Dedicated to positively impact the lives of adults through improved literacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Read Muskegon?
Read Muskegon is a non-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting the lives of adults through improved literacy. Read Muskegon fills a need in the community by serving students who are either not yet ready for adult basic education, not a good fit for the adult education classroom setting, or need extra help to improve their skills. Read Muskegon is a volunteer organization.
2. What services does Read Muskegon provide?
Read Muskegon provides free one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing and other literacy skills and ongoing support for Learners.
For volunteer Tutors, Read Muskegon provides training and ongoing mentorship. There is an initial 1 hour orientation and then a 6 hour training prior to being matched with a Learner. Ongoing Tutor Workshops (1 1/2 hours) are required at least annually (and one in the first 6 months) at a minimum for continuing education. Tutors receive continuous support and times to share experiences with other tutors during the year through Tutor Roundtables. Read Muskegon provides starter materials and books. Tutors receive the Read Muskegon Tutor News monthly and have access to tutor resources through the website or via mail. Tutors may contact Read Muskegon staff at any time for assistance or resources.
3. Does it cost anything to be a Tutor for Read Muskegon?
Tutors provide their own transportation to the trainings and to meet weekly with the Learner. All meetings are arranged in public facilities. Tutors do not provide transportation to Learners.
4. How is Read Muskegon funded?
Read Muskegon is currently funded through individual and company donations, and through contributions from local service organizations. Read Muskegon has also received small grants to support its work. Read Muskegon welcomes donations from individuals, corporations and foundations. Please make checks payable to Read Muskegon. Send your contribution to Read Muskegon, PO Box 1312, Muskegon, MI 49443-1312. Read Muskegon is federally tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your contribution is tax deductible as allowed by law.
5. What types of Learners does Read Muskegon work with?
Read Muskegon works with adults age eighteen and older who are in need of literacy instruction. The range is from a non-reader to those who are just below a high school graduate literacy level. There are typically four levels of Learners that we work with:
- The Beginning Learner has little knowledge of letter/sound recognition. The learner may struggle sounding out three-letter words like “run” or “pot”. A tutor for this learner will be spending an extreme amount of time with activities involving phonemic awareness and phonics as well as sight word (examples: the, what, there, was) instruction. A Beginning Learner may need to meet with the tutor more than once a week in order to succeed.
- The Elementary Level Learner reads at a third or fourth grade reading level. This learner has the ability to read simple to multi-syllable words as well as many sight words. The Elementary Level Learner needs help with oral reading fluency (i.e. reading at a speaking pace) and vocabulary so comprehension will improve.
- The Middle Learner reads at a middle school reading level. This learner can read the newspaper and informational text, but struggles with comprehending them. Among other literacy activities, the tutor will need to provide comprehensions strategies.
- The Functionally Literate Learner reads at a high school reading level, but has a limited vocabulary. Among other literacy activities, this learner needs help in vocabulary and spelling skills and strategies.
6. What Learners tend to be the most successful with one-on-one tutoring?
Learners who have a high level of motivation to improve their reading skills in order to achieve a specific goal, such as reading to their children or getting a higher paying job tend to be most successful. Also Learners who are not dealing with significant personal issues are better able to focus on the lessons and thus be successful.
7. What is the process to get matched with a Learner?
Anyone interested in tutoring needs to attend a 1 hour Orientation meeting (see our How to Help pages for times and locations) or call 231-766-5040. An application is then completed and a criminal background check is done.
The next step is for the tutor to attend a Tutor Training. These trainings are face-to-face in a small group setting or held online. Once a tutor has completed the online training or the group training (6 hours), then he/she is able to be matched with a Learner.
We match Tutors and Learners based on gender preference, availability, and location. In most cases, a Tutor would be matched with a Learner within a week of completing his/her training, however it could take longer depending on preferences and finding a good match.
8. How much time do I tutor each week?
Tutors commit to spending 1 ½ hours per week with their Learner, plus ½ hour of preparation time. It is best to prepare several activities to use during the session. Your tutor manual will offer many different activities to choose from at a variety of Learner levels. You may also decide to use some materials that you find from other sources or that are specific to the Learner’s work, training program or goals.
In some cases the Tutor and Learner both agree to spend more time on lessons. Some Tutors work with more than one Learner for additional hours.
9. How long may I keep tutoring with Read Muskegon?
A Tutor initially commits to one year of volunteer service. Many of our Tutors continue for several years. If your Learner completes their goals before the end of the year, you may be assigned a new Learner.
10. Can I tutor more than one Learner?
Yes, Tutors may ask to be assigned to more than one Learner. However, most just spend more time with their current learner.
11. What can I do to get more information about Read Muskegon?
Call (231) 766-5040 or e-mail litcoordinator@readmuskegon.org.
Read Muskegon
PO Box 1312
Muskegon, MI 49443-1312
Phone: (231) 766-5040
E-mail: litcoordinator@readmuskegon.org
