Center for New Americans (CNA) provides educational and support services to adult immigrants, refugees, and migrants in the Pioneer Valley. CNA operates four sites: Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield and Turners Falls. The learners at CNA come from a variety of countries: Cape Verde, China, Congo, Mexico, Moldova, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam, to mention only a few. Their goals, interests and experiences are diverse.

Homework House promotes educational success through free, individualized tutoring and mentoring for children growing up in Holyoke’s most economically challenged neighborhoods.  They foster a culture of success for children in a safe, nurturing environment that builds on their inherent strengths and resilience.  They respect and engage children’s families, value education as a potent force that can lift people out of poverty, and create a diverse community of adults and children who work together to help each child realize the fullness of their potential.

ENGAGEMENT DETAILS:   Volunteers are needed on Monday-Friday from 3:30-5:30 pm to assist students enrolled in grades 2-7 with homework completion and improvement of reading/math skills.  An important focus is developing fun and rewarding relationships.  Volunteers attend training and orientation and commit to 1-2 afternoons per week over a minimum of 3 months.  Homework House has two locations in Holyoke:  54 North Summer Street and 340 Chestnut Street.

Based at UMass Amherst, The Partnership for Worker Education (WE) offers quality worker education to a wide range of frontline employees through the development of stakeholder partnerships. WE partners with employers and unions that address the changing workplace.

ENGAGEMENT DETAILS:  Volunteers assist in weekly Workplace English, Spanish and computer courses and tutor in these subjects, developing reciprocal learning relationships with university employees.  Classes are mostly held in South College on campus. For more information and to apply:  https://www.umass.edu/worker-ed/get-involved

VELA provides Amherst Regional Middle School (ARMS) students with additional learning and enrichment opportunities after school beyond what might otherwise be available to them. Vela means “up and rising” in Swahili.  By working with teachers, interns, community partners and other students in the classroom and beyond, VELA hopes students will (1) increase core competencies and comprehension in academic subjects, (2) engage in intellectually stimulating and personally interesting projects and activities, (3) prevent loss of recently learned skills and knowledge, (4) feel a greater connection to ARMS and the local community, and (5) have fun while learning.

ENGAGEMENT DETAILS:  VELA seeks volunteers who are outgoing, open-minded, and in-tune with culture and diversity. Volunteers must commit to working with the program 1-2 times per week (M-Th) from 2:00-4:30 pm. From 2:20-3 pm, students work with teachers and VELA staff on homework.  From 3-4 pm, they participate in enrichment activities including Food, Farming & Fun, Song Writing & Recording, Art, and Basketball.  Bus from campus:  PVTA #35 or 34 to Chestnut St. stop and go down Chestnut St.