Why Volunteer

As a SDRT volunteer, you are a language tutor, a mentor, and a welcoming neighbor.

Our students have fled active war zones from around the globe and arrive in this country with little support in overburdened public schools. The children enrolled in SDRT, ages 4-18, arrive in a foreign country often with an inconsistent education, little-to-no English, and few means to connect with American culture. Our students are thrown into a grade level based on age and held to a standard reserved for their 30-other native English-speaking peers. Without meaningful, holistic support, what opportunities can one reasonably expect for these children under these circumstances? You can be that connection that helps a student succeed in this country.

“Every kid is ONE caring adult away from being a success story.”

Josh Shipp, Advocate for At-Risk Youth

First-time volunteers must attend a New Tutor Orientation session before being paired with a student. After the orientation, tutoring is held at Ibarra Elementary School on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00pm – 6:30pm. While no formal teaching experience is required, volunteers must be fluent in English and commit to at least one tutoring session per week throughout the school year. This is a 7-month commitment, which includes several holiday breaks following the school’s academic calendar.

Volunteer Registration

01. Attend Orientation

Select a date below to SIGN UP and attend ONE NEW TUTOR ORIENTATION session. This is required and will prepare you for your first tutoring session. Our next New Tutor Orientations are:

Tues, Aug 26

Thurs, Aug 28

Mon, Sept 15

Wed, Sept 17 

02. Register

TUTORS OF ALL AGES must create a Volunteer Account on our Volunteer Platform HERE. After creating your account, an automated email will be sent to you that tells you how to complete your registration process and an online background check. Volunteers ages 18+ will need to complete a background check to be approved to tutor.

Are you under 18 years of age?

We welcome you to volunteer with your parent or guardian who is 18 years of age or older. Please view our Minors’ Policy here.

03. RSVP

Once Steps 1 and 2 have been completed, you will receive an email with instructions for how to sign-up for Volunteer Shifts (i.e. tutoring sessions). You will be able to do this in your Volunteer Portal when logged into your Volunteer Account. 

Volunteer Portal
Details

Our IN-PERSON Tutoring Sessions are held at a school in the neighborhood of City Heights. ALL GRADES: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Tutor Testimonials

SDRT

“Thank you so much for SDRT and bringing Hamda into my life. Working with her is truly my greatest joy in life.” – Kelsey

"It's the highlight of my week! I love seeing the enthusiasm of the kids. I love being part of this community. It's like my second family.”

SDRT

“It has enlightened me to a world of cultures and people I normally would not be exposed to. I feel I learn more from the students sometimes than they do from me.”

Ready To Get Involved?