Healthy Cities Tutoring

Volunteer Now for the upcoming school year

the life you change Could be your own

Volunteering has well-documented benefits — improves mental and physical health, provides a sense of purpose, and helps nurture new and existing relationships — all of which lead to an overall sense of well-being and contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society. Becoming a volunteer tutor with HCT is a great way to experience these benefits, helping students and yourself!

We are actively recruiting volunteers for the 2024/25 school year! It’s easy to sign up and we work hard to find a student who matches your availability and interests.

Flexible schedule — sign up to volunteer for one hour per week. Times vary by school site; mostly on weekdays, 3pm – 6pm. Some weekend times are available.
Tutors of all ages are needed! We have a special program for teen tutors and provide additional training and mentoring so these valuable volunteers can learn important life skills while helping students.
Training and support provided. We provide one-on-one and group sessions where you can work with HCT staff to be the best volunteer tutor possible!

Thank You Friends of the San Carlos Library!

Amy Schwimmer, President of the Friends of the San Carlos Library and Linda Townsend, Arundel Librarian extraordinaire, attended the Healthy Cities Tutoring Volunteer Recognition Reception and graciously presented us with a generous $25,000 donation to help support the HCT program in the San Carlos elementary and middle schools in the next school year.

These funds will allow HCT to recruit, train and match many more volunteer tutors with struggling students to help foster academic growth, a love of learning, and self-esteem. Although most tutoring occurs after school at the school sites, 50 tutor-student pairs met weeklyat the San Carlos Public Library! We look forward to continuing this great partnership!

Did you know that the San Carlos Public Library has an amazing summer reading program? Kids of all ages can read and earn prizes! Click HERE to register and learn more about summer children’s events at the San Carlos Public Library.

Do you live in Redwood City? Click HERE to learn about the Redwood City Public Library’s Summer Learning Challenge and children’s events.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE ANNUAL VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION RECEPTION

Our annual Volunteer Recognition Reception is coming Thursday, May 30, 5pm – 7pm, at Mustang Hall in San Carlos. All are invited to attend and celebrate the amazing contributions of the HCT community of volunteers. Hear from distinguished guests about the community wide impact our program makes at public schools in Redwood City and San Carlos.

Watch your inbox for our emailed invitations coming soon.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

This year approximately 45 high school seniors were Healthy Cities Tutoring volunteers. We are truly proud of the contribution these teens made working with younger students. We congratulate their commitment to our community and wish them well as they graduate from high school and move on to new opportunities.

To show our appreciation for our graduating high school tutors who have significantly contributed to our program, each year we offer several scholarship awards. This year we will award up to eight $500 scholarships to students who meet the following criteria:

Volunteered for two or more years as a Healthy Cities tutor.
Will graduate from high school in spring 2024.
Plan to attend a 2-year or 4-year college or trade school.
Complete the application before May 13, 2024. (No essay required!)

We encourage all eligible high school senior to apply. (Link to application.) Scholarships will be awarded by lottery from all eligible applicants. Chances of receiving a scholarship increase with the number of years of tutoring.

If you have any questions, please send us an email.

**Thank You For a Perfect Perfect Pairings!**

What a night it was! Friends and supporters gathered to celebrate the incredible, positive impact that community volunteers make when they tutor through our program.

All were inspired by the stories shared by Mindy Shelton, Arroyo Upper Elementary School Principal and the tutor / student pair from her school who spoke about their experience working together the last few years.

As well, hearing from remarkable individuals like keynote speakers Deborah Kemper and Rafael Avendaño, about how the impact of tutors and mentors have been life-changing for them sparked a generous response to our Fund-A-Pair campaign and helped us reach our fundrasing goal for the evening.

Thank you to everyone who attended and celebrated in person with us; and to everyone else who donated from home, who bid on auction items or who supports our program and students with their volunteerism, we are so fortunate to count you as friends of the organization and grateful to you for your support.

Special thanks to our Perfect Pairings Sponsors:

Diamond Sponsor: Beth and Mike Hunkapiller

Magnum Sponsor: Baker Family Charitable Trust

Platinum Sponsors: Community Bank of the Bay, Prince St Partners

Gold Sponsor: Joyce and Jay Strauss

Table Sponsors: Judy & Michael Garb, Lauren Pachkowski, Irene & Pedro Ruiz, Joyce & Jay Strauss, Illuminate Consulting Group, Hannig Sail It Forward Foundation

Silver Sponsors: Cris & Todd Adair, Molly & Peter Nguyen, Saskia Teerink & Roger Bodomer, W.L. Butler, Sharon & Bob Ford Foundation

Bronze Sponsors: Debbie & Paul Denton, Catherine & Ronald Granville, Carol Rhodes & Dan Taylor, Jo & John Volkert
Wine Sponsors: Domenico Winery and Osteria, W.L. Butler, Jason Ting
Dessert Sponsors: Brian & Jean Cole, Cynthia Fernandez-Rios, Jason Ting

Become a tutor

A fun and rewarding way to give back to your community is to become a tutor. Some key points of our program: One hour a week – Flexible times – No previous experience needed – Ages 14-99 – Training provided – Earn community service hours. Click here for more information.

Donate

Make a difference in a child’s life and give! We are working everyday to ensure that every child on our wait list has the gift of a caring tutor. Please help a child succeed in school and in life by clicking the DONATE button to make your gift. Click here to donate.