Our Programs

One student
One trained volunteer
One powerful connection

How It Works

ONE TO ONE offers programming across B.C. that leverages the power of one-to-one connections to help children develop literacy skills and reading confidence – at no cost to schools or families. 

The ONE TO ONE program began in 1989 at Carleton Elementary school in Vancouver and over the next 30+ years has expanded across the province. In the 2019 school year, we served nearly 3,000 students in 211 schools across B.C.  

At the heart of our literacy program is the unique relationship between students and their reading partner – whether that’s a trained volunteer literacy tutor or a child’s parent/caregiver. We equip caring adults with strategies to encourage young readers’ interest in reading, boost their confidence and strengthen their literacy skills. Because of ONE TO ONE, they read together in an environment where they can learn, grow, and it is OK to make mistakes. 

We offer three distinct programs.

In-Person School Tutoring Programs

Working in partnership with schools and districts across the province, students read with their ONE TO ONE tutors regularly in-person, in-school/during school hours throughout the school year.  

Students are recommended to the program by their teacher or the school resource team. 

Trained volunteer literacy tutors share their joy of reading and work to build relationships with the students they are reading with.  

The reading sessions focus on building literacy skills and self-confidence by prioritizing fluency and reading for meaning. 

Virtual After-School Tutoring Programs

Our virtual after-school program started as a trial in 2020, grew into a pilot program in 2021-22 and continues today alongside our in-person program. 

Working with schools and community groups to reach eligible students, ONE TO ONE’s virtual tutors read remotely after school, over Zoom using the Epic! Books library.   

Just as in our in-person reading program, virtual tutors share their joy of reading and work to build relationships with the students they are reading with. The only difference is that students and the tutors are connecting with each other virtually from home. 

Reading sessions focus on building literacy skills and self-confidence by prioritizing fluency and reading for meaning. 

Registration is currently open for our after-school program for the 2023-24 school year. Contact Alistair Nagle for more information.

Come Read with Me

Come Read with Me (CRWM) is an interactive workshop facilitated by a ONE TO ONE educator, designed to give parents and caregivers the opportunity to learn positive reading strategies to support their children at home. 

Our 60-minute sessions are informal and interactive, and offered three times a year (fall, winter spring). Participants receive an electronic resource package including the “Reading Success at Home” handbook. 

Come Read with Me is best suited for the parents and caregivers of students in Grades 1-3. 

CRWM was developed by our partner, Literacy in Kamloops, and has been running for more than 10 years. There is no cost to participate, thanks to the generous support of our donors. 

Learn More 

For more information on current or upcoming programs, contact Alistair Nagle, the ONE TO ONE Program Manager at alistair@one-to-one.ca.