Fresno READS tutors assist hundreds of children

By Veronica Zarco
Coordinator of Fresno READS

The Fresno READS (Reading Enrichment and Academic Development through Service) program is coordinated by Students for Community Service and has been on the Fresno State campus since 1997.

Thanks to a significant commitment from the university’s Financial Aid program, work-study students have dedicated approximately 100,000 hours tutoring hundreds of children in the Fresno area. Currently, 50 Fresno State students tutor children kindergarten through sixth grade at four collaborating sites: Vinland Elementary, Wolters Elementary, Stone Soup and the SMILE Center. 

The mission of Fresno READS is to raise the reading, math and academic abilities of elementary students in Fresno through one-on-one tutoring and mentoring. The Fresno READS program is a great resource for the elementary schools involved.

“Financially we can’t afford these types of tutorial services,“ stated Pauletta Williams, Vinland Elementary Resource Teacher. “Our API scores have improved as a result of the ongoing support of the Fresno READS program. This program provides the needed one-on-one instruction for many of our at-risk students.  This partnership is a valued asset for our school.”

With the primary focus on literacy development of the young children involved, the project also focuses on providing meaningful academic, personal and professional development experiences for the Fresno State students who provide the tutoring.

Take, for example, Mercedes Morales, a full-time undergraduate student who has been tutoring with Fresno READS for two years. She happily states that Fresno READS has been wonderful because before her experience with the program, Mercedes planned to teach at the high school or college level.  Now, because of her experience, she has decided to teach at the elementary level.

“In my case, Fresno READS has helped me with dealing with my patience and people skills,” she said. “I never thought I would be able to handle little kids, but now that I have had experience in the kindergarten and first grade level classrooms, I love it!” 

Many of the tutors, such as Mercedes, work with children who may not have any other academic support resources through the school or at home. The tutors become role models for the children and provide them with motivation and hope.

“It makes you feel good knowing that you have faith in and help a child who others have labeled as a failure,” she said. “Watching them get excited about learning is a nice and beautiful experience.  It changes not only their life but also your own.”

For more information about the Fresno READS program, call 8-7007 or e-mail vzarco@csufresno.edu.