Our Mission:
We are committed to meeting the challenge to have all children reading well and independently by the end of third grade. Our mission is to:
- Enhance kids' literacy skills.
- Provide greater access to books to develop a home library.
- Offer opportunities for kids to read and develop a relationship with a caring young adult.
Our Tutoring Roles:
Our in-person tutoring role offers a commitment of 5-10 hours per week and allows tutors to work with elementary students in-person during the school day, or after school. Transportation is provided by the Ginsberg Center.
Interested in being a tutor?
Please submit an application to become a tutor for Winter 2025. You must have work study to work with the America Reads program. Once you apply, if you are a good match, our team will contact you to set up a brief interview. The application for the Winter 2025 term will close on 12/6/24.
Check out this FAQ video that explains more about the America Reads program. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at [email protected].
Leadership Opportunities:
- To be hired as a team leader, a student must have completed at least 1 semester of service with America Reads and are required to submit an application and complete an in-person interview.
Our History:
Early elementary is a critical time in a child's development of literacy skills, and research indicates that if a child is not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, they may be at a long-term disadvantage. In August of 1996, President Clinton called upon every American to join his America Reads Challenge to help more children read well and independently by the end of the third grade.
In the Fall of 1997, the Edward Ginsberg Center for Community Service and Learning, the Office of Financial Aid, and the School of Education came together to form the University of Michigan America Reads Tutoring Corps. Since that time, the program has served thousands of children in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, reaching more than 500 elementary students each year.