I started volunteering with Los Ayudantes about 5 years ago, working with Redwood City middle schoolers in the classroom and helping them with language arts assignments (understanding what they were reading, connecting it to what they already knew, writing, etc). The kids were bright, polite, appreciative. I liked feeling that I'd helped them see their strengths more clearly, stay upbeat about their ability to persevere and ultimately understand the material. I then started helping with the younger kids, and recruited a friend to join, too. The time commitment is pretty minimal for me, but means a lot to the kids.