The true meaning of life is to plant a tree, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.

Nelson Henderson

Over 900 of you sat patiently week after week next to our young readers this year helping them acquire the vital skill of reading and helping them learn to enjoy reading.  Truly, you have "planted trees" that will help our community prosper long after your service has ended.  There is no way we can adequately thank you.

I had the opportunity to speak with a tutor this morning whose child progressed to the 90th percentile on her MAP reading tests, a huge jump from her beginning score.  The tutor, the child and the coordinator ended their last session in tears, tears over the outstanding progress and tears over parting for the summer. 

There are some benefits of your service that we can not measure.  I hope you enter this summer season knowing that you have touched a life in ways you will never know, but ways that will help a child for a lifetime.

We look forward to seeing all of you back in the fall.  Meanwhile, I am here all summer.  If you need anything please email me or contact me by phone.

Thanks to Our Outstanding Coordinators

Our program's success rests in large part with the coordinators who work with tutors, building staff and students day in and day out.  We honored them at our end-of-the-year luncheon. Coordinators are pictured below.
 

Honoring Ten Year Tutors!

Fifty-nine individuals have been with our program for the whole ten years of its existence. Their outstanding commitment to the children in our community was honored at a luncheon held at Steelcase University on May 20.  Pictured below are the ten year tutors from Kent Hills Elementary.  

Fall Start-up for Schools of Hope

All tutors can expect to receive a letter from United Way in late August with instructions for starting the new school year.  The letter will include the name and contact number for the coordinator at the school where you tutored this year.  It will also include information on changing your contact information in case it has changed. 

Tutors may also change contact information at any time at our web site.  If you want to change your contact information, please click here.

NOTE TO STUDENT TUTORS: We do not send letters to student tutors in August because so many change addresses.  If you would like to continue to tutor, please contact the school where you tutored this year or email Fritz at United Way if you want to change schools.

Investing in Children

Thanks to anonymous tutors 37 children (35 at Kent Hills alone) have received scholarships to the GRASP summer learning program, enabling them to stem summer learning loss.  In addition, we have received donations totaling $2,700 that will help provided needed books and supplies directly to Schools of Hope sites next fall.

We are very, very grateful for our tutors who invest their time and/or money in Schools of Hope programs.  Your investment in children will help build a stronger community for all of us.  

United Way Worldwide Launches Mentoring Effort

Americans have spoken and the consensus is out: improving education is a community responsibility. Today, fewer Americans are likely to earn a diploma than their parents, a distinction not shared by any other industrialized country.

On June 21, United Way will launch an ambitious goal to recruit one million volunteer readers, tutors and mentors. There is something for everyone with the passion and commitment to get things done.

Sometimes kids just need someone who believes in them. Join United Way and come together with friends, family, and neighbors to show the power of Living United. Volunteer reading, tutoring or mentoring one hour each week can change the life of a young person. If one million of us do it, it will change America.

Click here for more information on this effort.

Schools of Hope on the Morning Show

This month's guest on the Morning Show with Shelley Irwin on WGVU Radio was Misti Stanton, Schools of Hope Literacy Trainer.  

Hear Misti's interview by clicking here.

Meet Jay Smith- AmeriCorps Member

AmeriCorps member, Jay Smith, has had a busy year serving at South West Community Campus, Coit and Campus Elementary. While he says he initially joined AmeriCorps because it was a new opportunity and a way to help his community, Jay says that working with the kids is why he really loves this position. After his year of service is up, Jay plans to take what he has learned in AmeriCorps with him into the Air Force, where he will continue to serve his country

AmeriCorps member, Carol Huttenga, was no stranger to the Schools of Hope program when she started her service last fall. She had been a Schools of Hope tutor  for two years at Kent Hills before learning about the AmeriCorps position. "The opportunity presented itself and I have a heart for literacy and service," Carol said while discussing why she joined the program. Carol says her favorite part about serving in Schools of Hope is tutoring the students and helping them become successful readers. She has enjoyed her time so much, that she plans to continue to serve as a Schools of Hope AmeriCorps member next year. Carol adds, "It has been a real rewarding experience, everyone should have the opportunity to be in a service position at some point."