Volunteers supporting children with reading difficulties in schools : motives and rewards

Research on volunteer mentor programs has demonstrated mostly positive outcomes for mentees. As a result, many schools seek to attract and retain volunteers to assist children in need of support. The researchers interviewed 26 adult volunteers (from Australian companies) who help children with reading difficulties and examined intervention effects on the mentors as well as their motives for participating. The researchers found three significant factors that motivated corporate volunteers to engage in mentoring activities: values, understanding, and enhancement. In working individually with children in need of help, the mentors recognized the significance of their mentor role (values). For successful implementation of the program, mentors needed to learn new skills and use them with the mentees (understanding). The interaction between the adult and the child facilitated growth and development for both mentor and mentee (enhancement). To benefit both mentors and mentees, these critical factors should be considered by schools to successfully attract and engage volunteers in mentor programs with a specific educational focus.