time Commitment: 2 hours once a week, M-F during school hours

 

CareerBridge

How Does CareerBridge Prepare Youth For Life After High School?

Here's How!

Be a mentor
Just one hour per week in spring and summer can help a young adult prepare for their crucial final years of high school. Be a positive role model for youth by listening to them, helping them make positive choices, and providing them with hope and a pathway to a promising career.  We provide the training. You provide the wisdom.

Time Commitment: 1 hour once or twice a week during Spring and Summer (you choose the time)

 

Health4kids

How Does Health4Kids Help Children Learn?

Here's How!

Bagging food for hungry students
Every other Wednesday from 9-11 am, our volunteers assemble thousands of nutritious food bags for students who would otherwise not have food over the weekend. It’s easy and fun as you work alongside many other volunteers. Through our partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank, we help elementary school students, who otherwise would be hungry, come to school on Monday morning, ready and more able to learn.

Time Commitment: 2 hours every two weeks on Wednesdays at 9:00 AM during the school year

 

Start volunteering

With support and encouragement from our staff and fellow volunteers, you can start to make a difference in the lives of children and youth immediately!

I want to help a student reach their potential

I want to learn more