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AARP Foundation Experience Corps Grand Rapids

The AARP Experience Corps program in Grand Rapids is hosted by Gerontology Network. The program serves students in grades K-3. AARP Experience Corps volunteer members are each assigned to work with eight children at the direction of the teacher in small groups or in one-on-one tutoring sessions. The program currently engages 25 volunteer members and operates in six schools.

Gerontology Network provides health, wellness and enrichment services for better aging. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for older adults, people with aging-related challenges and those who care for them through education, support and personalized services. For a complete list of services, visit our website at GerontologyNetwork.org.

Program Launch: 2006

Program Data (2012 – 2013 school year)

  • Students served: 341
  • Volunteer members: 28
  • Hours logged last year: 20,782.75
  • Schools/centers served: 8

Program Impact

In the 2012 – 2013 school year:

  • 100 percent of volunteer members were satisfied with the guidance they received from AARP Experience Corps site coordinators and staff.
  • Of the 98 percent of students whose overall reading skills were rated as being below grade level at the beginning of the year, 64 percent were rated as having improved in both fluency and reading comprehension by the end of the year.
  • By the end of the year, 97 percent students who participated in the program were expected to advance to the next grade.

Contact:
Rev. Peggy Lawrence Burns
Program Director
Gerontology Network
616-771-9748
pburns@gerontologynetwork.org