BUILD (Berkeley United in Literacy Development)

BUILD (Berkeley United in Literacy Development) offers one-to-one literacy support through after-school sessions where UC Berkeley student mentors provide tutoring and mentoring. Mentors work with the same children for at least one semester and take part in orientation, trainings, and weekly meetings with their mentor team. BUILD runs in the fall, spring, and summer terms.

• Schedule: 30–35 minute after-school sessions twice a week; time commitment of 4–6 hours per week for the entire semester

BUILD is one of the largest reading programs in the East Bay, with 215 UC Berkeley student mentors providing one-to-one literacy support to 850 youth, and each mentor is matched with 3 children. Current mentor positions are only open to applicants with previous experience as BUILD Mentors, and participants in these roles can receive Work-Study, Fieldwork Units, or volunteer hours. BUILD is supported by the City of Berkeley’s Youth Services, is a partner with the Berkeley Unified School District on Berkeley’s 2020 Vision, is a member of the Oakland Literacy Coalition, and is a supporter of Oakland Reads.

Last updated May 11, 2026.