Canal Alliance, University Prep (UP!) Program

Download Volunteer Details

Contact Person:
Ivonne Molina – Engagement and Stewardship Manager

Email:
ivonnem@canalalliance.org

Phone:
415-454-2640

Canal Alliance exists to break the generational cycle of poverty for Latino immigrants and their families by lifting barriers to their success.

University Prep eliminates barriers to higher education and promotes equity in support of long-term career opportunity for first-generation Latinx students through structured academic and holistic support programming

Mission Statement:

Describe the Tutoring or Mentoring Opportunity

UP! High School Homework Tutor – we are looking for tutors to help our high schoolers in Math, Science, English, and History. Math and Science is the greater need.

  • Volunteers need to commit to a two-hour shift at least once a week (Mon – Thurs) from 4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. for at least one semester

Where does the interaction take place?

The UP! High School Program is located at 711 Grand Ave, San Rafael (Bay Building)

Volunteer Parameters

1. Are there any special requirements regarding age, health, mobility of volunteers? 
Volunteer Tutors need to be 18 years old or older.

a. Fingerprints: Yes 

b. Interview: Yes, a phone interview with Ivonne 

c. Other: One hour in-person orientation before tutoring students.

2. Does your vetting of volunteers include: 

3. Do your volunteers need to be bilingual? How helpful would it be if they were? 
No, they don’t need to be.

4. Is the volunteer opportunity episodic or continuous?
Continuous – for the school year. We would love to have returning volunteers each school year. Volunteers need to commit to at least one semester.

5. What is the time commitment?
At least once a week for a two-hour shift, from 4:45-6:45 p.m.

6. When does the opportunity begin and when does it end, i.e. is it tied to the academic school calendar?
Starts ASAP, hopefully volunteers can stay the whole school year.

7. Do you provide training for your volunteers?
Yes, a one-hour orientation before volunteers work with students, and close supervision/check-ins with the Supervisor of Academic Success, Amy Carlson. 

8. Do you utilize teen volunteers? Would you if they were available?
No, our program doesn’t use teen volunteers.

How many volunteers does your organization currently utilize? 

We have 2-3 community volunteers right now in the UP! program. We have a partnership with Dominican University, and we have anywhere from 5-10 college service learners volunteering with the High School UP! program each semester.

How many more would you need to have full capacity? 

We are hoping to have 8 dedicated community volunteers this school year (not including the Dominican Service Learners)

What would you like potential volunteers to know in addition to the above? 

Responsibilities

  • Provide homework support to individuals or small groups of students

  • Facilitate academic skills workshops as needed

  • Communicate regularly with the program supervisor about any academic or socio-emotional issues

  • Provide a nurturing, supportive, and positive learning environment with high expectations

  • Sign in and out daily, and wear a name badge when on site

Skills

  • Ability to build strong, respectful, and culturally responsive relationships with diverse students

  • Awareness of systemic barriers faced by immigrant and first-generation students

  • Strong content knowledge in your identified subject(s): Math, Science, or English. Math tutors must pass an assessment to tutor Math

  • Ability to communicate effetively with students, volunteers and staff