A Dallas non-profit is in need of volunteer tutors to read to school children who are falling behind in the classroom.
Reading Partners North Texas is "dedicated to unlocking the skills of students who struggle with reading," according to its website.
"We provide one-on-one reading instruction to elementary school students reading below grade level to help them succeed in school and in life," the agency notes on its site.
There is currently a waiting list of more than 300 kids who want to be matched up with a tutor at the 24 schools Reading Partners serves across the region.
The Reading Partners program needs about 1,500 volunteer tutors to assist all of the children who need the help. As of the beginning of the spring semester, the agency is about 500 volunteers short and they need to make up the difference within two weeks' time.
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"It's a huge challenge," Reading Partners North Texas Executive Director Kaitlin Guthrow said.
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Volunteer tutors typically devote one hour per week to read with a student. Guthrow told NBC 5 that the work of the tutors — mostly professionals who work full-time jobs in the community — is saving these students' futures.
"It's a huge deal," she said. "If a child is not reading proficiently by the end of third grade, they are four times more likely to drop out of school."
Cristal Mendez, who works full-time for the Interfaith Housing Coalition, started volunteering this school year.
"I looked at different volunteering opportunities and this kind of spoke to me," Mendez said.
On Thursday, she read with Santiago, a student at Uplift Heights Primary Preparatory in West Dallas. She said she was Santiago's age when her family immigrated to the United States from Mexico, so she understands the struggle of learning to read.
"Reading was such an important thing when I was growing up," she said. "And I just want to show that to other children."
In order to qualify to be a Reading Partners volunteer, you must be at least 14 years old and pass a background check.To volunteer, sign up at the Reading Partners website.
