Empowering Children Bay Area (ECBA)
Contact:
Paul Chilvers
Email:
pchilvers@sequoialiving.org
Phone:
415-912-6025
ECBA recruiters trains and places older adults (50+) in elementary school classes to build relationships and foster literacy fluency.
Mission Statement:
Describe the Tutoring or Mentoring Opportunity
ECBA’s tutors work with 1st-3rd grade students in public elementary schools in the Bay Area. We match you with two children (or more if you have the time) and you build a relationship twice a week for thirty minutes with each child. This becomes the “carrot” that makes the child want to engage in our literacy fluency tutoring. We utilize an evidence-based model that focus on fun games that relax the child and helps get past any fear or embarrassment they may have in needing help. Tutors report high levels of satisfaction with the program, and more than 80% return for many years of service.
ECBA has many sittes across Marin, San Francisco, and even a few far flung ones in Redwood City and Sonoma’s Forestville.
San Pedro Elementary School
Laurel Dell Elementary School
Sun Valley Elementary School
Vallecito Elementary School
Venetia Valley School
Bahia Vista Elementary School
Coleman Elementary School
Hamilton School
Yick Wo Alternative Elementary School
Lawton Alternative School
Monroe Elementary School
Rosa Parks Elementary School
Loma Verde Elementary School
Glenwood Elementary School
Forestville Elementary School
Where does the interaction take place?
Volunteer Parameters
1. Are there any special requirements regarding age, health, mobility of volunteers?
Yes, we seek volunteers over 50 years of age with a high school degree. English language fluency is also very important.
a. Fingerprints: Yes (we reimburse)
b. TB Test: Yes
c. Background check: Yes (we perform it)
d. Interview: Yes
e. Onboarding: Training on our structured session. We do a three hour zoom training, and follow up practice with your point of contact.
2. Does your vetting of volunteers include:
3. Do your volunteers need to be bilingual? How helpful would it be if they were?
No. It would be somewhat helpful.
4. Is the volunteer opportunity episodic or continuous?
Continuous for the school year with summers og
5. What is the time commitment?
Twice a week for one hour each time as a minimum.
6. When does the opportunity begin and when does it end, i.e. is it tied to the academic school calendar?
We tutor from September through May. Many tutors are placed throughout the year. Yes it’s tied to the school calendar.
7. Do you provide training for your volunteers?
Yes, we train all our tutors personally.
8. Do you utilize teen volunteers? Would you if they were available?
We do not utilize teens at this time.
How many volunteers does your organization currently utilize?
Approximately 150
How many more would you need to have full capacity?
San Francisco and Redwood City need more tutors. Marin has a great word of mouth recruitment and we would have to discuss which site you wanted to join.
Would you increase your volunteer offerings programmatically if you had more volunteers?
More funding would be needed to help schools provide cost share, and for hiring more support stag.
What would you like potential volunteers to know in addition to the above?
Even if you can’t help out with your time, you can help us out financially (and see our cute new video) at Sequoialiving.org/kids