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.

Louvenia Williams: “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.

Matthew Krecic: “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.

Dave Martz: “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.

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

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

Shawn Jones: “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.

Alethia Brown: “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.

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

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

Maureen Morrow: “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.

Vietress Bacon: “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.

SBP: “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.

Linda Fong: “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

Marielena Bencomo: “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

Lillian Shupe: “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

Loretta Boyd: "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

John Bolton: “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.

Janelle Riedl: “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.

Andrew Ziccardi: “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+.

Cynthia Fernandez: "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

Willie Jean Vance: "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

Alan Siegel: “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

Jacquie Johnson: “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.

Denise Morgan: “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.

Robert Rouse: “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

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+ Lisa Edmonds Success Story

Lisa Edmond: "Some days I wanted to quit, but you have to keep going."

Learn how Lisa got her job groove back after she was laid off by her employer of more than 40 years.

AARP Foundation BACK TO WORK 50+ Wanda Larosiliere

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.

Participant and Volunteer Stories