📖 What Is Wise Readers to Leaders?
Wise Readers to Leaders is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 as an outreach program through Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles. What began as a small initiative serving 50 students has grown into a program that reaches nearly 450 scholars each year across multiple campuses throughout LA.
Volunteers work one-on-one with students on both reading and math, helping build the foundational skills students need to succeed academically. Beyond tutoring, the organization runs a teen leadership program that brings together young people across Los Angeles for cross-cultural experiences, community service, and hands-on mentorship. The goal is to develop confident, empathetic leaders who are deeply committed to equity in education — not just stronger students, but better people.
👥 Who Is It For?
Patient Mentors
Volunteers who enjoy working with young kids and are comfortable taking things slow and steady.
Reading & Math Lovers
If you enjoy books, storytelling, or math and want to share that passion with a younger student, this is a great fit.
Future Educators
Great for anyone interested in teaching, child development, social work, or education as a career path.
People Who Care
Volunteers who can show up reliably each week and build a real ongoing relationship with their student.
⚖️ Opportunities & Considerations
✅ Opportunities
- Directly impact a child's foundational reading and math skills
- Structured curriculum provided — you always know what to do in each session
- Receive volunteer training before you begin, so no prior tutoring experience needed
- Build a long-term relationship with the same student week after week
- Contribute to closing the literacy and math gap in underserved communities
Considerations
- Focused on reading and math — not ideal if you're looking to tutor science, history, or other subjects
- Requires a consistent weekly commitment — missing sessions can disrupt a student's progress
- Progress is slow and gradual — don't expect overnight improvements
- Training onboarding process takes some time before your first session
- Not ideal if you're looking to tutor high school-level academic content
🚀 How to Get Started
Visit the Wise Readers to Leaders website
Go to wisereaders.org and navigate to the volunteer section. Review the program overview and eligibility requirements.
Submit a volunteer application
Fill out the online application form. You'll be asked about your schedule, your interest in literacy, and which days/times you're available for weekly sessions.
Complete volunteer training
Before your first session, you'll go through a short orientation covering how to run reading sessions, how to engage young readers, and what the curriculum looks like.
Get matched with a student
The program will pair you with a young reader based on your availability and their needs. You'll be introduced and begin regular weekly sessions.
Begin weekly reading sessions
Meet with your student once a week via video call, following the structured reading curriculum. Sessions are typically 30–45 minutes and guided by provided materials.
💬 What Volunteers Are Saying
Reviews sourced from Indeed.
Lots of work, good people
"The people are great with very supportive training sessions. You really form a connection with your students and it's hard to say goodbye at the end. The experience can vary depending on the site and team you work with."
Great job
"Loved my job. Really enjoyed the staff. No cons at all."
Wonderful Experience
"Exciting, fulfilling, great work environment. Demanding physically and emotionally, yet incredibly rewarding."
Assistant site coordinator
"Pretty good experience working with kids. No real cons — great time, great experience."
It was good experience
"I was able to grow some of my people skills."
Review
"Best working space, remote, easy to apply. I would like to work with more students in one sitting."
Great Experience
"Flexible and was able to go at our own pace. No cons I can think of."
Good place to volunteer
"I get to tutor students! No good way to write math."