Sixty volunteers from six Episcopal congregations and several other faith communities work with kindergarten and first grade students on basic literacy skills. The program is coordinated by Liz Cook of St. Paul's, Rochester,  the church that initiated the ministry at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School #9 and continues to provide funding for coordination, materials and training of the volunteers, as well as providing a number of the volunteers.

Recently Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori joined newly consecrated Bishop Prince Singh for an overview of this creative and valuable ministry, located in the core of Rochester, with retiring Bishop Jack M. McKelvey.

During the school day, the tutors work with students individually on literacy skills, promoting reading, playing educational games and providing a supportive atmosphere for the eleven classes. Their total volunteer tutoring hours are equivalent to two full-time teachers.

The success of the program has won the support of the parents, teachers and the principal, Sharon Jackson, who welcomed the bishops and recounted the difference this program has made.  School #9 has the largest bilingual elementary school population in the City School District and is in the urban core where 80% of the families of the student body are under the poverty line.

While visiting the classrooms the bishops had the opportunity to both observe the program and to sit with young students and help them with their reading skills.

Cook noted the volunteers were excited that their efforts are recognized and encouraged by the Presiding Bishop and Singh. "We had a genuine sense of caring and support from the three bishops," Cook stated. "We were deeply honored that they chose to spend a significant amount of time learning about our program, [and] spent some time working with children in an urban school."

She also emphasized that she and the other volunteers are actively seeking other congregations in the diocese and across church to become involved with tutoring programs, especially in schools where the children have challenges.

Cook presented the Presiding Bishop with a blue book bag, similar to those provided to students at the summer and Christmas vacations to encourage them to continue to read when not at school. Other participating faith communities provide food at vacation breaks and a book for each student on his or her birthday. St Paul's recently enabled the children to attend a professional puppet theater production based on several children's story books.