STAIR in Alabama

Start The Adventure In Reading (STAIR) began as a mission of the Independent Presbyterian Church serving second-graders from Whatley and Avondale Elementary Schools in the Birmingham Alabama Public School System. STAIR, which began over 20 years ago at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Orleans , is a program designed to increase the reading, listening and comprehension skills of second-graders who are in need of one-on-one tutoring. The STAIR program at IPC began in October 2000 with 28 volunteers serving 12 students. In 2007-2008, with the help of over 100 volunteers, we served 47 students.

The success of the program depends on the number of volunteers who are willing to share a love of reading with a child. Tutors are needed from October through April on Mon, Tues, Wed, and Thurs afternoons from 3:30-5:00. Volunteers work with the same child every week. Most children have two tutors. We also need reliable substitutes.

Our current sites include:
The Independent Presbyterian Church serving Whatley, Gibson and Avondale Schools 45st Baptist Church serving Barrett School.  STAIR web site: www.stairbirmingham.org.