AARP Foundation Volunteer and Participant Success Stories

At AARP Foundation, a crucial measure of our success is the stories we get to share about the people we serve. They’re stories of resilience and tenacity. Of commitment and community. Most of all, they’re stories of transformation.

Here you’ll find stories about how our programs have helped people find hope, and about the volunteers who give so much of themselves to help others. If your life has been transformed by your involvement with one of AARP Foundation’s programs, we want to hear your story, too.

“If I can light a spark in one child for the love of books, it will make my heart sing.”

Terri Myers-Edwards explains how her love of reading led her to AARP Foundation Experience Corps.

“You have this wonderful opportunity to listen to them, to give them their dignity.”

Barbara Dooley has volunteered with Tax-Aide in three different states. Find out what keeps her coming back.

“She found a way to help me survive.”

A SNAP specialist helped put more food on Tom McSpedden’s table.

“We’re not being compensated, and I knew it wasn’t right. It’s just not right.”

Home care worker Margaret Bobb had her pay cut without notice and didn’t get OT. Learn how we’re fighting for her in court.

“I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get another job at my age.”

After being laid off at age 65, Dave Morris knew he still had to work. BACK TO WORK 50+ gave him the tools to find the right job.

“Before joining the BACK TO WORK 50+ program, I felt lost.”

At age 61, Air Force veteran Jamie Aranda found the support she needed to navigate the job market.

“I had to get some kind of job. I couldn’t live on $189 a month.”

Through adversity, Vickie Seat never gave up hope. Now she’s in her own apartment and finishing her degree.

“I needed something to take my mind off the things I couldn’t change, to focus on ways I could help.”

After a devastating loss, Earlean Lewis found new purpose with Experience Corps.

“I was trying to manage my mother’s health when she didn’t even recognize who I was anymore.”

Caregiving took a toll on Deidre Champion’s work life. Here’s how she got back on her feet.

“It shows that getting older doesn’t mean you are through living. There is still so much to offer.”

Find out why Joyce Lindberg is so passionate about AARP Foundation SCSEP.

“For whatever you put in, you get a lot more out.”

Tax-Aide volunteer leader Chuck Raeder describes the benefits of helping others.

“The classes are so well designed. They teach you exactly what you need to do, step by step.”

Read how Tamara Burchette found a job she loves with help from BACK TO WORK 50+.

“You can see in their face that they got it. It just makes you feel good.”

Read how Calvin Leonard finds satisfaction in tutoring young students.

“Having gone through such serious hardship myself, I know what it’s like for the people I work with.”

Read how Belinda Kizer went from being unemployed to helping older adults find jobs.

“Retiring wasn't the end … it was a new beginning for me.”

Read about Deborah Lofton’s journey from nurse to successful entrepreneur.

“It was awful. I thought they had made an error.”

Read about Mary Hartshorne's tireless work to reclaim the pensions she and others are owed.

Older adults sitting with students on white table with a stack of books showing them how to read

“If I can make a difference in one kid's life, I think I've achieved a lot.”

See how Geeta Sethi puts her whole heart into teaching kids to read.

“It gave me confidence and a purpose.”

See how Louvenia Williams gained new tech skills and so much more.

“It’s what Mom would have done.”

Read how Aubrey Jones’s deep family connections drove him to carry on his mother’s case against patient dumping.

“Clients are not just numbers.”

Read how AARP Foundation grantee SC Thrive connects older adults to benefits and so much more.

“AARP Foundation is an organization that doesn’t just talk about helping, they really roll up their sleeves and do the work.”

Donor Matthew Krecic tells why he added donations to his work as a volunteer.

“I get the joy and satisfaction that I'm helping all these people get what they deserve.”

Find out why volunteering with Tax-Aide is so appealing to Dave Martz.

“I would tell them that they could help a child succeed.”

Read why AARP Foundation Experience Corps volunteer Sharon Justis loves tutoring young students.

“Right is right, and wrong is wrong.”

Learn how construction worker Shawn Jones fought against a hefty penalty for not participating in a company wellness program.

“If you haven’t had exposure to what it really takes to start a business, this is where you want to go.”

Learn how Alethia Brown bounced back after losing everything.

“The rewards I receive from the children are greater than what I do.”

Learn how retired nurse Carol Dolan applies her passion for learning to her volunteering as an AARP Foundation Experience Corps tutor.

“I know how people feel when a hurricane comes and affects everything. It’s devastating.”

Learn how Maureen Morrow, a determined legal aid lawyer, helped Louisianans recover from Hurricane Ida.

Learn how Vietress Bacon got to move into her own home as part of major lawsuit against nursing facilities.

“I just wish that other people could get out.”

Vietress Bacon ended up in a nursing facility and couldn’t get out — until AARP Foundation helped.

Marian Chauvin cuts the ribbon on her rebuilt home with members of the SBP team.

“With AARP Foundation’s generous support, [we have] rebuilt 10 homes for … Ida-impacted older adults in Louisiana.”

Read about how grantee SBP used disaster-relief support from AARP Foundation to repair and rebuild the homes of older adults in Louisiana.

“It is a joy when I get to see my students realize that they can read well.”

Read Linda Fong’s essay on how tutoring with Experience Corps lets her create a meaningful connection with future generations.

Marielena Bencomo Back to Work 50+ Program Participant

“It empowers a person. I would absolutely recommend the program to other people.”

Learn how Marielena Bencomo found her dream job with help from BACK TO WORK 50+.

Lillian Shupe with Horse, Back to Work 50+ Program Participant

“The networking was huge, but also being able to ask questions and knowing you’re not alone in this mess.”

Read how Lillian Shupe’s new job also fulfills her passion for nature, thanks to what she learned through the BACK TO WORK 50+ program.

Lorettta Boyd SCSEP Workforce Program Participant and Her Family

Loretta Boyd (left) with her mother and children

"The SCSEP program helped save me. It transformed my life.”

Read how Loretta Boyd overcame countless obstacles to find success, with help from AARP Foundation SCSEP.

John Bolton Property Tax-Aide Volunteer wearing gray sweatshirt in his home

“It’s a great way to continue serving people.”

Find out why his neighbors are happy to see Property Tax-Aide volunteer John Bolton when spring rolls around.

“We have people who burst into tears when they find that they get a refund.”

Learn about Janelle Riedl and her team of Tax-Aide volunteers, whose commitment to their community goes beyond taxes.

“I’m determined, and I keep moving on.”

Find out how Andrew Ziccardi set his business up for success with help from Work for Yourself@50+.

"I just wanted to share the exciting news… I GOT THE JOB!”

Read how Cynthia Fernandez was able to find a new job in the middle of a pandemic.

William Jean Vance Experience Corps Program Volunteer

"I thought that it would give me a chance to give back.”

Read about Willie Jean, who finds teaching young kids to become great readers a moving experience.

Caucasian older man wearing grey shirt and jeans in his backyard

“It’s been a really eye-opening and rewarding volunteer experience."

Learn how Alan puts his puzzle-solving skills to good use as an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer.

Jacquie Johnson Back to Work 50+ Participant

“They helped me get back to myself.”

Read how a difficult decision — to leave her job so she could care for her ailing mother — led Jacquie to BACK TO WORK 50+. Now she has a job she loves.

“People have a lot of trust in AARP Foundation’s programs.”

Read how volunteering with Tax-Aide lets Denise serve a community she says is bounded by trust, need, and caring.

“I’m going to teach you to read."

Read about how a retired firefighter continues to serve his community by helping young students become better readers.

AARP Foundation BACK TO WORK Gabe Menvielle

“Nowadays, careers are merging, and you have to know more."

Read how BACK TO WORK 50+ helped Gabe build the skills he needed to move forward after age discrimination hampered his job search.

AARP Foundation BACK TO WORK 50+ Wanda Larosiliere

“Looking for work in your 60s, where do you start?"

Read how Wanda's new job hunt was radically different from the one she remembered.