VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
Achieve Pinal and AARP Experience Corps Reading Program are looking for volunteer tutors. Volunteers must be aged 50 and older and be able to pass a background check. No other experience needed! If this sounds like something you’re be interested in please click the link below for more information.
AARP Foundation Experience Corps is an intergenerational volunteer-based tutoring program that is proven to help children who aren’t reading at grade level become great readers by the end of third grade. We inspire and empower adults 50 and older to serve in their community and disrupt the cycle of poverty by making a lasting difference in the lives of America’s most vulnerable children.
The Experience Corps model is a proven intervention with measurable benefits for students, as well as positive mental and physical health benefits for volunteers who participate. By helping young students become better readers, Experience Corps seeks to ensure a lasting legacy of strong futures, supported schools and empowered volunteers.
The Achieve Pinal Experience Corps is committed to serving Casa Grande, Stanfield, Coolidge, Eloy, Toltec/AZ City, Maricopa, JO Combs, Apache Junction, and Superior public school districts. Our program has the support of the cities in which it operates, as well as Pinal County and the Pinal Alliance for Economic Growth (PAEG) through our Achieve Pinal committee. If you are interested in becoming a part of this valuable program, we invite you to contact Patti King, Executive Manager at PAEG by calling 520-836-6868.
Learn How to Become an AARP Foundation
Experience Corps Volunteer (Age 50+)
Check out this Zoom recording of a volunteer informational session
Start today by completing a volunteer application!
Make A Lasting Impact
Low childhood literacy has negative long-term consequences, and three-fourths of Arizona's third-graders do not read proficiently. Statistics show that children who are not able to read at grade level by fourth grade are four times more likely not to graduate from high school, and this can contribute to a cycle of poverty.
Join A Strong Partnership
Achieve Pinal, the first rural affiliate to introduce Experience Corps to Pinal County, is currently collaborating with partners and host communities to recruit community-minded individuals aged 50 and over. This program was first implemented in the City of Casa Grande and the Casa Grande District during the initial stages of the COVID pandemic. Thanks to the unwavering support from our leaders and neighboring communities, namely Pinal Alliance for Economic Growth- Achieve Pinal Committee, Read On Arizona, and Education Forward Arizona, we have been able to expand our services to a total of 9 school districts, covering approximately 24-26 elementary schools. Our dedicated volunteers will serve as in-person or virtual academic tutors in the Achieve Pinal Experience Corps Reading Program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Volunteer Manager, Kaitlin Burks at kaitlin@achievepinal.org or 520-634-8938 OR Program Manager, Mike Bonafilia at mike@achievepinal.org or 520-833-6386.
In The News
AARP Reading Program Reaping Results with Casa Grande Kids
An article published Sunday in the Casa Grande Dispatch (23K) states AARP Foundation Experience Corps “continues to garner success in helping elementary school-age students overcome reading difficulties.” Program manager Caryl Chase “said the results were extremely heartening.” The article highlights several volunteers with the program. Learn more and find additional articles mentioning EC at https://theeclink.com/news/in-the-media/.
AARP reading program set to expand in Pinal
Advisory board Chairman Jerry Stabley told PinalCentral that since the program began in 2020 it has tutored a total of 637 students, and the past academic year produced solid results.
In the 2023-24 year, Stabley said 83% of the students progressed one grade level in ability and 38% stepped up to at least two grade levels. “Our goal always when we started the program over five years ago was to be able to offer it to all the school districts within Pinal County because Achieve Pinal and the Pinal Alliance (for Economic Growth) seeks to serve everybody within the county,” said Stabley, who said the expansion has been greatly assisted by a grant given by Gov. Katie Hobbs’s office. Read more here.
Proven Results
Results from multiple independent evaluations prove that Experience Corps leads to significant reading gains for students who have struggled with reading. Click on the link to open the volunteer application and apply today!
For more information:
For inquiries on general Program Management:
Mike Bonafilia, Program Manager
Achieve Pinal Experience Corps
Phone: 520-833-6386
Email: mike@achievepinal.org
For inquiries on becoming a volunteer:
Kaitlin Burks, Volunteer Manager
Achieve Pinal Experience Corps
Phone: 520-634-8938
Email: kaitlin@achievepinal.org
Social Media
Connect with Achieve Pinal Experience Corps on social media.
THANK YOU to the Rotary Club of Casa Grande!!
Corporate Donors
Donate Today
Make a donation to the 3rd Grade reading program! Donations made via this link are directed to our education-based 501c(3) entity, Central Arizona Regional Economic Development Foundation (CAREDF). Check donations to CAREDF are also tax deductible and may be mailed to CAREDF at 17235 N. 75th Avenue, Suite D145, Glendale, AZ 85308. Your support is greatly appreciated.
