Volunteer

Our Tutors

We are always looking for volunteers who share our passion for educating kids in foster care. You do not need a background in education or foster care to apply. Our volunteers are former teachers, stay at home moms, accountants, lawyers, retirees, and many others who just want to help a child in foster care succeed. If you are able to commit to at least one hour a week and be a consistent, reliable, positive adult presence in a student’s life, we have a place for you. We match tutors with students they are comfortable tutoring, according to grade level and subject matter. Whether you are interested in helping a kindergartner learn his colors or a high schooler build her confidence in math, we have a spot for you.

Process

  1. Complete the application here.
  2. After you complete and submit the application to volunteer, we will call you to set up a virtual interview.
  3. Once references are checked, you will attend a two hour virtual training. We’ll teach you about the foster care system, and trauma-informed care. The training also includes guidance on how to work with families and students, an overview of typical grade-level skills and knowledge, and ideas and strategies for sessions.
  4. Once we find you a match, we run a background check and facilitate an introductory meeting with the student and family.

Our volunteers range in age from those in their 20s, to those in their 70s; we believe that people in all stages of life have unique skills, talents and experiences to offer children at-risk.

What volunteers have said about their experience with Learning Bridge:

“I’m a first grade teacher and I love being able to have the opportunity to use my skills to help kids in need. Through this program I’ve been able to practice my sign language with my foster pair and build a relationship with them. If you have an extra hour to spare a week this is a great, rewarding opportunity to give back!”

-Corinne, tutor

“After working with my student for 3 months, he said for the first time, ‘I can read!.’ I was thrilled to hear this and felt I accomplished what I wanted – to close the achievement gap for a child at-risk.”

-Christa, tutor