Youth Literacy

The Youth Literacy Program improves the academic achievement of children from low-income families who struggle with literacy skills. The project trains tutors who provide free, one-on-one instruction in reading, writing, and spelling. This program serves approximately 150 students per year.

“It almost brought us to tears to watch one student sitting on the edge of his seat, fully engrossed in the task at hand. It was like you could see the light bulbs going off in his head. You could almost read his thoughts, ‘I’m reading! I’m reading! I can do this!’” – Julie Thomas, former volunteer tutor

Youth Literacy tutors work with children from low-income families on their skills in reading, writing, and spelling. As a volunteer with our Youth Literacy program, you can expect to:

Tutor students either 1:1 or in small groups
Create tutoring sessions that last about 45 minutes
Meet with your student about twice per week
Work with your student throughout the entire academic year

We are currently recruiting volunteers and paid interns (see below) for our academic year tutoring program. Our volunteer and intern tutors can choose from the following options:

Work 1:1 with elementary-aged students on literacy skills at our partner after-school programs (YMCA at West Buncombe Elementary, the Christine Avery Learning Center, or Youth Transformed for Life at Grace Presbyterian Church). Tutors work with their students for about 45 minutes, two days a week, sometime between 3:30-5:30 (M-Th).
Work with middle school students during Community Nights for about an hour, sometime between 5-7, at either Enka Intermediate or AC Reynolds Middle School. Enka meets on Mondays, and Reynolds meets on Wednesdays. You’ll work with individual and small groups of students on any combination of homework help, reinforcing literacy skills, math support, executive functioning skills, etc.

Igniting Superhero Readers Summer Camp

In the summer of 2021, the Youth Literacy Program partnered with Youth Transformed for Life and the Christine W. Avery Learning Center to create the Igniting Superhero Readers Summer Camp, an eight-week program working with elementary-age students in the Asheville area. Igniting Superhero Readers Summer Camp emphasizes recruiting youth of color for paid internships to serve as tutors. Recent research documents that students of color taught by those who share their identities and cultural backgrounds benefit academically and emotionally (source: Teach for America, June 2019). The interns receive training in phonics-based instruction to work with the students daily to build literacy skills and a love for reading!

In addition, the Igniting Superhero Readers internship will continue throughout the school year, thanks to a grant from the City of Asheville. The interns will provide 1:1 reading tutoring to the children participating in the after-school programs at Youth Transformed for Life, Christine W. Avery Learning Center and YMCA after-school programs.

Apply to become an intern!

Instructional Tools

Youth Literacy tutors receive 16-20 hours of training in research-based reading instruction, which incorporates phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, spelling & written expression. The training is Orton-Gillingham based, emphasizing the importance of direct instruction, engaging all the senses in learning, and presenting information in a structured, sequential format targeting the student’s individual needs. Wilson Reading System® materials guide the lesson planning process.

Becoming a Volunteer Tutor

Should I be a tutor? What’s involved? Email volunteers@lit-together.org or call (828) 254-3442 x 204. Sign up online to come to an online volunteer orientation meeting.

Read these Youth Literacy success stories!

This video portrays two of our Youth Literacy students and their tutor. Enjoy it!