A retired Washington, D.C. teacher, working one on one with a struggling reader, has doubled that child’s reading scores. A Massachusetts couple has donated 800 hours of volunteer support to a first grade class at the local elementary school over four years.  An Arizona businessman, finishing his first year as a volunteer tutor, says: “This is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

As the GLR Campaign works to improve reading proficiency among children from low-income families, we realize that we’re never going to reach our goal without support from volunteer tutors.

So for National Volunteer Week (April 6-12), we’re recognizing the work of these tutors across the country. We’ve created a Volunteer Tutor Recognition Page on our website featuring tutors and organizations submitted by GLR communities and others. (We’re accepting new entries on this online portal through the week.)

We’ll also be sharing their stories on our Facebook page and Twitter feed (look for hashtag  #glrtutor).

Not all the tutoring happens at school. A Rotary Club in coastal Georgia sends volunteers to read aloud to children at local childcare centers, Head Start programs and preK centers. In Waukegan, Illinois, the volunteers arrive at a low-income apartment complex to tutor children there once a week. And in West Virginia, children come to local libraries to read to therapy dogs, who are described as “calm, supportive, non-judgmental” reading friends.

Research supports the common sense notion that tutoring can make a difference for struggling readers. Several studies show that one-on-one sessions are the most effective, allowing tutors to tailor their approach and children to learn without distractions of a bustling classroom. Training for tutors is essential: Studies show greater gains for students when their tutors know the right techniques for improving reading. Structured programs also produce better results, the research show.

And the right mix of skills is important. Tutoring in the early grades isn’t just a matter of reading to children. Tutors can teach the alphabet, help students learn how to sound out words and let them practice reading out loud.

Put simply, volunteer tutors providing the extra hands and hearts to ensure more children from low-income families learn to read proficiently. Their work pays dividends in terms of stronger readers, higher graduation rates and brighter economic futures for our families and our communities.

Volunteer tutors provide the extra hands & hearts to get kids @readingby3rd. Read about their work http://bit.ly/PAUZgq #glrtutor #nvw2014