Experience Corps Program
Experience Corps is an award-winning national program that engages people over 55 in meeting their communities’ greatest challenges. Today, 2,000 Experience Corps members in 19 cities tutor and mentor elementary school students struggling to learn to read.
In Baltimore City, Greater Homewood Community Corporation, in partnership with the Johns Hopkins University Center on Aging and Health, has hosted Experience Corps since 1998. This innovative, high-impact volunteer program utilizes the time, skills, and experience of older adults to benefit not only their own health and well-being but also to help improve educational outcomes for elementary school-aged children. Experience Corps provides training and then places older adults in elementary schools to assist principals and teachers in their day-to-day activities.
Each extensively-trained volunteer commits a minimum of 15 hours per week for the entire school year. A team of 15-20 adults is placed in each school. The particular service performed by volunteers varies but might include literacy support, behavioral support, violence prevention programs, health promotion, enrichment activities, and community and parental outreach.
Beginning with three schools in 1998, Experience Corps is now in twenty of Baltimore's public elementary schools. Its successes and resulting contributions to both children and older adults have been a "triple win"- for the schools, the students and the seniors:
- Children in the Experience Corps schools have significantly higher scores on standardized reading tests. Similar results are evident with respect to math
- Participation in the Experience Corps program is related to perceptions of a better school climate (learning environment, school resources, and overall satisfaction) by staff, parents, and students.
- Evidence also suggests improvement in strength and physical function, mental function, and memory as well as an overall sense of well-being in the older adults participating in the program.
For more information, please call 410-261-1905 and check out our fact sheet.