Share Your Experiences
Experience Corps is an award-winning national program that engages people over 55 in meeting one of their communities' greatest challenges: tutoring and mentoring elementary students who are struggling with reading. Independent research shows that Experience Corps boosts student academic performance, helps schools and youth-serving organizations become more successful, and enhances the well-being of the older adults in the process.
After training by professionals, Experience Corps members are matched with students who have been selected by the school as needing individual support in reading and literacy. Instructional goals are developed for each student. Using structured materials, related to the school's curriculum, members work individually with these children several times a week. Each child's year-end reading level is compared to that from the beginning and middle of the year to assess the student's progress -- and the results document increased literacy achievement.
Experience Corps members have rich and varied backgrounds. Retired teachers, business owners, chefs, nurses, government employees, or homemakers: all have life wisdom and the experience necessary to support the education and growth of children. In addition, the members receive ongoing training and support as well as rewarding peer interactions.
If you are interested in joining Experience Corps, please contact Shirley Shobe at 520-881-3300 or sshobe@volunteersoaz.org
These comments are from Experience Corps members in Tucson:
"I really enjoy working with the children. It makes me feel younger!"
"My experience has been great -- I look forward to next year."
"I learned about the needs of the school and children and I see the need of the students to feel acceptance."
"The students love the one-on-one time. Some students don't get any help at home so we fill the gap and it helps the students a great deal."
"I love working with the students!"
The Experience Corps program is coordinated and sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona, a national leader in designing and developing effective, sustainable volunteer initiatives that address critical social and community issues.
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