About Us
Learn about Experience Corps
The big picture
Who, what and where
A vision for our future
Answers to your questions
John Gardner's idea
Collaborators in education, research, aging and community service
Meet the Experience Corps board
Meet the Experience Corps staff
MEMBER PROFILE
Still Forming
Bonds
Raul Castaneda, classroom aide turned Experience Corps member (and award winner), San Francisco

I joined Experience Corps because: When I retired years ago, I was looking for something to do. I saw an Experience Corps flyer at the library, and I called the organization. It's been a great experience working in the schools because I'm a bilingual tutor.

The best part of being an Experience Corps member is : The immediate result I see every day when I work with the children one-on-one.

I like to tell the story about: I have a student this year from Mexico. This last year I've been working with her one-on-one for 45 minutes every day, and she's more open and has friends. Also, last year, I worked with a third-grade boy. He had to go back to Mexico, and I visited him, bringing him letters from his old classmates. I want to visit him every year.

I'm sticking with Experience Corps because: I've learned the last three years that a strong base in elementary school is important for moving from elementary to middle school -- you have to have a strong curriculum.

Read about Raul's recent award!

"It's like a job. You have goals. You see results" -Yuriy, Experience Corps Member

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Mission

To create powerful opportunities for older adults to meet society's greatest challenges.

Vision

Older adults in service to children are an integral part of the education strategy across America. Through this generational exchange, children succeed, older adults thrive and communities are made stronger.

Strategic Focus

To engage older adults as tutors and mentors to produce outstanding literacy results for children in grades K-3.

Ahead of the Curve

The first of 78 million baby boomers turned 60 in 2006. Our work today lays the groundwork for the millions of boomers who will look for purposeful opportunities today and tomorrow. We offer:
  • A new model of community engagement that values and leverages the experience and leadership of people over 55.
  • Measurable results to demonstrate our success.
  • A learning laboratory to study and strengthen our model.
  • A commitment to publish research findings to help expand opportunities for boomers to serve.
Award winning
Social Capitalist Award winner, 2007 and 2008  >  
Our impact
Learn about the impact Experience Corps is having.  >  
Make it local
Start Experience Corps in your city  >  

Celebrating People in Action!
"In the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education. And in this country, the success of our children cannot depend more on where they live than on their potential."

-President Obama, "State of the Union," January 27, 2010
"Together, we can continue our commitment to education innovation by investing in Experience Corps, a program that helps elementary students by increasing the number of older adult tutors and mentors in the classroom. Independent research shows that Experience Corps works: Third-grade reading and math scores are rising and students feel safer at school."

-Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, State of the City Speech, February 22, 2010