OASES recruits UC Berkeley students to mentor and tutor elementary school youth from immigrant and low-income families in Oakland. Mentors commit one afternoon per week, traveling by BART or rideshare from Downtown Berkeley to Lincoln or Franklin Elementary to help with homework or lead enrichment activities like art, cooking, dance, or soccer. No prior experience is required. Members can also take on coordinator or intern officer roles, and optionally earn an Education field study unit.
ApplicationsTuesday, 2/10 at 11:59PM
80
Active mentors, at least
400
Elementary students served per year, at least
10
Mentoring days per semester (held once a week over 10 weeks)
5
Program start week
1983
Year founded
Events They Host
Elementary Event (Halloween Festival / Spring Festival)
Held at the school sites each semester. Fall semester: Halloween festival. Spring semester: Spring Festival. Mentors help prepare games and creative activities for elementary school students. Counts for double hours for Education unit takers.
Member Experiences
Volunteer Socials
Recurring throughout the semester. Past activities have included pumpkin painting, movie nights, karaoke, and hikes (such as the Big C Hike). Designed as a casual, fun way for mentors to connect.
OASES Alumni Network (OAN)
Networking event where current members connect with OASES alumni to learn about career paths, gain professional advice, and explore internship or research opportunities.
Volunteer Appreciation Dinner (VAD)
A paid end-of-semester celebratory dinner recognizing volunteers for their contributions. Includes food, activities, and awards recognizing mentor dedication and impact.