Thank you for expressing interest in volunteer tutoring. The San Diego Council on Literacy supports a variety of literacy programs throughout San Diego County. These programs provide one-on-one, small group, and classroom tutoring services for adults, youth, and families.

You do not need to have any previous experience to tutor at any of our literacy programs.
A love for reading and helping people are good traits to have to be a successful tutor.
You must be 18 years of age or older to tutor at most of our literacy programs.

To Volunteer Now:

Use our convenient online registration form to contact us or you can call the literacy hotline at 888-850-READ (7323) for more information.

Your personal information will ONLY be shared with a partner literacy program. We do not sell or give out personal information to any other companies or organizations.

Following are general descriptions for available opportunities.

Please forward your name, address, phone number, and the program you are interested in through the online volunteer registration form, through personal email to jballentine@literacysandiego.org, or you can call the literacy hotline at 888-850-READ (7323) for more information.

Adult Literacy - Tutor adults one-on-one at your local library.
The time commitment is 2, 1 ½ -hour sessions a week for 3 hours total per week. Most programs like you to commit to tutoring for at least 6 months. The training ranges from 12 - 15 hours depending on the program. Hours and locations are very flexible throughout the county.

Youth and Children - Tutor children one-on-one at schools or community centers. Most opportunities to tutor children require you to be available during the school day. There are a limited number of programs that have opportunities available during evenings and weekends. The time commitment is one hour a week for a period of 3 - 4 months. The trainings are usually 3 - 5 hours on a Saturday morning.

ESL (English as a Second Language) - Tutor small groups of adults to improve their speaking and literacy skills in English. The time commitment is one day a week for 2 hours. Locations and times vary throughout the county. Usually this program takes place at church community centers. The training is approximately 12 hours.

Classroom Literacy - Assist in a GED, ESL, or Adult Basic Education class at your local community college. Most community colleges in San Diego County offer adult school classes and often need assistants in the classroom. Training, time commitment and available hours vary depending on the class.

Family Literacy - Work with parents and children ages 0 - 5. Help parents improve their literacy and parenting skills to break the cycle of illiteracy. The training, time commitment and available hours vary depending on the program. Many of these programs take place at local elementary schools or libraries.