Tulane University For The Children Literacy & Tutoring Program

Founded in 1994 and now operating within Tulane University’s Center for Public Service, For The Children (FTC) is an in-school tutoring program that provides reading buddies, tutors, and classroom assistants at two New Orleans underperforming public schools. The program currently oversees approximately 150 community volunteers and Tulane students, who provide significant assistance to more than 800 children each semester. Every week, FTC volunteers work with students for an average of 300 hours in fully supervised and supplied FTC reading rooms at each school.

The program runs each academic year during the regular school day from September through April at two Uptown New Orleans public schools. The reading rooms are staffed at all times to ensure the program runs smoothly and to provide adequate supervision and support for school students, volunteers, and Tulane students. For The Children reading rooms include shelves filled with books, magazines and other reading material that help target student’s specific needs. Desks and tables provide a pleasant workspace while sofas are available for children to sit comfortably beside their reading buddies for enjoyable reading sessions.