FAQs - Parentis Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AARP Foundation Experience Corps volunteer program model?

Experience Corps sites across the country have built a strong partnership with school districts and principals. Experience Corps works with schools and after-school programs in which a majority of students are reading below grade level. In Orange County, we operate the Experience Corps reading tutoring program in Boys & Girls Clubs and elementary schools.

Highly trained volunteer tutors assist students two days a week throughout the school year.
one-on-one or in small groups
30-minute literacy support sessions
Tutors provide up to three thirty-minute sessions twice weekly.

How is AARP Foundation Experience Corps different from other tutoring programs?

Experience Corps specifically recruits adults who are 50+ years of age to be tutors. We believe that by making full use of the wealth of work experiences, life experiences, skills, and abilities of our volunteers, children, schools and the community benefit.

Our volunteers are praised for their consistency, dedication, and reliability.
On-going training and support of our volunteers is another key component of the program.

Who are our volunteers?

Our volunteers are the centerpiece of the Experience Corps program. They are truly local heroes, women, and men devoting up to 5 hours each week for an entire school year to assist struggling students in their community.

They come with a wealth of different work and life experiences and have education backgrounds ranging from High School to advanced degrees.
Volunteer tutors also benefit from increased socialization with peers, and are happier and healthier than adults who do not choose to volunteer.

What type of training does a tutor receive?

Volunteer tutors receive a minimum of 25 hours of training, prior to and during the school year. Since the program focus is on early literacy skills for kindergarten through third grades much of the training centers on reading fluency and comprehension skills utilizing accompanying activities and materials.

Volunteer tutors also are trained in:

child development
tutoring strategies
behavior management
other skills important to their success with students