○ Grades: Grades 1-2
○ Where: 12 schools throughout Birmingham
○ When: 3-4 p.m. 1-2 days a week for 10 or 20 weeks during the school year
It’s critically important that children develop a love of reading early on, preferably by the first or second grade.
Children who aren’t reading on grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school than their peers.
The nonprofit STAIR of Birmingham – STAIR stands for Start the Adventure in Reading – helps struggling young readers by giving them the tools to learn how to read.
STAIR, which provides one-on-one tutoring to about 200 students annually, needs lots of volunteers.
In fact, between 300 and 400 tutors are needed each year to serve 200 first- and second-graders.
“The more volunteers we have, the more students that can participate,” said STAIR CEO Karen Griner.
Volunteering “can be incredibly rewarding and life changing for our tutors,” Griner said.
Regan began tutoring while attending UAB.
“What I wasn’t expecting was the absolute passion I ended up feeling for STAIR’s mission, and the love I felt for the students I was paired with,” Regan said.
Regan tutored for two years, and even changed career paths from medicine to education.
“I highly recommend STAIR to anyone needing volunteer hours,” she said.
One student who flourished at STAIR is Antonio, a kind, giggly, soccer-loving kid who recently completed his second year there.
Tutors Gracie and Kaylan worked with Antonio two days a week the first year, and his reading and self-confidence improved.
His second year, Antonio read more advanced books, and loved “Pete the Cat,” “The Good Egg” and “Five Little Monkeys.”
STAIR offers lots of opportunities to tutor and inspire kids like Antonio.
“Like me, you may end up with a new lifelong passion,” Regan said.
To fill out a volunteer application, go to stairbirmingham.org/tutor.
