Vello offers students personalized tutoring sessions by a United Way volunteer with a focus on fostering relationships that nurture and celebrate students’ skills and progress. Designed to improve students’ reading skills and overall engagement in reading activities such as asking questions and making connections, Vello also offers improved lesson planning support for teachers.

The Program

Vello consists of 1:1 volunteer tutoring, Learning A-Z’s blended learning platform with over 50,000 digital literacy resources, and the Vello Portal for training and scheduling. Vello supports the entire classroom with an expansive e-library, teacher instructional materials, and close support from tutors for students who are at risk of being behind their peers in literacy skills. Our volunteers build transformational relationships and work as a team to ensure all students reach reading proficiency.

The Results

Students

• 78% looked forward to reading with their Vello volunteer
• 81% believed reading with a Vello volunteer made them feel a lot better about their reading
• 81% were more excited about school
• 89% became more excited about learning

Teachers

• 72% agreed or strongly agreed that class-wide engagement improved for all students
• 72% said it improved their lesson planning

Volunteers

• 82% responded that Vello helped them make a positive impact on a child’s life
• 89% were given an opportunity to volunteer that they wouldn’t have had otherwise
• 86% felt it was a very meaningful use of their time

Your Impact

You can take an active step toward supporting the reading success of a child in your community. Get involved as a Vello volunteer, bring Vello to your workplace or school, or learn more about what Valley of the Sun United Way is doing to break the cycle of poverty in Maricopa County. You can start a volunteer team with just 15 people! Your team can be at your work place, in your social circle, or through any other social groups you may have. Let us know you are ready to read!

Start A Team