Community House lacks volunteers

An increase in the number of tutoring programs offered at Community House — a student-run organization that reaches out to community youth and adults — has led to a shortage of volunteers this fall, especially in the Big Brother program, which doesn't have enough male volunteers.

"The [Princeton] community is relying more heavily on volunteers than [on public school] teachers," Laura Collins '06, a Community House volunteer and chair of the Student Executive Board, said. "Our ideal is to have a one-on-one experience, so we are chronically short [on volunteers]."

Collins explained that recruiting has been especially difficult this year because of an increase from 20 to 60 students in one of Community House's 13 programs, Princeton Young Achievers (PYA). Through PYA, volunteers tutor and play with students at three after-school centers, up from one last year.

Collins also said Community House did not attract enough volunteers partly because of the new organization of the Student Activities Fair, which mixed service groups with all other clubs, deemphasizing their cause and creating confusion. After the Student Activities Fair, however, Community House's need for volunteers fell from 100 to 30.

Community House is geared to help underperforming students — many from low-income families — for little or no charge. According to The New York Times, a report released last month indicated that 37 percent of black students at Princeton High School failed to meet state standards in English, and 55 percent of blacks and 40 percent of Hispanics failed in math.

Run through the University's Office of Undergraduate Students, Community House sponsors 13 programs including tutoring and mentorship for students ranging from preschool to high school. The organization also offers adult literacy training and companionship to the elderly. University students act as coordinators as well as tutors and mentors, organizing study sessions, writing workshops and trips to on-campus lectures.

Brian Cochran '06, a project coordinator for PYA, said the program currently has 30 volunteers, but could use twice that amount to accommodate its expansion to three sites, the creation of drop-in homework help in the evenings and a new program in conjunction with the University's Spanish and Portuguese department.

To attract more volunteers, Community House will sponsor study breaks and set up information tables in the residential college dining halls and Frist.

Director of Community House Marjorie Young said she hopes the experiences of other volunteers will encourage more students to sign up.

"The greatest thing about Community House is that it exposes students to the community, and forms bonds and attachments that continue throughout their four years," Young said.

Cochran said he has strongly felt the impact he is having as a teacher and counselor. "My experience has been amazing," he said. "The thing that keeps me coming back is the kids. It allows you to develop a relationship with someone who needs you as a role model."

Community House was created in 1969 by seven University undergraduates who were inspired by then Master of Wilson College Julian Jaynes, who hoped for more political and social reform.