There are three distinct opportunities for volunteers to get involved
with Steppingstone:
- Mentoring and tutoring Scholars with the SMASH program
- Volunteering at College Success Academy
- Advising Alumni
Fill out and submit our Volunteer Interest Form
The SMASH Program
S.M.A.S.H. is a tutoring and mentoring program for Steppingstone Scholars in grades 6-12 who have commenced from the preparation component. S.M.A.S.H. provides the Scholars academic support and guidance on homework and school projects. Scholars have one of two options – they can be paired with an Academic Mentor, an adult who has committed to tutor and advise a Scholar for at least one academic year and meets regularly with the same Scholar at least two Saturdays per month.
Scholars may also choose to work with a Study Hall Specialist, a tutor who has a particular area (or areas) of expertise who helps the Scholars when needed during study hall. Specialists commit to attending S.M.A.S.H. at least two Saturdays per month as well. All volunteers are welcome to come as often as they would like!
If you are interested in becoming a S.M.A.S.H. volunteer, please fill out and complete the Volunteer interest form or you may contact Lucia Milla.
S.M.A.S.H. is currently held at Boston Latin Academy, 205 Townsend Street, in Dorchester. Parking is available, and it is a short bus ride from Ruggles, Jackson Square, Dudley, Fields Corner, and Roxbury Crossing T stations. The SMASH sessions during the school year are on Saturdays, September through May.
College Success Academy
The mission of The Steppingstone Foundation’s most recent initiative is to increase the number of Boston students enrolling in and graduating from four-year colleges. Called the College Success Academy, this program operates in two Boston public K-8 schools, the Edison K-8 School and the Jackson/Mann K-8 School in Brighton. Based on the successful Steppingstone Academy model, the College Success Academy provides after-school and summer programming to students at these two schools, beginning the summer before fifth grade and continuing through the summer after eighth grade. This extended academic programming provides Scholars with the skills they need to enter high school ready to participate in a college-preparatory curriculum.
Volunteers will work as an integral part of the College Success Academy afterschool program in several ways:
• Supporting a positive climate and culture throughout the program day;
• Teaching positive social-emotional skills during recess and community times, including good sportsmanship, kindness, and respect;
• Working alongside professional teachers to provide individual attention to Scholars;
• Helping Scholars complete homework and engage in educational games and activities;
• Supervising snack, arrival and dismissal routines; and,
• Other tasks as needed including attendance, set up, and breakdown.
Program locations: Jackson/Mann and Edison Schools in Brighton
Program operating times and days:
Edison: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
2:20 — 4:45
Jackson/Mann: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
3:30 — 5:20 during the academic school year.
College Success Academy contact: Yully Cha, Executive VP of Programs, ycha@tsf.org.
Alumni Advisors
Once Scholars have graduated from high school and entered college or
the work force, they may elect to meet one-on-one with Alumni Mentors
who have offered to look over resumes, discuss specific fields and career
paths, help with graduate school applications, find scholarships, etc.
For more information, contact Kate Wood at 617-423-6300, ext. 238.
Fill out and submit our Volunteer Interest Form
