Enriching Lives through Music (ELM)

Mission Statement

ELM provides youth with an immersive music education and resources that inspire and empower them to pursue their dreams.

About Volunteer Opportunities

Describe the Tutoring or Mentoring Opportunity

ELM’s Reading Buddies program offers 1-1 reading to students in grades 3-5. Reading takes place once a week for 50 minute sessions.

ELM also has a need for volunteer math and science tutors.

Where does the interaction take place?

At the ELM oVice: 2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael

Volunteer Parameters

1. Are there any special requirements regarding age, health, mobility of volunteers? 
   Clear TB test. There are some stairs to climb to get to the ELM oVice.

2. Does your vetting of volunteers include: 

   a. Fingerprints: Yes
   b. TB Test: Yes 
   c. Background check: Yes
   d. Interview: Yes

3. Do your volunteers need to be bilingual? How helpful would it be if they were? 
   No that is not required. Bilingual in English and Spanish would be helpful for some newcomer students.

4. Is the volunteer opportunity episodic or continuous?
   It is once a week at schedule 50 minute sessions for the length of the school year, excluding school holidays

5. What is the time commitment?
   50 minutes a week

6. When does the opportunity begin and when does it end, i.e. is it tied to the academic school calendar?
   Yes, it runs alongside the academic calendar

7. Do you provide training for your volunteers?
   We provide a zoom meeting for all reading buddies with a reading expert once a semester. Ongoing support is also provided by the academic program coordinator.

8. Do you utilize teen volunteers? Would you if they were available?
   Yes, we accept high school students

How many volunteers does your organization currently utilize? 

Approximately 30 at the moment, though the program is expanding this year.

How many more would you need to have full capacity? 

It is hard to say at this stage. Maybe 10-15.

Would you increase your volunteer offerings programmatically if you had more volunteers?

Yes, we would offer more math tutoring and maybe science. We would like to add SAT support in the future.

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

ELM offers volunteers the opportunity to build supportive and meaningful relationships with students, and see them perform at the end of semester concerts.