Literacy Mentor

Passion for Literacy – Heart of a Mentor

Become a Literacy Mentor

Only 47% of our 6th graders are reading proficiently by the time they enter junior high. We want every student in our city to have books and to be able to read them. You can join ENP and come alongside early elementary teachers to work together to bridge that gap!

As a Literacy Mentor, you will be trained and equipped to work one-on-one with students so you can give each child what they need. You will build real relationships and see progress through the year.

We challenge you to be open to not only give your time but be open to your own personal growth as well as you invest in the lives of these children.

What exactly will you be doing? In grades K-2, you will primarily help with sight word/high-frequency word knowledge using our toolkit that includes booklets, flashcards, games, writing activities and more. For grades 3-6, you will primarily help students with reading fluency and comprehension. We will train you!

Training, placement, and support provided.

Commitment: minimum 1-2 hours, 1 day/week for a semester

The Literacy Mentor program is now in Spanish as well! We support in several Dual-immersion classrooms where students are learning to read and write primarily in Spanish. If you can speak and read at least some Spanish, students and teachers would love your help!

¡El programa de Tutor de Literatura ahora también está en español! Apoyamos en varias clases de doble inmersión donde los estudiantes están aprendiendo a leer y escribir principalmente en español. Si puedes hablar y leer al menos algo de español los estudiantes y profesores les encantará tu ayuda!

It gives students another adult to connect within the community. It gives students who are struggling 1 on 1 undivided help and attention several days a week 15-20 minutes which is invaluable!

Heather Rice 1st Grade Teacher @ Mt View
The set up of this program is very impressive. It's so well organized it makes working with the kids a joy. I am an immigrant to this country and did not learn English until I was ten and strongly believe that literacy is the gateway to overcoming challenges of poverty and failure.

Ani Chamichian Volunteer @ Ayer
This is extremely important, not just because of the reading skills the children learn, but the positive interaction that they get from an adult who cares.

Audrey Spenrath 1st Grade Teacher @ Powers-Ginsburg
I really enjoyed building a relationship with the students and seeing them progress so much in a few months.

Maribel Leal Volunteer @ Olmos and Susan B, FSU Student
That hour is the highlight of my week!

Margaret Kramer Volunteer @ Mt View, New Covenant Church

ENP Reads

Success achieved through community, literacy, and mentorship

ENP Reads trains and supports Fresno State students who are paid through Federal Work Study and College Corps. Mentors serve in elementary schools in grades K-2, at after-school programs both on and off campus, and Saturday Sports.

Learn more about ENP Reads here.

Learn more about College Student Work Opportunities here.

Want to Volunteer?

Step 1
Fill out the ENP Volunteer Application. Once received, we’ll send you the upcoming orientation/training dates.

There are now 2 ways to support kids:

Literacy Mentoring K-2: in-classrooms, during the school day
Literacy Mentoring 3-6: in-classrooms, during the school day

Indicate your choice on the application and RSVP for corresponding Orientation.

Please note: volunteers who are under 18 years of age and/or who live outside of the Fresno area will be paired with an adult volunteer in the Fresno area.

Step 2
Attend an Orientation/Training – all orientations/trainings will be held at the Leadership Training Center at 1719 L St, Fresno, CA.

Step 3
After Orientation, you will be placed and begin volunteering.

RSVP for an Orientation