The Public Education Initiative (PEI) is a program of the Federation's Jewish Volunteer Network (JVN) to further our mission of tikkun olam (healing the world). PEI began in 1999 to create more opportunities for members of the Jewish community to become involved in the life of Cleveland.

Be a Tutor! During the 2010-11 school year, PEI tutors will work with students within six schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD): • Bolton School • Buckeye-Woodland School • Buhrer School • The Entrepreneurship Preparatory School (E-Prep)/Village Prep • Ginn Academy • Juvenile Detention Center

PEI provides training, an on-site coordinator, and a structured supplemental reading program and materials. It also oversees efforts to recruit a corps of caring volunteers to help build reading skills and one to one relationships with students. The program functions during school hours as a supplementary program, apart from the school's regular reading curriculum. As a result of this program, hundreds of volunteers from all faiths have come together to read, write, play learning games, and build relationships.

Funders: McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal and Liffman Foundation; Martha Holden Jennings Foundation; Federation’s Campaign for Jewish Needs and the following supporting foundations of the Federation -- Chelm Family Foundation, Nathan L. and Regina Herman Charitable Fund and the Norma and Ernie Siegler Family Foundation.

Partners: Cleveland Reads; Fuchs Mizrachi School; John Carroll University; National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Section; Plymouth Church of Shaker Heights and West Shore Unitarian Church.

For more information or to find out how you can get involved, call 216.566.9200, ext. 263, e-mail jsemel@jcfcleve.org, or fill out our online registration form.

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