| For Immediate Release: March 17, 2006 |
For more information, contact: Sarah Priestman, 202-478-6159 spriestman@experiencecorps.org |
Experience Corps Wins National
'Program of Excellence' Award
National Council on Aging Cites Corps' Promising Practices in Civic Engagement, 'Dramatic Organizational and Community Impact'
WASHINGTON - Experience Corps was selected as one of four "Programs of Excellence" by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) today for its "leadership in engaging older adults" and for demonstrating "successful practices in fostering continuing contributions that have dramatic organizational and community impact."
The award, announced today at the joint NCOA/American Society on Aging conference in Anaheim, California, concludes a rigorous national search for the most "promising practices in the civic engagement of older persons" and includes a $10,000 cash award.
The four "Programs of Excellence" are:
- Experience Corps, Temple University, Philadelphia
- Legacy Leadership Institutes, University of Maryland Center on Aging
- Contra Costa for Every Generation, John Muir/Mt. Diablo Community Health Fund
- Person to Person Program, St. Louis Regional OASIS
"What all of these programs demonstrate is the importance and value to society of engaging older persons in community-based programs that reflect high levels of purpose, meaning, and impact," notes Tom Endres, vice president for civic engagement at NCOA, "programs that make a difference in the lives of participants and the communities in which they live."
The four programs were selected for their "success and accomplishment in one or more of five outcomes: increasing participation; creating impactful, meaningful roles; providing high-quality life experience; strengthening capacity to meet organizational mission; and producing recognized benefit to the community and its citizens."
"As the first of the baby boom generation nears traditional retirement age, the nation must find ways to make the best and highest use of their experience and time," says John S. Gomperts, CEO of Experience Corps. "We're proud that NCOA selected Experience Corps as one of the nation's top four models for engagement and impact."
Experience Corps in Philadelphia is the nation's largest Experience Corps project, engaging more than 500 older adults in tutoring and mentoring in grades K-8 in 42 schools. Hosted by the Temple University Center for Intergenerational Learning, Experience Corps Philadelphia has been growing steadily for the past 10 years. Rob Tietze has been the program director since the beginning.
"I've seen teams of Experience Corps members change the culture of entire schools and turn thousands of kids around academically, while at the same time boosting their own health and well-being," says Tietze. "It's a real honor to be singled out as a 'Program of Excellence' and a real boost to our members, who work so hard every day."
NCOA will release a report, "Profiles in Excellence and Exemplary Practice," detailing the award-winning organizations' process and findings, in May. A second report, "Most Promising Practices in Civic Engagement of Older Adults," will be released at the same time.
Experience Corps® offers new adventures in service for Americans over 55. Now in 14 cities, Experience Corps works to solve serious social problems, beginning with literacy. Today more than 1,800 Corps members serve as tutors and mentors to children in urban public schools and after-school programs, where they help teach children to read and develop the confidence and skills to succeed in school and in life. Research shows that Experience Corps boosts student academic performance, helps schools and youth-serving organizations become more successful, strengthens ties between these institutions and surrounding neighborhoods, and enhances the well-being of the volunteers in the process. Experience Corps is a signature program of Civic Ventures.
The Center for Intergenerational Learning at Temple University is dedicated to strengthening communities by bringing generations together to meet the needs of individuals and families throughout the life cycle.
