The ability to read opens a lot of doors and creates tremendous opportunities for everyone. With Vello, that world is becoming a reality for many students thanks to volunteers and their generous employers.

Open Possibilities with Vello

In Arizona, as well as several other states, students have to be reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade to move on with their education. To give students more one-on-one time to improve their reading skills and reduce the number of children held back each year, Valley of the Sun United Way created Vello, an online tutoring program.

Through partnerships Vello provides all the materials and equipment to run the program, including an e-library for the whole class to use, so teachers can help their students and monitor their progress. Several teachers across the Valley have enjoyed having Vello as part of their classroom experience during this pilot year thanks to the Vello sponsors:

If your company is listed above, ask a manager how you can become part of the Vello volunteer team.

We Need Passionate Professionals

The program offers a way for passionate professionals to connect with students in the classroom, volunteering from wherever they are, as long as they have a computer and an internet connection. In quick 30-minute sessions, students read an age-appropriate book as volunteers help with pronunciation and ask them questions to make sure they are getting a better understanding of the story.

These children need you because having a caring adult to help them makes them feel more confident and provides the one-on-one attention that improves their reading!

Ask your company about becoming an approved partner to begin volunteering today. Click the button below to visit Vello or contact Reid at reid@vsuw.org for more information.