The Jewish Coalition for Literacy, which helps Bay Area elementary schoolchildren learn to read, has three more training sessions for new tutors this month.

Volunteer reading tutors are asked to work just one hour a week, helping a disadvantaged student in a local public school learn to read. JCL recruits, trains, places and supports tutors in public elementary schools and after-school programs in grades K-3 throughout the Bay Area.

Each of the training session lasts three hours. Register at www.jclread.org or call one of the numbers.

In Lafayette, 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 at Temple Isaiah, 954 Risa Road, (510) 809-4904; in Palo Alto, 10 a.m. Jan. 19 at the Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, (415) 369-9978 ext. 107; in San Francisco, 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at Congregation Sherith Israel, 2266 California St., (415) 369-9978 ext. 105.

Inspired by Jewish values of social justice, the JCL is a joint project of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Relations Council and the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. The Bay Area JCL, which began 16 years ago and mobilizes some 350 volunteer reading tutors each year, is one of 27 independent affiliates of the National Jewish Coalition for Literacy.