Step Up Tutoring
Virtually tutor students in math or reading
Join New York Cares as we partner with Step Up Tutoring to provide free, virtual high-impact tutoring and mentorship to 2nd-6th grade students in under-resourced communities in NYC.

About this program
New York Cares is recruiting committed volunteers to virtually tutor 2nd to 6th grade students in math and English as part of a program with Step Up Tutoring. Step Up Tutoring is a nonprofit organization that trains mission-driven tutors to work with students one-on-one virtually, pairing adaptive learning technology with individualized support to drive academic gains, boost habits of success, and foster positive relationships.
The format of this program is unique to the New York Cares model, as volunteer sessions will be held individually and predetermined between you and your matched family based on schedules and availability.
You can expect to:
- Tutor a student (2nd-6th grade) in an under-resourced community in NYC.
- Receive curriculum and tools to guide your tutoring sessions.
- Math tutors use EEDI, a standards-aligned and adaptive personalized learning math curriculum.
- Reading tutors use the ReadWorks curriculum and have access to an extensive library of grade-level aligned fiction and non-fiction texts.
- Be matched with a student and devote two 45-minute sessions weekly (for either a single semester or the entire school year) from home in the afternoons or evenings, at a schedule selected by you (the tutor) and the parent/guardian.
- Create a fun & supportive environment to build confidence, SEL skills, and positive relationships.
You will need:
- To be able to commit to two 45-minute virtual sessions per week for either a single semester or the entire school year.
- A computer (not a tablet) with functioning video capabilities and cell phone with text capabilities. All communication with families will be via text.
How to volunteer:
- Start by expressing interest in the program by entering your name and email into the form to the right.
- Once submitted, your name and email will be shared with our partner Step Up Tutoring.
- With our partner, Step Up volunteers will:
- Complete an application
- Go through a screen process which includes a brief interview and background check
- Complete an online training and attend one live training session
- Be matched to a family
- At the end of the committed program, New York Cares will retroactively enter credit for all hours served through the tutoring program.
- Volunteers will share feedback via a survey at the conclusion of the program.