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

Experience Corps will expand to St. George, Utah this fall to engage more older adults as literacy tutors in St. George public schools. The Volunteer Center of Washington County will host the award-winning national service program for people over 55, which is already active in 18 other cities.

This partnership is uniquely suited to the St. George schools. "With four major correctional facilities in the region, the number of children of incarcerated parents that live in the St. George area is over 14,000," explains Experience Corps CEO John S. Gomperts. "The patience and commitment to learning that Experience Corps members bring into the schools is especially needed by these students."

Studies show that without intervention, 70 percent of children of incarcerated parents will themselves be incarcerated during their lives. In contrast, 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.

St. George's aging population also makes it an excellent fit for Experience Corps. With 18 percent of residents over age 65 -- compared to 8.5 percent in the state and 12.4 percent nationally -- St. George has abundant potential to capitalize on the experience of its older citizens.

"This community was made for a program like Experience Corps," says project director Linda Sappington. "We're very excited to bring meaningful service opportunities to St. George residents over 55. Everyone wins with this partnership."

Twenty-four new Experience Corps members will be trained in St. George by the Volunteer Center of Washington County and will being working with students in grades K-3 at eight schools in the five-county region of southwest Utah in the fall. The schools include Dixie Downs Elementary, East Elementary, Hurricane Elementary, LaVerkin Elementary, Shivwits Indian Reservation After-School Program, Washington Elementary, Washington County Youth Crisis Center, and West Elementary.

Studies show that students who are reading well by third grade are much less likely to drop out in high school than students who aren't reading well by age nine.

Experience Corps members in St. George will join 2,000 other Experience Corps members who now serve as tutors and mentors to children in 19 cities, where they help teach children to read and develop the confidence and skills to succeed in school and in life.

To learn more about Experience Corps St. George or for information about how to get involved, contact Linda Sappington at 435-674-5757 ext. 101 or volcenter@fcaog.aog.state.ut.us.

# # #

Experience Corps, a national service program for Americans over 55, works to show that older adults are an untapped national resource and can be engaged to help solve serious social problems, including illiteracy. Experience Corps is a signature program of Civic Ventures.