ACHIEVE celebrated its 10th Anniversary on May 2, 2007! Details

ACHIEVE's Partners

Over the years, ACHIEVE has engaged in partnerships with a number of local organizations – the Adult School of South Orange and Maplewood, the South Mountain YMCA, the After School Program of Maplewood and South Orange to name a few.

ACHIEVE has spawned specialized tutoring initiatives, including an S.A.T. preparation course for low-scoring students, “A Pebble in the Pond,” a training film and workshop for parents and tutors of children who are learning to read, “Success by Six” and “Summer Stars,” support programs for young, at-risk children, and a homework club. SOMEF has received funding for these ACHIEVE projects from the Starbucks Foundation, the PNC Bank Foundation, the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills, the Orange Orphan Society, the Sagner Foundation and other family foundations.

To learn more about ACHIEVE, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Lindsay Scott at 973-762-5600 x 1847 or achieveprogram@yahoo.com

Offered through a school/community partnership between SOMEF and the School District of South Orange and Maplewood, the goal of the ACHIEVE Volunteer Tutor Program is to improve the academic skills of children in-need by matching them with trained volunteer tutors from the local communities. Every year, 150 ACHIEVE volunteers provide over 2,500 hours of free tutoring to 250 students in grades K-12, who are referred for extra help by their teachers and guidance counselors. ACHIEVE recruits volunteers - professionals, retirees, parents and high school and college students - from local groups and organizations and the community-at-large.

ACHIEVE began as a grassroots initiative in 1997 to address the problem of children, especially those from minority and low-income homes, who faced impediments to reaching their full academic potential due to deficits in reading, writing and other basic skills. Through ACHIEVE, more than 1,000 volunteers have had the opportunity to provide over 1,800 students with the extra attention and assistance that often makes all the difference.

Half of the ACHIEVE volunteers are adults from the surrounding communities and students from Seton Hall University. Although the program attracts a number of retired teachers, no formal teaching experience is required to participate, so ACHIEVE provides an opportunity for community members to engage in a first-hand community service that often has a significant impact on the young people who benefit from it. 

For the 75-100 high school students who serve as ACHIEVE volunteers annually, the program provides a rare opportunity to participate in an on-going service activity that improves their own academic proficiencies, develops self-confidence and leadership skills and allows them to serve as role models for younger peers.

All ACHIEVE volunteers complete an application process and training program in order to participate in the program. The training sessions cover the role and expectations of the tutor, an overview of the current South Orange/Maplewood Schools curriculum, basic methods for tutoring in English Language Arts and mathematics, as well as a general orientation. Special sessions are also offered to continuing tutors on topics such as working with problem solving, organizational and study skills, working with ESL students, strategies for early readers, preparation for standardized tests and more.

ACHIEVE has established a track record of success. Classroom teachers report discernible improvement both in students’ academic performance and in their self-esteem. Parents also praise the program, crediting the tutoring with positive change in their children’s attitude toward learning and expressing appreciation for the academic assistance, which would have been unattainable if not for this free service.
Pictured at left: An ACHIEVE tutor working with a student.