STAIR in Florida - Edgewater

In In January 2002, our local United Methodist Women at Edgewater UMC began the STAIR tutoring program for second grade students from Liberty Elementary School in Port Charlotte, FL. The Stair Program pairs a child with a tutor for 2 hours, two days a week for 16 weeks (one 6 week session in the Fall and one 10 week session in the winter term). Each volunteer tutor has been trained to use a structured, proven curriculum of reading, writing and word games.

Arrangements have been made for the children to be transported from their school to Edgewater United Methodist Church each Tuesday and Thursday after school. When the children arrive after school, they are given a snack and then they play a group game. After the tutoring session is over for the day, the children are picked up by a parent or are transported to their homes or after school day care programs by church volunteers in church vans.

The STAIR library now has over 450 books appropriate for first and second grade students. These books have been donated by teachers, and church members. The church members also have donated snacks, stickers used for rewards, games and puzzles.

Volunteer tutors are United Methodist Women, church members (men and women), and volunteers from the community. Background checks are done on each volunteer working with the children as directed by church policies. Twelve to fifteen volunteers provide tutoring during each session. Other volunteers that support the program are a snack coordinator, snack servers and providers, substitute tutors and van drivers.

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