Learning Leaders helps New York City public school children succeed by training volunteers to provide tutoring and other school-based support, and by equipping parents to foster their own children’s educational development.

Description:
Learning Leaders was founded as the NYC School Volunteer Program in 1956 by twenty dedicated volunteers who helped teachers at P.S. 191 in Manhattan. Learning Leaders was the first program of its kind in the country and has served as a model program nationwide.

Learning Leaders now recruits, trains and supports 14,000 school volunteers who work with over 265,000 students — over one-fifth of the New York City public school population — in over 960 schools city-wide, devoting an average of 3.8 hours per week. Learning Leaders is the largest such program in the country and a valued partner of the New York City Department of Education.

Trained, screened volunteers offer tutoring in reading, writing, ESL, math and more. They help older students prepare for Regents and other examinations, and assist with college and financial aid planning. Special Program volunteers enrich school curriculum with arts education and literature instruction. Teachers, parents, and volunteers continually tell us that students benefit from individualized attention and focused care from an adult who becomes a consistent presence in their life, and the efforts of the volunteers serve to build stronger educational and cultural bridges between children’s homes, communities, and schools.

History:
Founded in 1956 as the New York City School Volunteer Program, Learning Leaders was the first program of its kind in the country and served as a model for developing school volunteer programs in other major cities. Learning Leaders has grown to become the largest school volunteer and parent engagement program in the city and a valued partner of the New York City Department of Education.

Learning Leaders was incorporated as a independent not-for-profit organization in 1970. The Learning Leaders budget is $4.7 million for 2007-08. As a private, not-for-profit organization, Learning Leaders raises 85% of its funds from foundations, corporations and individuals. Additional support is provided by the New York City Department of Education and the New York City Council.

Contact person: Heather Whyte, Manager, Recruitment & Marketing, (212) 213-3370 ext 337, (email)
Office fax number: (212) 213-0787

Address:

80 Maiden Lane New York, NY 10038 (See a map)

Directions:

Take the 2,3,4,or 5 subway line to Wall Street or Fulton Street. Take the A or C subway line to Broadway Nassau Take the J or Z subway line to Broad Street/Wall Street Take the N or R subway line to Rector Street Take the M 15 Bus To Water St. & Maiden Lane Take the M 1 to Church Street & Rector   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 2, 3,4,5, A, C, J, Z, R, N,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: M15, M1, 5 minutes minute walk

Overall Experience   
It a blessing to Volunteer. I love it

I am a Learning Leader Volunteer for P.S. 22 in Brooklyn, New York. I am so encourage by working with the early childhood classes. (Pre-K & Kindergarten. Being out of school sense 1993 this organization has allow me to desire to go back to college. I never finish school and now want to go back. posted by lmonde on September 20, 2007

Overall Experience   
Very beneficial and I learned so much.

posted on June 13, 2005