Spotlight Encore Cleveland: Volunteer!

← Back to Blog January 7, 2019 by Aging Purposefully, Leadership Development
Larry Jemison works on reading skills with a student seated next to him
AARP Foundation Experience Corps literacy tutor Larry Jemison works with a student.

Launched in 2013 by the Cleveland Foundation, Encore Cleveland helps to connect and fund a network of organizations to provide experienced Greater Clevelanders an array of meaningful opportunities in the community upon retirement or near the end of their primary careers. In our “Spotlight Encore Cleveland” guest blog series, we go behind-the-scenes to explore programs offered through the Encore Cleveland network. In this blog, learn about volunteering with the Greater Cleveland Volunteers AARP Foundation Experience Corps, one of many opportunities available through Encore Cleveland:

Greater Cleveland Volunteers has 46 years of experience and relationships with 100+ nonprofit agencies in Cuyahoga County offering a broad range of volunteer opportunities. There are volunteer opportunities to fit every interest, including:

  • Working with children
  • Assisting in local hunger centers
  • Providing support to seniors
  • Mentoring/tutoring adults
  • Serving at arts and cultural organizations
  • Improving the environment
  • Executing office-related/administrative tasks

Featured volunteer program:

AARP FOUNDATION EXPERIENCE CORPS

“Most of our volunteers age 50+ enjoy spending their time tutoring children in both during and after-school literacy programs. For the during-school tutoring we are in eight schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and four schools in the Euclid City School District. This year we partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland to help in two of their after-school programs in Cleveland.” Joy Banish, executive director, Greater Cleveland Volunteers explains.

Terri Fedak stands with award

Encore Cleveland volunteer Terri Fedak with an award she received.

Terri Fedak has been an AARP Foundation Experience Corps literacy tutor for 17 years. Why does she come back? Terri tells us, “That’s easy, it’s the children. Each year presents itself with new students, new materials and new successes. It’s heartwarming to see their smiles when they can read and understand more.”

“I was a complainer about poor schools. After retiring I saw my chance to actually do something about it,” says Larry Jemison, an AARP Foundation Tutor for 8 years. Larry spends two days a week for 2-3 hours reviewing sight words with students, and he feels he’s having a direct impact improving their education.

Was becoming more active in 2019 one of your resolutions? Volunteering? Doing something new? Call Greater Cleveland Volunteers and discover YOUR New Year!

Greater Cleveland Volunteers

216-391-9500 x 2116

greaterclevelandvolunteers.org