Frequently Asked Questions (General)

Program Specific FAQs: PRC

What does volunteering for Community Schools and Philly Reading Coaches look like?

Both Community Schools and Philly Reading Coaches offer volunteer opportunities under the City of Philadelphia to ensure that every child and family in Philadelphia has access to high-quality educational opportunities, supportive environments, and strong community connects.  

  • Community Schools volunteer opportunities support initiatives like food distribution, student and family engagement events, beautification projects and more! Volunteers can join CS for one-time or ongoing volunteer events. Groups are welcome. 

  • Philly Reading Coaches volunteers support the community by pairing up with a K-3rd grade student to read and engage in fun activities with for 1-2 hours a week after school. This is a weekly commitment.

To learn more about each of these programs, please visit our About Us page.

How do I sign up to volunteer? 

Can I volunteer for both Community Schools and Philly Reading Coaches?

Volunteers are able to take part in both the weekly Philly Reading Coaches volunteer literacy sessions AND opportunities or projects hosted through Community Schools. In fact, many PRC locations are Community Schools!

  • If you are already signed up for Philly Reading Coaches, click here to get involved with Community Schools. You will be prompted to complete a few extra intake questions, then you are free to sign up for any Community Schools program. Just make sure you are signed in to your previously created account!  

  • If you are already signed up for Community Schools, click here to get involved with Philly Reading Coaches. You will be prompted to complete a few extra intake questions, then you are free to sign up for a  Philly Reading Coaches opportunity. Just make sure you are signed in to your previously created account!

How will I know which volunteer opportunities require clearances?

Any requirements will be listed in the Opportunity posting. Click "respond" to begin uploads. You will not be able to officially sign up to volunteer until proper documentation has been uploaded and approved by the volunteer coordinators. You will receive an email notification when your clearance is approved or if you need to resubmit. Please note that all Philly Reading Coaches opportunities require a number of background checks.

If I have already submitted my qualifications for one program/opportunity, do I need to resubmit them if I decide to sign up for another program/opportunity? 

Nope! Your previously submitted qualifications will carry over to all opportunities. Keep in mind that some opportunities may require different qualifications, so you may have to submit qualifications that you didn't have to for the previous program/opportunity. Most qualifications are valid for a year or five years.

If I do not have all of my qualifications, can I upload what I have, save my progress, and come back to it later? 

Yes! You may upload qualifications one/several at a time. To save your progress and come back later, all you have to do is click "submit" at the bottom of the qualification box.

What if one of my qualifications isn't approved? Why would it be rejected?

You will receive an email asking you to resubmit. For questions about PRC qualifications, please email PRC@phila.gov. For questions about Community Schools qualifications, please email Madeline.Cerulli@phila.gov.

Possible reasons a qualification might be rejected:

- It is expired / expiration date was entered incorrectly

- It is the wrong document

- It is not signed

If I plan to volunteer for both Community Schools and Philly Reading Coaches, do I need to attend both orientations? 

Yes. Both have required orientations. For Community Schools, please follow the instructions for the School District of Philadelphia Volunteer Orientation on their Clearance Information Page. Philly Reading Coaches holds orientations each school year; dates will be posted in August.

How do I know if I am ready to sign up for shifts?

After submitting your qualifications, our team will review each one. You will receive an email confirming when each of your qualifications is approved and a final email from the system, "Congratulations! You Are Now Ready to Sign Up to Volunteer" when all qualifications for a specific volunteer opportunity are approved. You may also check your status in your profile or in an opportunity's description. 

Are there program specific FAQs?

For more information about Philly Reading Coaches, please click here:

Philly Reading Coaches FAQ. 

If I have any other questions, who can I contact? 

For questions about signing up for Community Schools volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Maddie Cerulli at Madeline.Cerulli@phila.gov or (215) 834-6277.

For questions about signing up for Philly Reading Coaches, please reach out to Oceana Williams at PRC@phila.gov or call 267-854-2697.