Where children build confidence, discover the joy of reading, and gain the support they need to thrive.
Each week, community volunteers meet with students at school, use prepared literacy materials, and help build reading skills through consistent support.
Your student doesn't need you to have an education background. They need your presence and consistency.
Volunteers come in during the regular school day, matched to a school that fits their schedule and location.
We'll match you with one or more students at a nearby school. From your very first meeting, you'll begin building a relationship centered on encouragement, support, and shared success.
Each student has an individualized folder with books, phonics activities, decoding exercises, and comprehension work matched to where they are in their reading journey. The structure is already there — you follow it. Sessions run approximately 1 hour. Celebrate student success and progress.
As the weeks pass, your student will come to recognize a familiar face who shows up for them. Those small moments of consistency can make a lasting difference, for both of you.
Students build trust when a volunteer returns week after week. This provides the encouragement and consistent literacy support to grow the students as readers.
A short form that matches you to the right school and student based on your location and availability.
Required for your school placement.
You learn the curriculum, the materials, and how to log sessions.
The best part is seeing the light bulb light up. There have been moments where my student was not confident in their reading, but the moment they realize they are reading and understanding without major help is awesome.AW
This experience has been beyond rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed this weekly opportunity to connect with and help my student.SP
Getting to build the relationship with my student. Knowing that I am a consistent and steady part of their week. Getting to show her that she is loved, valued, important, and cared about.BW
My favorite part about tutoring was I got to read with someone that helped me with my reading, when I got stuck on a word she helped me.
...there were books I couldn't read but now I can. It (CTI) also helped with my spelling.
I answer questions in class now. Before I did not feel comfortable answering questions.
We're in schools with students who look forward to seeing their community volunteer every week.
Community volunteers are supporting students in elementary schools throughout Central Ohio. Find a partner school near you.
When a child can read with confidence, it changes how they learn, connect, and see what is possible. But that kind of growth takes more than instruction; it takes a consistent adult and access to the resources that make learning possible.
Learn why we do this work →Every week you show up is a week that student get to feel seen, supported, and a little more confident in their reading.