"Knowledge is power, and every time I tutor at X-Cel Education, I’m inspired as I watch motivated people from all walks of life empowering themselves,” said John Mayer, Boston Cares member and project leader for the GED tutoring program at X-Cel Adult Education.

This unique tutoring program is staffed entirely by volunteers from Boston Cares, an affiliate of HandsOn Network. The program is truly transformational for the adult students, allowing them to advance their education, expand their career options and provide a higher quality of life for themselves and their families. X-Cel provides pre-GED and GED classes, ESOL classes, college prep classes and computer classes at five locations throughout Boston.

Through X-Cel, Volunteers can work with students individually or in small groups to provide comprehensive instruction at a pace that is comfortable for each student. No teaching experience for volunteers is necessary.

Witnessing the tangible impact of their efforts is the best reward for the volunteers, as graduates of the program often go on to enroll in college classes or apply for more competitive jobs.

“I really think I get more back from the students than I even give. It is great to think that I might be able to help someone achieve their GED and continue on their path to a better life,” said Sue Clever, who has volunteered for the program since 2007.

The mission of X-Cel, Inc. Adult Education is to make high school completion and college-level study more accessible to low-income adults in Greater Boston by providing flexible customized instruction at no cost in convenient community locations. At any given time, more than 200 adult students are taking classes through the program, and X-Cel works with more than 350 adult students over the course of a year. X-Cel is a highly successful program that enables adults to improve their quality of life through education.