Volunteers will work with migrant children on their homework and basic and academic English skills in a one-on-one setting. Often, migrant children are a grade-level behind their peers because of the difficulty of acquiring academic English and/or disruptions in their school attendance. Students often need help with learning academic terms, concepts, applications, and general studying skills. Volunteers are also able to offer a support system for these children that would otherwise not be available, often due to their parents' lack of English skills or demanding work schedules. Volunteers will help students with homework assignments and review work that was done in the classroom, ensuring that the student has understood all of their work. Volunteers will also provide supplemental activities that improve students' general academic and English skills, which include playing fun and educational games. Volunteers will have weekly communication with a Migrant Education contact person who will guide their tutoring experience and answer questions, concerns, etc.
Some volunteers will also work with parents or other adults of migrant families. Certain parents may want to learn more English or study for other goals, such as the GED or the citizenship test. If an adult in the family wishes to be tutored, it will be listed under the family's name during the sign-up period.
The Homework Helpers Program offers extra support to a wonderful group of kids in the Albemarle region. Migrant Aid volunteers offer a support system that helps migrant children adjust to and succeed in the Virginia public school system. Most families will receive a group of volunteers two nights each week. Most importantly, the positive encouragement of UVA students helps to improve social and academic confidence amongst migrant students. By volunteering 3 hours a week, you can help change a child's life forever!
Who can volunteer?
Any UVA student!! No Spanish is required. Most of the kids are fluent in spoken English. Many adults are beginning English students and although some Spanish knowledge is useful, some of our best tutors have not spoken a word of Spanish! If Spanish is required for a certain student, it will be noted on the sign up sheet. Just sign up at Madison House during the first two weeks of classes. Please see "Get Involved".
Note: A training session is required for all volunteers before they can begin tutoring.
When do volunteers go out?
The program requires a 3-hour commitment one day a week for the course of one semester. Tutoring opportunities are from either 3-6 pm or 6-9 pm, Monday through Thursday. Carpools will be arranged by the Program Directors. If you are a driver, we will compensate you for gas.
Where do volunteers tutor?
Tutors will go to the houses of migrant families, who have been previously evaluated by Migrant Education. Housing conditions range from trailer homes, to apartments, to converted chicken coops. These tutoring sites are located all over the county, ranging in driving time from 10 minutes to 45 minutes. A Program Director or a Migrant Education employee will take you out to the house on the first night. Directions will be provided.
What else?
Please note that attendance for each weekly tutoring session is MANDATORY. Our kids really rely on us!!! (Of course, illnesses and emergencies will be excused).
