Volunteers are needed to assist English-speaking adults who want to improve their reading, writing, math or basic technology skills.  Previous teaching experience is not necessary and you do not need to have a College degree - you just need to enjoy working with people and have a strong desire to teach someone the joy of reading and writing. 

Other volunteer opportunities:

• Assist with computers and literacy software.  The Literacy Department needs people who are comfortable using computers to help participants use special literacy software in the Computer Lab.

• Office assistance, answering phones in the Literacy Annex.

• Help staff with events such as Families for Literacy or Early Literacy programs.  Early Literacy offers parents and children a chance to volunteer together.

Tutors must be 18 years old. 

Opportunities for teens younger than 18 include: assisting children with computer skills, working with children in summer programs and assisting in the office.
 

 

Tutor Advisory Board

Escondido Public Library's Literacy Services Tutor Advisory Board consists of 6 members.  Board members serve for 2 years. 

FAQ for Tutors

• What qualifications do I need to become a tutor?
  Volunteer tutors must speak English, be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. The ability to work with a diverse population and the desire to help another succeed is necessary.
   
• Do I need previous tutoring experience to become a tutor?
  No.  Literacy staff will provide training and ongoing support to assist you in your tutoring experience.  We provide assessment in learner skill levels before matching individuals with tutors. Resources and materials will be available to you as well as refresher training and tutoring tips and techniques.
   
• Who are the learners?
  Learners are English speaking adults, 16 years or older who may either be native born speakers or have English as a second language.  Many are employed, have families, and all are committed to improving their lives.
   
• What kind of commitment do I have to make?
  We ask for a commitment of at least one year. Tutoring sessions are 1 1/2 hours, 2 times a week for a total of 3 hours per week. Tutors and learners arrange the days and times for their sessions.
   
• Where will I tutor?
  Tutoring space is provided at the Main Library, Branch Library and the Literacy Annex.  Computer literacy is provided at the Mathes Center Computer Lab, Branch Library and Literacy Annex.  In some instances, appointments may be necessary.
   
• How long do students remain in the program?
  Program services are focused around learner's objectives.  There is no time limit to how long a student is enrolled in the program.  Tutors and learners are periodically interviewed to assess progress and review learners' goals and objectives.  Students may be referred to other programs once they have achieved proficiency in their basic skills.

FAQ for Mentors

Steppin' Up!
Youth Academic Mentoring FAQs

• What is the Youth Academic Mentoring program?
  Youth Academic Mentoring is a mentoring and tutoring program that was started by the Escondido Public Library's Literacy Services. It pairs local first thru eighth grade students with volunteers from Cal State San Marcos serving as academic mentors. YAM focuses on three main objectives, character development, relationship building and academic tutoring. We hope to inspire students to be productive community members as well value the power of education thru strength-based mentoring.
• What is mentoring?
  A mentor is defined as a "wise and trusted advisor." It's someone who nurtures and guides a younger protege, or mentee in the pursuit of his or her goals. All of us have had mentors "an aunt, a teacher, a coach, a pastor" who inspired us to achieve great things while helping us avoid negative influences and potential barriers. Behind every successful adult is at least one mentor who showed the way, providing a positive role model.

• What is Strength-based Mentoring?
  Strength-based mentoring identifies what is going well, does more of it and builds on it. We have three areas of focus: character development, relationship building and academic tutoring. By working with what skills the student already has, we build on their strengths and broaden their perspectives.

• Does mentoring work?
  The mentors provided by formal programs such as Escondido Public Library's YAM are able to achieve powerful results for the youth they work with. National studies have found that mentored youth: 
  • Were 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs
  • Were 27% less likely to initiate alcohol use
  • Were 38% less likely to engage in violence
  • Skipped school 52% less
  • Decreased lying to their parents by 37%

• Who are the students that are being mentored?
  The students are first thru eighth graders who attend our local public schools that are at least one to two grade levels behind in their academics. These students are considered "low to moderate" risk meaning that they would benefit from mentors who provide companionship, academic tutoring, career and professional guidance. They are youth with unlimited potential and have not been impacted as much by gang violence, or drug and alcohol abuse. Low to moderate risk students are very impressionable and eager for assistance.

• What are expected outcomes for students?

In order to achieve any measure of success, the program requires exposure (duration, intensity, and breadth). If a student meets with their mentor regularly for a year we expect:
• Prospective broadening
• Grade level increase
• Improved attendance (both at school and in the program)
• Where will the mentoring take place?
  Currently, all mentoring takes place at our Youth Academic Mentoring Center, located next door to the East Valley Branch of the public library. The branch is located at 2245 East Valley Parkway.

• Why should I volunteer to be an academic mentor?
  There are numerous reasons, and much research on how mentoring others helps those who mentor. Besides transforming a young person's life through nurturing and caring, mentors report how they are transformed. To put it succinctly, Margaret Mead said it best, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

• What skills do I need to be successful as a mentor?
  You need to be a caring and committed individual who recognizes the value of additional companionship and guidance to a young person. Patience, sincerity and thoughtfulness are appropriate aspects of a good mentor's attitude. You must also be an individual who values the power of education and recognizes the better opportunities that come with educational empowerment. We want to focus on strength-based mentoring to assist our students in their development.

• Are their any specific requirements to be a mentor?
  Our mentors must be at least 18 years of age who are willing to be fingerprinted to reveal a clean background check. You must also be able to attend a day training session. There is also a weekly time commitment of one day a week for 3 hours, in which you will work with your "mentee". You will need to have a mode of transportation to get to the Youth Academic Mentoring Center.

• Do you provide training?
  Yes. Mentors are given training in tutoring strategies, as well as mentoring strategies.

• How long of a commitment is necessary?
  Studies on mentoring have found that relationships need to develop over extended periods of time (a year or more) before they have lasting impact. We ask that you commit to at least a year in order to allow the relationship to strengthen and strive.

• Will I have to interact with the family of my student?
  We encourage family participation and structure activities that include parents. Maintaining contact with parents helps to promote student engagement, positive behavior and stronger academic performance. While the mentor is not expected to meet one-on-one with the family, staff will have regular communication with families to let them know how their students are doing, and to keep them updated on program progress and activities.

   

• How do I sign-up as a volunteer?
  If you would like to become a youth academic mentor then please call, Megan Goldsborough at the Youth Literacy Office, (760) 839-4273. She will be able to set you up with a volunteer application and fingerprinting form.