Ohio State students have the opportunity to be tutors in the ColumbusReads program, which helps underprivileged children learn how to read.

The program was founded in 1998 by Les Wexner after Rosa Smith, superintendent of Columbus Public Schools, requested it. Wexner recruited 400 employees to tutor more than 200 kindergartners in three elementary schools.
 

Wexner created the program as a way to help underprivileged students “develop a love for reading that they would carry with them throughout their education,” Raj Chimanji, the SERVTeam student co-coordinator of the program said.
 

The program operates at Hubbard Elementary and East Linden Elementary School. ColumbusReads hopes to expand to other grade levels and to more elementary schools.
Since the program’s foundation, there have been an abundance of tutors. With around 80 current volunteers, the program is always stocked with people ready to help.
 

All are welcome to register to become a tutor as long as they pass the required background check, which is paid for by the program, Chimanji said.
 

Aside from the background check, students must also participate in a training session that teaches them how to interact with the children in a fun way, Chimanji said.
 

Previously, the organization had focused on recruiting professionals. In the past two years, the program has begun targeting undergraduate and graduate students.
 

“In just two years we are beginning to see these strong relationships develop between the college students and the kindergarten students,” Chimanji said.
 

Tutors read story books to the children and work on reading activities, Chimanji said. By helping students learn to read, the tutors are not only giving the children a necessary skill, but also a chance to “perform better in all aspects of schooling,” Chimanji said.
 

Registration for Winter Quarter begins Jan. 4 and ends March 18.
 

ColumbusReads is a “heartening experience” that gives the tutors a chance to watch their pupils learn and grow, Chimanji said.
 

The program hopes to expand to other schools, but has lacked the necessary funds and buses for transportation to other schools.
 

Students interested in the program can learn more at the program’s Web site, columbusreads.osu.edu.