Ringing in the new year
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 It's a new year with endless possibilities for change ahead. Our goal this year is to eliminate waitlists for reading, tutoring and mentoring programs throughout San Diego County. Did you know there are thousands of young people in our community just waiting for a caring adult to step up and volunteer? We honor and thank you for the commitment you've already made to our County's youth, and ask you to help spread the word to meet the ever-growing demand for volunteers to support youth achievement. You can raise awareness by posting "I AM A MENTOR" on your Facebook page or Tweet your experiences with #liveunitedsd. If you've already started volunteering in the community, tell us about it! Email us at volunteeropps@uwsd.org to share your volunteer story. You may be featured in upcoming news stories in U-T San Diego, in United Way newsletters or on our national website.
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| "One hundred years from now it won't matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like, but the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child."
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And the Readers Go Rolling Along
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 | | Books bring a smile to any child's face! |
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Many of San Diego's fourth-grade students struggle with literacy and aren't reading proficiently. By instilling excitement about books and a love of reading, Rolling Readers, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, creates the foundation for literacy and cultivates lifelong readers and learners among children.
The Read-Aloud program--in which volunteers read weekly during the school year to the same K-3 classroom in low-income communities--motivates children to develop a passion for reading and literature.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for six months to a year, but can also "team-up" with colleagues to help make the commitment.
"By sharing your love of reading," explained Rolling Readers Executive Director Susan Fiske-Koehler, "you can change a child's life, one book at a time."
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Mission Possible
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Tutors on Mission, one of UC San Diego's student-run, service-based organizations, recruits and trains student volunteers to tutor and mentor children. Assisting younger students involves more than helping with homework: the volunteers also offer emotional support and a positive presence, inspiring their younger charges toward better life choices. A balanced tutor-to-student ratio helps the volunteers bond with the students and gauge their progress.
"Even though it's early in the morning, it's why I keep going back," explains one student volunteer, who tutors in southeast San Diego. "It's overwhelming when you see their demeanor change, once they understand what you're trying to explain. It's such a sense of accomplishment-for yourself and the one you're helping. This is worth so much more than my time spent sleeping in."
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Spread the Word
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Post a video or comment stating your personal pledge to volunteer on Facebook.
Post a photo of your participation in volunteer projects on our Facebook page.
Tweet your experiences and tag your posts #liveunitedsd.
Check in at your volunteer location on Foursquare or Facebook. Tell friends what you're experiencing.
Encourage friends, family, and coworkers to sign up for theVolunteer Challenge.
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Uplift - Kids at Heart
Become a volunteer tutor and help brighten a child's future. For one hour each week, tutors work one-on-one with students to improve reading skills, complete homework assignments, and play educational games. Most of the students are in elementary school and live in San Diego's urban communities. Tutoring sessions take place in late afternoon and evening hours.
The unique part of "Kids at Heart" is that they are a free one-on-one tutoring program - thanks to volunteers! They match a tutor with a student and have them work together for the entire school year or until the school year ends in June. Volunteer tutors can also use this tutoring time to act as mentors as well so the relationship that the tutor builds with his or her student is pretty special.
North County Lifeline - After School Tutors
North County Lifeline delivers services to children, families and individuals to resolve problems, increase skills, and nurture self-reliance. Volunteer are needed as afterschool program assistants to help with homework and program activities at Crown Heights Resource Center.
North County Lifeline began in 1969 with a mission to enhance the positive qualities of individual, family, and community life. Lifeline has expanded to encompass a broad range of programs and services in the areas of youth mentoring and support; counseling and mental health practices; family development; financial literacy and self-sufficiency; legal, mediation and fair-housing advocacy; crisis intervention and emergency assistance; tax preparation, and more.
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