Syracuse University students, faculty and staff have long been the largest source of volunteers for Book Buddies, an in-person tutoring program run by the United Way of Central New York in partnership with the Syracuse City School District. The program pairs community members one-on-one with students in kindergarten through third grade at six elementary schools near campus to work on foundational reading skills, and organizers are looking for more volunteers ahead of the program’s Sept. 28 start. 

Last year, 624 children participated in Book Buddies. 96% moved up at least one phonics skill level, and the average student gained 2.3 skill levels. Teachers and parents who were surveyed at the end of the year most often cited gains in confidence.  

“It helped her build more confidence in knowing words,” one parent wrote. Another wrote: “Book Buddies has been a blessing.” 

The commitment is small and flexible. Volunteers come one day a week for the school year and work with the same students each time so the relationship can grow. Most spend about an hour meeting two students for 30 minutes each, though half-hour slots with a single student are also available. Sessions run Monday through Thursday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., working around student lunch. 

No teaching or tutoring experience is required. Book Buddies provides volunteers with learning materials and books matched to their student’s reading level. Volunteers read with their student, help them practice sounding out and spelling words, and talk about what they’ve read. Program staff are on site every day to coach volunteers and adjust based on student progress and volunteer feedback. 

The participating schools are Seymour Dual Language Academy, Roberts PreK-8, Dr. Weeks Elementary, STEAM @ Dr. King, Delaware Primary and McKinley-Brighton. 

Nearly three in four of last year’s volunteers had served as Book Buddies for two years or longer, and 97% reported being satisfied with the experience. 

“Even on those days when I have a million emails to reply to, meetings to schedule, or projects to finish and I question if I have too much on my plate, when I see the smile on my Buddy’s face when they read a new word for the first time or finally nail writing the ‘J’ or the ‘S’ in their name facing the right direction, I know that all those other things can wait one more hour because there is nothing more important than those moments,” says Jenny Dombroske, executive director of community engagement for the University. “Those are the moments that really give you perspective and fill your heart with so much joy. That hour with my Buddy is always worth the time.” 

New volunteers complete a background check and training session, then choose a school and time that fit their schedule. The 2026-2027 program begins Monday, Sept. 28. To get started, contact Laurie Black, community education director at the United Way of Central New York, at bookbuddies@unitedway-cny.org or 315-428-3941. Learn more at CNYbookbuddies.org.