Los Ayudantes

Los Ayudantes ("The Helpers" in Spanish) is a literacy, non-profit organization dedicated to helping Redwood City 6-8th grade students improve their literacy and critical thinking skills. We are the only local non-profit placing in-class volunteer tutors at middle schools in the Redwood City School District. Over 50% of students in the Redwood City... district are designated English language learners and 43% of Redwood City third grade students read one or two levels below their current grade. That figure rises to 65% for Latino students in the district and continues on into middle school. At the direction of teachers, we help students improve reading comprehension and knowledge and refine their writing skills. We read with them, ask questions in order to go deeper into the context, and then tie the subject matter to their lives if possible. But perhaps more importantly, we become trusted adults in the lives of the students we work with on a weekly basis. We provide thoughtful concern for the students and help them with their organizational skills and any other issues that may be on their minds. This is truly the most rewarding part of working with the students. Many teachers explain that they wish they had the time in the day to get to know the students as we are able to do.Read More