New tutoring effort boosts students’ reading and math skills in Stanislaus County

As the largest and most dynamic state, California is a national leader that sets the path forward for others. And in so many areas — fighting climate change, protecting immigrant families, and growing a dynamic economy — we lead the way.

Now, thanks to Governor Newsom’s vision, there is another area where California will lead the nation — service. As a former Navy officer who deployed to Fukushima to help with recovery efforts following the tsunami and nuclear disaster, I know firsthand the power of ordinary people coming together to get things done. To solve pressing challenges we face — homelessness, poverty, access to healthcare — we can’t just sit back and wait for someone else to fix them. We must unleash the greatest resource we have: the 40 million people who call California home.

Governor Newsom and the organization I lead, California Volunteers, is breaking new ground in civic engagement. This year, California became the first state to expand the educational award offered to AmeriCorps members, letting participants earn up to $10,000 to attend college. And, we recently unveiled an unprecedented $13.1 million state investment in health and education service programs in the Central Valley, to tackle some of the toughest challenges our inland communities face. Governor Newsom is saying loud and clear: California is leading the way in solving our most pressing challenges, and empowering communities to make a difference.

In fact, right here in Stanislaus County, we are launching California Reading and Math Corps Central Valley. Trained AmeriCorps members will be placed in elementary and middle schools throughout the community to serve as literacy and math tutors. Tutors will work with students one-on-one and in small groups daily, providing literacy and math interventions that are tailored to each learner’s needs.

These new structured service programs are a powerful first step toward harnessing the power of Californians. But service is so much more than formal programs. It’s volunteering on weekends at your local food bank, donating to a local homeless shelter, or choosing a job in public health. That’s why we’re calling on all Californians to commit to serve.

Right here in Stanislaus County, Love Our Neighbors is doing an amazing job connecting people to opportunities to make a difference, and they need you. Visit loveourneighbors.org or call 209-566-9343 and start making a difference today. California needs you.

This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 10:51 AM.