Education and Tutoring
See also: Families
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Spend time and get to know a Little Brother or Little Sister. Be a friend not a parent or babysitter, go on group outings, and spend 3-4 hours a week with them. (Must be 19 to volunteer)
Sisters Plus- a program through Big Brothers Big Sisters designed to help growing girls 13-21 who are facing challenging new responsibilities and choices. (Must be 21 to volunteer)
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Boy Scouts of America
Be a volunteer leader. Do a service to your community while helping youth become better citizens.
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Boys and Girls Clubs
Interact with children through sports, arts, theater, snack time chats, and homework help. Help promote leadership, character, health, and career development to Pierce County’s youth.
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Brookdale Elementary
Help out in the classroom, tutor children in various subjects, do filing, copying, and work on special projects for the teacher and/or with the students.
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Camp Make-a-Dream
This camp for children and teens with cancer offers volunteer Cabin Counselor positions. Assist children with activities and other camp responsibilities.
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Child Reach
Volunteer to be a Child Reach Screener. You will be responsible for administering developmental screenings to children, ages birth to six. You will receive training.
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Children’s Museum of Tacoma
- Be a playguide: Play with visitors and engage them in the six different exhibits.
- Program Materials Preparation: Help prepare components for art projects.
- Special Events: Help us with birthday parties on weekends and after hours.
- Clean Air For Kids: Perform home environmental assessments for families in Pierce County. Use a checklist to identify environmental triggers and recommend ways to reduce or eliminate exposure.
Community Youth Services
- Youth Advisory Committee Member: Help plan programs and make suggestions to meet the needs of the youth in the community (3hrs /mo.).
- Community Accountability Board Member: Interview teens who have committed misdemeanor offenses and determine how they can repay the community for their actions (3hrs/mo).
- Merchant Accountability Board Member: Interview teens who have committed shoplifting offenses and determine how they can repay the community for their actions (3hrs/mo).
- Diversion Agreement Monitor: Update files regarding clients’ compliance with diversion contracts (2hrs/week).
- Lunch Buddy: visiting on a regular schedule with children on their lunch hour or during extra curricular activities with the youth.
- MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Covenant House
Work with the homeless and/or runaway youth, as you live at the covenant house for a year. Room and board are covered, and a small stipend will be provided.
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G.A.T.E.S. (Greater Alternatives to Education for Students) High School
- Classroom assistant: help students with work
- Gates Childcare: Caring for infants of Gates Students
Generation YW Volunteer Mentor
Girls who grow up in the presence of strong, positive role models are more likely to develop a sense of purpose and power in their lives. Many girls in our community lack that influential presence. The YWCA’s Generation YW program pairs girls in juvenile detention with adult women mentors with the goal of reducing illegal activities and increasing positive decision-making through continuing support. The girls also attend classes that focus on healthy relationships and positive gender identity.
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Girl Scouts
Several opportunities:
- Girl Scouts Beyond Bars: work with girl who’s parents are incarcerated.
- Focus: a program for girls in foster care. Help with or lead your own troop.
Head Start
Work with four year olds of low-income families to keep them up to pace before they even begin kindergarten. This program is within walking distance from PLU.
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James Sales Elementary
Volunteer in the classroom or as a tutor with the Franklin Pierce School District at James Sales Elementary (within walking distance from PLU).
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Keithley Middle School
Within walking distance from PLU. Be part of the program, Role Models Unlimited, as you inspire youth to live their best life and be a good role model for them. Also help with their ASB program, volunteer in the classroom, or become an after school tutor.
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Late Nite
Late Nite is open to all youth grades 9th-12th from 9:30 pm until Midnight every Friday night. Teens have the opportunity to play basketball, use cardio and weight machines and play X-Box or Wii. Volunteers are asked to commit to once or twice a month to supplement our normal Late Nite staff.Lincoln High School
Volunteers are needed at Lincoln High School to assist in the science classrooms. You can volunteer any day of the week from 11:10-12:05pm. Great opportunity for education or science students! Also, a tutor is needed at Lincoln High School four hours a week in areas of Algebra/Geometry, U.S. History, World Cultures, Language Arts, Plant Sciences, or Biology. Intermediate or higher speaking proficiency in Spanish desired. Great for Spanish or Education majors!
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Lions Club
Start a new Campus Lions group and volunteer in shelters and mentor young children, and access to leadership training.
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Mentoring Program
School-based mentoring programs are being set up at McIlvaigh Middle School and Gault Middle School through Northwest Leadership Foundation, a faith-based organization in Tacoma. They are looking for mentors and are hoping to find some interested volunteers at PLU.
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Teen Center
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World Vision Mentoring/Tutoring Program
Volunteer for World Vision's mentoring and tutoring program at Portland Avenue Community Center. Program serves K-12th graders and meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3-5pm. Males are especially needed as mentors! Great for Education, Psychology, Math, and Business Majors.
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