About
AARP Foundation Experience Corps is a volunteer program that trains people over 50 to tutor students to become better readers by the end of third grade. Volunteers help elementary kids improve their reading skills and help kids become better readers before the end of their third-grade year. Training and ongoing support are provided to volunteers.
• Ages: 8–10 years old
AARP Foundation Experience Corps is an AmeriCorps National, Volunteer Generation Fund and VISTA grantee and receives funds through their AmeriCorps National and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, with additional support from the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program. The program is proven to improve students’ reading skills and builds critical social and emotional skills students need for successful learning. During the 2023–2024 school year, 1,284 senior volunteers helped 3,659 kids to become better readers before the end of their third-grade year, and among 2,573 students with at least two test scores, 95.3% showed improvement on at least one key metric. The program is a unique volunteer opportunity for older adults, and 98% of volunteer tutors reported that Experience Corps helped them stay physically and mentally active and build digital and workforce skills, 96% reported feeling better about themselves, and more than 85% felt their lives had improved because of their involvement. AARP Foundation’s mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. AARP Foundation Experience Corps is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and strictly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability (mental or physical), political affiliation, marital or parental status, reprisal, genetic information (including family medical history) or military service, and operates its Experience Corps program in accordance with applicable non-discrimination requirements.
Last updated February 28, 2026.
• Ages: 8–10 years old
AARP Foundation Experience Corps is an AmeriCorps National, Volunteer Generation Fund and VISTA grantee and receives funds through their AmeriCorps National and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, with additional support from the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program. The program is proven to improve students’ reading skills and builds critical social and emotional skills students need for successful learning. During the 2023–2024 school year, 1,284 senior volunteers helped 3,659 kids to become better readers before the end of their third-grade year, and among 2,573 students with at least two test scores, 95.3% showed improvement on at least one key metric. The program is a unique volunteer opportunity for older adults, and 98% of volunteer tutors reported that Experience Corps helped them stay physically and mentally active and build digital and workforce skills, 96% reported feeling better about themselves, and more than 85% felt their lives had improved because of their involvement. AARP Foundation’s mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. AARP Foundation Experience Corps is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and strictly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability (mental or physical), political affiliation, marital or parental status, reprisal, genetic information (including family medical history) or military service, and operates its Experience Corps program in accordance with applicable non-discrimination requirements.
Last updated February 28, 2026.
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