The Seattle Public Library provides homework help and learning activities for K-12 students throughout the school year. Volunteers support students with their homework assignments and with developing literacy, mathematics and social emotional learning skills.
The Homework Help Program supports diverse communities in Seattle. Volunteers and Library staff support BIPOC students to advance racial equity and close the education opportunity gap for students. Volunteers provide a supportive learning environment where students and their families feel welcome.
Homework Help is available for students in grades K-12. However, the program primarily serves elementary school students. Most of the students attend Seattle’s public schools and speak a language other than English at home.
We request a volunteer commitment for the entire school year (or at least six months). Undergraduate students who are enrolled in a service-learning course can be considered for a short-term volunteer assignment for at least one academic quarter.
Volunteers are scheduled to provide Homework Help once a week when Seattle’s public schools are in session. Those volunteers who have variable job and/or school schedules can be scheduled as substitute Homework Helpers at least twice a month.
Volunteer Application and Orientation Process
The Homework Help Program will be offered at the Columbia, Douglass-Truth, High Point, Lake City, NewHolly, Northgate, Rainier Beach and South Park branches until June 22, 2023.
Prospective Homework Helpers are invited to complete an online volunteer application. The Volunteer Services Coordinator will read applications and interview people who meet the Homework Helper qualifications.
After the interview, volunteer candidates will be asked to consent to a nationwide criminal background check and attend a virtual Homework Help volunteer orientation.
Please email anne.vedella@spl.org if you have questions.
