• News
  • Gallery
  • Services
  • Events
  • Employment
  • Volunteer
  • Contact
  • En Español
  • на русском
Navigate
YouTubeTwitterInstagramFacebook
Metropolitan Family Service
Metropolitan Family Service
Moving Lives Forward
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • THE TEAM
      • Board of Directors
      • Leadership Team
    • THE DETAILS
      • Annual Report
      • Diversity Commitment
      • Financials
      • Grant Announcements
      • FAQ
    • PICTURE THIS
      • Gallery
      • News
  • What We Do
    • ALL PROGRAMS
    • Community Schools
    • Economic Empowerment
    • Hunger Relief
    • MFS AARP Foundation Experience Corps
    • MFS AmeriCorps
    • MFS CASH Oregon
    • Project Linkage
    • Ready, Set, Go!
    • Social Purpose Works
  • Get Involved
    • ATTEND AN EVENT
      • A Gathering of Good
      • Classic Wines Foundation
    • MAKE A DONATION
      • Leave a Legacy
      • Become a Sponsor
    • JOIN THE TEAM
      • AmeriCorps
      • AmeriCorps VISTA
      • Volunteer
      • Employment
  • DONATE
MENU CLOSE back  

Older Mentors Open Books, Hearts for OR Kids

Reading Together

Oregonians from two generations are learning by pairing older volunteers with children who need extra help with reading, writing and math.

The AARP Experience Corps places tutors in high-need classrooms around the country, including seven districts in the Portland metro area.

Jessica McLaren, AARP Experience Corps program coordinator for Metropolitan Family Service, says the volunteers get high marks. More than 90 percent of teachers surveyed said the Experience Corps tutors improved students’ participation, concentration and reading skills.

McLaren says the children like them, too.

“They love it,” she says. “We’re in Title One schools, so our schools have higher poverty and many of the challenges that you might see in some of those communities. And so, to have another caring adult and a stable adult relationship is only a joy for the kid to have, to get that extra attention and support.”

About 60 adults work in 10 schools in Oregon, and more will be recruited this spring for the next school year, for kindergarten through third grade. Teaching experience isn’t necessary, and tutors who commit to spending 15 hours a week are eligible for a stipend.

In the same survey, 98 percent of the tutors said their work helps keep them physically and mentally active.

Compared to the corporate world, Liz Wade says it’s great to work with people who are happy to see her every morning and want to give her a hug at the end of the day. She tutors kindergarteners in southeast Portland.

“They’re wise beyond their years,” she says. “They tell it like it is.

“They still like adults, they still need that one-on-one attention, but they’re sponges. They love to learn. And it’s just been so much fun to watch their faces light up when they get a new concept.”

Some tutors mentor students one-on-one. Others work with small groups.

Carol Batista, a retired social worker, has been in the Experience Corps for four years. She says she’s also learned a lot as a tutor at her neighborhood elementary school, and even wishes she’d been a teacher.

“I love the teachers, I love the little kids,” she says. “It’s an interesting mix of kids. We have kids that have never spoken English until they walk through the front door. So, it’s the commitment to the community, but it’s also an eye-opening experience for me.”

Nationally, AARP Experience Corps has placed more than 1,700 tutors in almost 1,300 classrooms.

Written by: Chris Thomas, Public News Service – OR

– See more at: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/36278-1#sthash.miCSCr5Z.dpuf

February 13, 2014
FacebookshareTwittertweetGoogle+share
Classic Wines Auction Presents $738,333 to Metropolitan Family ServiceCheryl Myers is this year’s recipient of the Provocateur Award

Related posts

Electric Vehicles
Ways to Work – Electric Vehicle Program
March 3, 2023
CASH Oregon
MFS Cash Oregon / Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation
September 16, 2022
MFS Hunger Relief on Fox 12
June 24, 2022
Buffalo memorial
Statement on Buffalo Tragedy
May 18, 2022
CASH Oregon
MFS Cash Oregon / Inuit Financial Freedom Foundation
April 15, 2022
Ukraine
March 10, 2022
  • AmeriCorps Home
  • Service Positions
  • Why Serve?
  • Resources
  • ⏩ Apply Now!
PROGRAMS
  • AARP Experience Corps
  • AmeriCorps
  • CASH Oregon
  • Community Schools
  • Economic Empowerment
  • Hunger Relief
  • Parent Education
  • Project Linkage
  • Ready, Set, Go!
  • Social Purpose Works
  • Ways to Work
  • Ways to Save
ABOUT MFS
  • Mission
  • Vision
  • History
  • Board of Directors
  • Leadership Team
  • Annual Report
  • Financials
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Board Login
  • Staff Login
  • Diversity Commitment
EVENTS

CONTACT
Metropolitan Family Service PO Box 24041
Seattle, WA 98124
Note: Please send all mail to the address above. Our services and offices are still based in the Portland metro area.

(503) 232-0007


Find us on:

FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagram
Metropolitan Family Service
©2019 and  ©2017 Metropolitan Family Service
  • Website Credits
Bottom Navigation