Become A Tutor, Change a Life
Over the past 25+ years, The Koopersmith Family Literacy + Math Program at the JCC has trained hundreds of volunteers of all ages (16+) to help public school students who perform below grade level. Interested in changing a life? Join us to demonstrate your commitment to reducing learning loss and closing the opportunity gap among New York City’s school children.
- Reading Buddies at PS 84 + PS 163 | Monday–Thursday, 10 am–1 pm
- Reading to the Tinies at PS 145 | Monday–Thursday, 4–4:30pm
- School Day Academic Tutoring at PS 87 | Monday–Thursday, 8 am–2:30 pm
- General Classroom Assistance at PS 87 + PS 145 | Monday–Thursday during the School Day
- Intensive Literacy Tutoring at PS 145 + PS 163 | Monday–Thursday during the School Day
- ELL After School Support at PS 145 | Monday–Thursday, 3–4:30 pm
- Learn + Play: ELL After School at PS 163 | Monday–Thursday, 3–4:30 pm
- West Side Commons + JCC After School | Monday–Thursday, 3:30–6 pm*
- Tutoring Commitment
- Register to Volunteer
Reading Buddies at PS 84 + PS 163 | Monday–Thursday, 10 am–1 pm
Read with academically struggling students in grades 1–5 during students’ lunch and recess. Commitments start at one 50-minute session/week.
Reading to the Tinies at PS 145 | Monday–Thursday, 4–4:30pm
Read aloud to pre-K learners in a small after-school group. This is our only drop-in opportunity. You can sign up for as many or as few sessions as you’d like, with no fixed weekly commitment.
School Day Academic Tutoring at PS 87 | Monday–Thursday, 8 am–2:30 pm
Volunteer to support academically struggling students in grades 1–5 during the day. Tutors provide elementary school children with consistent individualized literacy and math support. Commitments start at one 50-minute session/week.
General Classroom Assistance at PS 87 + PS 145 | Monday–Thursday during the School Day
Provide flexible support to teachers and students in grades K–5 in general education classrooms. Tasks include working one-on-one or in small groups on teacher-directed academic activities. Commitments start at one 50-minute session per week between 8 am–2:30 pm.
Intensive Literacy Tutoring at PS 145 + PS 163 | Monday–Thursday during the School Day
Work one-on-one with a student in grades 1–2 twice a week to support early literacy skills using structured lesson plans and curriculum. Volunteers also participate in four required literacy training sessions throughout the year and ongoing communication with program staff. Commitments start at two 50-minute sessions per week between 8 am–2:30 pm.
ELL After School Support at PS 145 | Monday–Thursday, 3–4:30 pm
Support ELL students in grades K–5 with academic and language development during PS 145’s ELL Academy. Commitments start at one 90-minute session per week.
Learn + Play: ELL After School at PS 163 | Monday–Thursday, 3–4:30 pm
Under the guidance of PS 163 teachers, support English Language Learners ages 5–10 as they develop English proficiency, social-emotional skills, and academic skills after school. Commitments start at one 90-minute session/week.
West Side Commons + JCC After School | Monday–Thursday, 3:30–6 pm*
Holistically support students in a longstanding community after-school program serving elementary schoolers. After one hour of academic intervention and homework help, volunteers assist with literacy, play, fitness, and art activities in small and large groups. Commitments start at one 150-minute session per week.
*Please note that this program requires additional clearance–not JCC or DOE clearance–because the community center is operated by the Department of Health. West Side Commons will lead all training and clearance support for this program.
Tutoring Commitment
Tutoring is a yearlong commitment. Tutoring sessions begin in October and run through May. Volunteers are required to adhere to a consistent tutoring schedule, with no more than two unexcused tutor absences in an academic year. This ensures that students get the support and consistency they need to succeed.