You Can Be the Difference
Our Vision: To Help Eradicate the Illiteracy Epidemic in NYC!
Every Child Deserves the Chance to Read and Succeed.
In Staten Island’s public and charter schools, many children in grades K–2 are struggling to read at grade level. Urban Hope is working to change that—one child, once a week, for one hour.
Through our Literacy Program, running from January to June, we recruit and train volunteers to serve as mentors and reading tutors in the classrooms that need it most.
Make a One-on-One Impact
Build Community Connections
Earn Service or Internship Credit
Help Change a Life Through Literacy
Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow
Brighter Minds.Stronger Futures
Urban Hope is equipping the next generation—one child, one hour, one volunteer at a time.
We serve Staten Island's youngest learners with one-on-one literacy support, building confidence, skills, and a path toward lifelong success.
Every week, volunteers sit with students during lunch or after school, helping with reading, phonics, and vocabulary using fun, hands-on materials.
No teaching background needed—just compassion and consistency.
1 Hour
Can Change a Child’s Week
1-on-1
Mentorship That Makes a Difference
No Experience
Just a Willing Heart
100% Provided
Training & Literacy Materials
*All Volunteers must follow current DOE Visitor Policy.
Volunteers must also go through a background check and be fingerprinted (there is no cost for this).
The Need for Literacy Tutoring and Mentoring: Volunteer Testimonials
Discover the impact of literacy tutoring through the voices of our dedicated volunteers.
Principal Louis
Principal Louis Bruschi
Anthony Wilson
Audrey Jackson
Terrance Van Excel
Urban Hope Literacy Collective
We find it unbearable that a child's fate could be decided in 2nd grade. The statistics are clear and tragic. If a child is not reading at grade level by 3rd grade, it is extremely difficult to escape the trajectory towards criminality and/or poverty. 85% of the juvenile offenders of our city are illiterate. Literacy mentoring from K-2nd grade can stop this downward spiral.
We choose to take a stand against
the illiteracy epidemic.
We Are Changing Lives
Our literacy program has helped over 300 students in five schools advance 2–3 reading levels, overcoming key literacy hurdles. With strong funding and your support, we can expand to more schools and help end low literacy on Staten Island’s North Shore and beyond.
But Only With Your Help Can We !
Urban Hope - Literacy Program Student Testimonies
● STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS
What Our Kids, Volunteers , And Teachers Saying
Through mentorship, literacy support, and caring relationships, we’re building brighter futures—one student, volunteer, and classroom at a time.
Jayne, P.S. 18
Josiah, 2nd Grade, P.S. 18
It's always fun! I learn something new every time I read with my volunteer.
Jayne
P.S. 18
My student looks forward to our time together and his reading level and comprehension have greatly improved. It's a joy for me to participate in helping enrich these children's lives.
Andrea, 2nd Grade,
P.S. 18
The Volunteers help me become a better reader. They make me sound out new words.
