About
The Learning Home Volunteers Program focuses on child-directed play-based learning that parents carry out with their children. Families receive learning boxes every 3 weeks that include learning activities and books, and the program provides a book a week for each child. Parents receive training on child development milestones and on how to include language, numeracy, letter, color, and shape recognition goals in play, and graduates are evaluated using a play-based assessment.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: Training and support is provided to families throughout the three years they are with the program.
• Price: The program is free for low-income families with children age 2–5 in San Mateo County.
Learning Home Volunteers is a non-profit organization working to address the kindergarten-readiness gap by empowering and equipping parents to engage their young children in joyful learning through play. Its stated mission is to prepare low-income children for kindergarten by empowering, equipping, and supporting their parents to emphasize the excitement and joy of learning and discovery with their children through joyful play, and it also states, “Our mission is to ensure that every child gets an equal start at school.” The program trains parents with the skills they need to act as their children’s teacher and provides ongoing training through online training and drop-in sessions. For the past 3 years, the organization has evaluated its graduates using a play-based assessment, and according to the program’s assessments, all evaluated graduates were kindergarten ready, using skills that reference the Brigance Assessment used by many schools in the county. The organization states values including that children should lead their own learning and that respect is central to their work.
The organization’s board includes Joanne Donsky, Dr. Muffie Waterman, Emily Evans, Kim Overton, Graciela Emmez, Andy Fukuba (Board Chair), Yadira DiSiena, and Andrew Mendoza (Treasurer). Staff leadership includes Victoria Shoemaker, Executive Director; Mariana Muñoz, Family Coordinator; and Cecilia Chu, Director of Strategy and Fundraising. Board and staff biographies list degrees and experience that include BA and MSW from UC Berkeley; 42 years as faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UCSF; B.A. from Brandeis University; Ph.D in Education; Ph.D in Learning Studies; AB in Biology; B.S. in Chemical Engineering; Ph.D in Cell Biology; JD; 40 years of experience across special education, Bright Horizons, and The Nueva School; Stanford B.A. and a teaching credential; BA in Biology and Environmental Studies; licensed CPA with an MS in Accounting from SJSU; B.A. in Math/Management; Bachelor’s degree in International Business; Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences and Art from UC Berkeley; and a Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University.
The organization serves low-income families living in San Mateo County, California, and notes that donors make its mission possible, including those who donate their time, services, funds, books, and activities.
Last updated August 13, 2026.
• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: Training and support is provided to families throughout the three years they are with the program.
• Price: The program is free for low-income families with children age 2–5 in San Mateo County.
Learning Home Volunteers is a non-profit organization working to address the kindergarten-readiness gap by empowering and equipping parents to engage their young children in joyful learning through play. Its stated mission is to prepare low-income children for kindergarten by empowering, equipping, and supporting their parents to emphasize the excitement and joy of learning and discovery with their children through joyful play, and it also states, “Our mission is to ensure that every child gets an equal start at school.” The program trains parents with the skills they need to act as their children’s teacher and provides ongoing training through online training and drop-in sessions. For the past 3 years, the organization has evaluated its graduates using a play-based assessment, and according to the program’s assessments, all evaluated graduates were kindergarten ready, using skills that reference the Brigance Assessment used by many schools in the county. The organization states values including that children should lead their own learning and that respect is central to their work.
The organization’s board includes Joanne Donsky, Dr. Muffie Waterman, Emily Evans, Kim Overton, Graciela Emmez, Andy Fukuba (Board Chair), Yadira DiSiena, and Andrew Mendoza (Treasurer). Staff leadership includes Victoria Shoemaker, Executive Director; Mariana Muñoz, Family Coordinator; and Cecilia Chu, Director of Strategy and Fundraising. Board and staff biographies list degrees and experience that include BA and MSW from UC Berkeley; 42 years as faculty in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UCSF; B.A. from Brandeis University; Ph.D in Education; Ph.D in Learning Studies; AB in Biology; B.S. in Chemical Engineering; Ph.D in Cell Biology; JD; 40 years of experience across special education, Bright Horizons, and The Nueva School; Stanford B.A. and a teaching credential; BA in Biology and Environmental Studies; licensed CPA with an MS in Accounting from SJSU; B.A. in Math/Management; Bachelor’s degree in International Business; Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences and Art from UC Berkeley; and a Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University.
The organization serves low-income families living in San Mateo County, California, and notes that donors make its mission possible, including those who donate their time, services, funds, books, and activities.
Last updated August 13, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.