AARP Experience Corps Portland is hosted by Metropolitan Family Service. The program creates opportunities for older adults to take part in vital public and community service. AARP Experience Corps volunteer members work as teams to provide children with mentoring and tutoring services in Portland-area elementary and middle schools. Our mentors support schools, teachers and students by working in one-on-one, small groups and classroom settings — helping children to develop the academic abilities, self-confidence and personal skills to succeed in school and in life.
Metropolitan Family Service (MFS) invests in individuals and families that struggle with the many barriers associated with cultural and economic disparities, including inadequate education, health issues, isolation, unemployment and poverty. MFS focuses on creating opportunities for children to succeed in their families, in school and in the community by providing result-oriented programs in a safe environment, as well as in supporting older adults to help them maintain their independence and connections to the community through meaningful volunteer opportunities such as Experience Corps. Experience Corps has been hosted by MFS in Portland since 1995.
Program Launch: 1995
Program Data (2011-2012 school year)
Students served: 1,355
Volunteer members: 54
Hours logged: 14,165
Schools/Centers served: 10
Program Impact
In the 2011-2012 school year:
- 100 percent of teachers rated AARP Experience Corps volunteer members in the classroom assistance program as being good or excellent in their overall quality of assistance
- Of the 93 percent of students whose overall reading skills were rated as being below grade level at the beginning of the year, 53 percent were rated as having improved by the end of the year
- 95 percent of volunteer members were satisfied with the guidance they received from AARP Experience Corps site coordinators and staff
Contact:
Program Coordinator
Jessica McLaren
Metropolitan Family Service
503-232-0007, ext. 217
jessicam@metfamily.org
Recruitment:
Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator
Deborah Shimkus
Metropolitan Family Service
503-232-0007, ext. 222
deborahs@metfamily.org
