Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- An army of "teachers" in Utah is helping grade-school children read better. These "teachers" are still students themselves and are participating in a growing movement called Latinos in Action.
Twice a week, students at Mountain View High School board a bus, not for a dance or sporting event, but to go to a nearby elementary school where they help tutor young Latino students.
95% of seniors involved with 'Latinos In Action' graduate on time. 85% enroll in colleges or universities.
The teens spend time reading one-on-one with kids who need it most.
"Reading is very important when kids are behind, for whatever reason, in reading," says Geneva Elementary School Principal Michael Parks. "If they don't get caught up, their future is not as good as it could be if they don't have those reading skills down."
These volunteer tutors understand they're helping kids set and reach higher standards.
"Instead of them working at a low-wage job, I'd rather them be a CEO of a company," says Cindy Nunez, who is a member of Latinos in Action.
- 415 students across the state provided services for an estimated 38 elementary schools in Utah
- 41,500 total service hours. Each students provides approximately 100 hours of service
- 1,245 students assisted by LIA role-models
Reading skills are part of it, but educators say the tutors also become neighborhood role models for young Latinos.
"A lot of our Latino youth, they are in a loss of identity: Who am I? What role do I play in this community?" says Jose Enriquez, director of Latinos in Action.
"As time goes on, and you realize they look up to you, it's amazing. I can't explain it," says Latinos in Action member Jose Sandoval.
The elementary students aren't the only beneficiaries. Latinos in Action get a chance to develop leadership and use their language skills.
"We are allowing everybody to see what talents they have by utilizing their bilingualism," Enriquez says.
Eighteen Utah high schools have the Latinos in Action program, and organizers hope it will continue to grow, especially in Salt Lake City.
E-mail: dwimmer@ksl.com
