Volunteer With Us

We depend on our literacy volunteers. Come meet inspiring adults with diverse experiences and make a difference their lives.

Volunteer

About Volunteering

Help Change Lives Through Literacy

Our learners are waiting for you! You don’t need prior teaching experience, only your enthusiasm, patience, and compassion.

As a Beyond Literacy (BeLit) volunteer, you can expect to:

  • Attend a volunteer orientation session
  • Volunteer 3-hrs per week
  • Receive full support from a staff member assigned to you
  • Have opportunities for coaching and additional training
  • Have your choice of in-person or remote volunteer opportunities
  • Receive recognition and invitations to our special events throughout the year
  • Make a difference in someone’s life!

 

View our calendar to find an upcoming orientation session!

 

Current Volunteer Openings

English Language Partner

Description

Help our intermediate to advanced English language learners practice conversation skills. Training is provided along with prompts and tip sheet.

Time Commitment

Minimum Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per month. In-person or Virtual

Training Requirement 

No training required. Materials and support provided by Beyond Literacy.

 

Other Volunteer Opportunities

 

The following are vital volunteer roles that we recruit for throughout the year, but don’t have an immediate need for at the moment. By filling out the interest form, you’ll be among the first to know when opportunities open. We appreciate your desire to contribute and are committed to finding the right fit for you to make a meaningful impact.

Class Aide

Description

Assist students in your preferred subject area and support their teacher by running breakout sessions or offering individual student enrichment as needed. Prior teaching experience not required.

Time Commitment

Class Aides commit to volunteering in the same 3-hour class at a set time each week. Virtual (day or evening) or in-person (day).

Training Requirement 

Before starting to volunteer, potential class aides will complete an interest form, a phone screening, and orientation. 

Other Requirements

BeLit will assist all Class Aides with receiving background clearances prior to beginning.

Professional Development Mentor

Description

Work one-to-one with an adult student to review or update their resume, practice job interview skills, or discuss local industries, workplace skills and culture.

Time Commitment

Minimum Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per month. In-person or Virtual

Training Requirement 

Materials and support provided by Beyond Literacy. 

Student Support Workshop Presenter 

Description

Facilitate power skill workshops to support our adult learners. Facilitators often have industry-specific experience and must be comfortable working with adults returning from incarceration, immigrant populations, and those with diagnosed mental or physical disabilities.

Time Commitment

Minimum Time Commitment: 1 half day session annually. In-person or Virtual.

Training Requirement
Volunteers will receive background information and tips for success prior to the session. 

Adult Learning Tutor

Description

Tutor an individual or small group of adults who are learning basic literacy skills and language skills. Training, materials and lesson planning support are provided.

Time Commitment

Minimum Time Commitment: 3 hours per week. In-person preferred, not required.

Training Requirement 

Before starting to volunteer, tutors will complete an interest form, a phone screening, and training (approximately 3-5 hours), followed by online training modules on tutoring students for Adult Basic Education (reading, writing, math) or English language skills.

Other Requirements

BeLit will assist all Volunteer Tutors with receiving background clearances prior to beginning. 

Stories of the Semiquincentennial Volunteer

Description

Help our learners to develop the confidence and skills to tell their stories in written and visual art forms to be published in a book and presented at an exhibition, commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the US. Training is provided along with prompts.

Time Commitment

Minimum Time Commitment: 2+ hours per month. In-person or Virtual.

Training Requirement 

No training required, though experience in writing, copyediting, or visual arts (e.g. film, photography, painting) preferred. Support provided by Beyond Literacy.

Volunteer as a Member of YFAB!

BeLit’s Young Friends Advisory Board is comprised of literacy allies who share a passion for uplifting their fellow Philadelphians with the transformative power of education. Through volunteerism and community engagement, YFAB makes meaningful connections and change for striving adults citywide.

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