For Immediate Release: April 21, 2009

For more information, contact: Lindsay Moore, 202-478-6159 lmoore@experiencecorps.org

Legislation designed to dramatically increase service opportunities for older Americans was signed by President Barack Obama today. The bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act is the most inclusive and comprehensive national service legislation in America's history, making national service accessible for millions who have finished their midlife careers.

The legislation increases the number of AmeriCorps members to 250,000 by 2017. Ten percent of the AmeriCorps member slots reserved for organizations that engage people age 55+, dramatically expanding the number of service opportunities for older adults and encouraging multigenerational service teams.

"These measures create high-impact service opportunities for people 55+ to use their experience to address some of our nation's greatest challenges," says Lester Strong, CEO of Experience Corps. "Today, 2,000 Experience Corps tutors help 20,000 students make dramatic gains in reading achievement. With the Serve America Act, Experience Corps's numbers and impact will skyrocket, helping older Americans to be a big part of the solution to this nation's literacy problem."

Provisions that relate to adults 55+ include the following:

• Ten percent of the increased AmeriCorps slots are designated for people 55+.
  
• There is now an option to transfer Education Awards to children and grandchildren.
  
• The two-year term limit on AmeriCorps service has been eliminated.
  
• A new Education Corps cites priority for mentoring programs that engage retirees.
  
• The "Silver Scholars" program provides scholarships to those who serve 350 hours or more.
  
• Encore Fellowships are available to provide people 55+ one-year management or leadership positions that will prepare them for jobs in the nonprofit sector.

Legislators cited Experience Corps when the bill was debated in the Senate. ""Experience Corps members are working to make sure elementary school students don't fall through the cracks," said Senator Christopher Dodd (D, CT).

"Experience Corps takes adults with years of experience and put their skills to work," Barbra Mikulski, (D, MD), told the Senate. "It is making a difference."

A detailed summary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

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Experience Corps, an award-winning program, engages people over 55 in meeting their communities' greatest challenges. Today, in 23 cities across the country, 2,000 Experience Corps members tutor and mentor elementary school students struggling to learn to read. 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.