As 2022 begins, representatives from local nonprofit organizations hope that people will list volunteering among their New Year's resolutions.

Among the agencies seeking volunteer tutors to help individuals from other countries with their English language skills is the Adult Tutoring Program of Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC). No experience is necessary, but volunteers must have a bachelor's degree.

Tutors are asked to meet with a student for three hours a week. "This is usually done in two 90-minute sessions," noted Debbie Rikess, program coordinator. She added that tutors and students have the option of meeting in person or virtually.

OIC provides online training through the Pennsylvania Department of Education and offers monthly workshops for tutors. "The tutoring program partners with the Chester County Library in Exton, where (its) offices are located and an abundance of resources are available," Rikess said.

For more information, contact Rikess at drikess@cc-oic.org or 610-344-4013 or 610-344-4014.

Compeer, a nonprofit organization that pairs people living with mental health conditions with volunteer friends from the community, is in need of volunteers. Volunteers are asked to meet with their friends for a minimum of four hours each month for one year.

Compeer volunteers are paired with individuals of the same gender and geographical area who share common interests. "Many of our matched friends are now meeting in person while still following all CDC guidelines," said Donna Kueny, program manager. "Also, we are in great need of male volunteers, as we have many male participants on our wait list. We are also hoping to resume some Compeer events in 2022, starting with the Pizza and Bowling Party at the end of February."

For more information, call 610-436-4445, email dkueny@mhphope.org or visit http://www.compeerchesco.org.

The Volunteer English Program (VEP) in Chester County is seeking tutors to provide weekly, one-to-one English language instruction for adult immigrants or refugees living in Chester County. Prospective tutors are invited to attend a virtual tutor training workshop on Monday, Jan. 24; Thursday, Jan. 27; and Tuesday, Feb. 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. each morning. The six-hour course will prepare volunteers to tutor a non-native English speaker.

According to Terri Potrako, VEP executive director, tutors are asked to make a one-year commitment to the program. Tutors and students will decide whether to start meeting virtually or in person. The goal is to eventually meet in person at libraries, churches, coffee shops or cafe areas in local grocery stores when both parties feel it is safe to do so.

Potrako reported that there are more than 150 adults who speak 22 different languages who are in need of a tutor. "VEP tutors come from all walks of life; a teaching background or knowledge of another language is not necessary," she noted.

For more information, visit http://www.volunteerenglish.org or http://www.facebook.com/VolunteerEng or call 610-918-8222.