Bringing Our Community
Into Classrooms,
Helping Students Succeed

Bringing Our Community
Into Classrooms and Helping Students Succeed

How We Make an Impact

Classroom Tutoring

Our trained volunteers provide tutoring in reading, math, writing, and language arts to help students succeed academically.

Book Gifting Program

Twice a year, we gift brand new books directly to student's classrooms we tutor in and we help foster a love of reading.

Community Partnership

We work closely with 13 Title I schools across Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties to support students who need it most.

Our Mission

Tutors for Kids, Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening education in our communities by providing trained volunteer tutors to support students in Title 1 public schools. We partner with teachers and schools to improve learning, build skills, and inspire lifelong achievement.

Tutors for Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit made up of dedicated community volunteers. We partner with local schools to provide free classroom tutoring in reading, math, writing, and language arts.

Currently, we provide over 1,000 hours of tutoring per week with 200–300 active volunteers across 13 Title I schools in Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties.

Our Story

Founded in 2009 by Carolyn Ruhe and Frank Russo in The Villages, Florida, Tutors for Kids has grown from 6 tutors to hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

From Humble Beginnings

Tutors for Kids began in 2009, founded by Carolyn Ruhe and supported by her husband, Frank Russo, with a simple yet powerful vision — to help students succeed through tutoring support.

What started with just six tutors in The Villages has grown into a nonprofit serving 13 Title I schools across Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties. Over the years, we’ve experienced natural ebbs and flows – from steady growth to the challenges of COVID – but our mission has remained constant.

In 2025 – 2026, with around 200 active tutors, we continue to rely on community support to meet the changing needs of local students and teachers. Although our beloved founder Carolyn Ruhe passed away in 2024, her spirit and vision continue to guide us as we carry on her legacy of encouraging children to improve.

Schools We Serve

13 Title I schools across Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties
Lake County Schools
  • Beverly Shores Elementary
  • Fruitland Park Elementary
  • Leesburg Elementary
  • Oak Park Middle School
  • Rimes Early Learning Center
  • Villages Elementary of Lady Lake
Sumter County Schools
  • Wildwood Elementary
  • Wildwood Intermediate School
  • Wildwood Middle School
Marion County Schools
  • Belleview Elementary
  • Belleview-Santos Elementary
  • Harbour View Elementary
  • Stanton Weirsdale Elementary

Volunteer Opportunities

Join our community of dedicated volunteers making a difference

Tutoring Roles

Reading Tutors

Help students develop reading skills through one-on-one or small group sessions

Math Tutors

Support students with math concepts from basic arithmetic to pre-algebra

Writing Tutors

Guide students in developing their writing and communication skills

Language Arts Tutors

Make Language Arts fun and accessible for elementary and middle school students

Additional TFK Volunteers Needed
for Support Roles

Perfect for Seasonal Volunteers

We welcome snowbirds and seasonal residents! Our flexible scheduling accommodates your availability.

News & Reports

Stay updated with our latest announcements and impact reports.

Support Our Mission

Your donation helps us provide free tutoring and gift books to students who need it
most. Every contribution makes a difference.
Any Amount Helps

Every donation, no matter the size, directly supports our students and tutoring programs.

Sponsor Our Programs

Larger gifts help sponsor our twice-yearly book gifting programs for all tutored classrooms.

Corporate Sponsorship

Partner with us as a corporate sponsor and make a lasting impact in our community.

Thank You to Our Supporters

We’re grateful for the generous support of our community partners

Want to see your organization listed here? Contact us about partnership opportunities.