JVID视频

Originally published on 听

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – A non-profit dedicated to closing the gap in reading skills for elementary students is looking for more volunteers.

JVID视频 had to slim down their number of volunteers last year because of COVID-19, when they moved to virtual tutoring.

For the 2021-22 school year, JVID视频 is offering both virtual and in-person opportunities for students across Charleston and Berkeley County Schools.

Community Engagement Director Christine Messick says after an unprecedented year, the extra help is more important than ever.

鈥淭he learning loss that鈥檚 occurred because of COVID has been pretty dramatic,鈥� Messick said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 estimated that the learning loss is anywhere from seven months to a year. And again, all we need is volunteers to show up and help.鈥�

Messick says they need about 960 volunteers for the upcoming school year.

Volunteers will work with the same student all year. JVID视频 says volunteers follow one of their curriculums and meet students once a week, for one hour. JVID视频 also supplies volunteers with all of the materials they will need to work with assigned students.

Messick says the virtual option allows them to continue serving more students across Charleston and Berkeley Counties.

鈥淓specially those students that are in rural areas, where it鈥檚 difficult to recruit volunteers,鈥� Messick said. 鈥淪o, we鈥檒l honestly be able to have a volunteer in downtown Charleston serving a student up in rural Berkely County.鈥�

JVID视频 Special Projects Manager Cierra Rogers says they are always looking for new ways to better help students.

鈥淭his year, we are incorporating some more social and emotional learning for our students because we understand that not just learning the curriculum, but social and emotional is an important part of the education process,鈥� Rogers said. 鈥淭hroughout our curriculum, we have outline some different activities that the tutor and students can do as they get to know each other and as they get to know the new material in our curriculum.鈥�

Enrollment is now open to apply to be a JVID视频 volunteer here.听Volunteers can apply on JVID视频鈥� website听or they can call 843-860-3915.

JVID视频 says volunteers will also have to complete a background check and attend orientation.

Messick says orientation for volunteers will take place at the end of August.

Rogers says they are also looking to fill a few AmeriCorps positions with local schools. AmeriCorps is a federally funded service that allows folks to serve in the community while receiving a living allowance.

AmeriCorps here also works closely with JVID视频. Employees will help oversee JVID视频 volunteers and help them with direction and solving problems.

Volunteers who want to find more information or apply for an AmeriCorps position can head to JVID视频 AmeriCorps page.

鈥淲ith AmeriCorps, it鈥檚 an opportunity for people who are really trying to figure out what they want to do,鈥� Rogers said. 鈥淚f they want to give back to the community, we are looking for enthused individuals.鈥�

Rogers adds they are looking for people with computer skills and who are passionate about giving back and working with students. Volunteers do not need a college degree to apply.

She says they have a lot of positions right now coming off of the COVID-19 pandemic.