Music up and throughout.
Open on a school bookshelf.
Cut to Sharon walking into school.
Cut to shot of sign saying: “Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 School”
Sharon: I’m Sharon Justis; I’m a retired clinical social worker, and I decided after I retired that I wanted to do something for the community that was long-term and now I’m going into my fifth year.
Cut to shot of Sharon speaking, then cut to her looking for a book.
Onscreen text: Sharon Justis Volunteer tutor with AARP Foundation Experience Corps
Onscreen text: AARP Foundation Experience Corps helps children become better readers by the end of 3rd grade. It does this by engaging highly trained older adults as tutors and mentors.
Cut to background shot of classroom.
Cut back to Sharon, then cut to shot of children cheering at school.
Cut to shot of Sharon reading with student.
Sharon: The thing that I look forward to is coming to school and knowing that I’m going to be working with students. Sooner or later almost everything you do, including a math problem – you may have to read it first. So I want them to buy into the reading.
Cut to shot of Sharon speaking and then helping student, then Sharon speaking, then back to helping student.
Sharon: It’s amazing to see students when the lightbulb goes on, and when they’re reading something for the very first time.
Cut to shot of student.
Student: A dog can make them smile.
Sharon: Okay, good!
Cut to background shot of classroom.
Onscreen text:
Experience Corps is a “triple win” for students, schools, and volunteers.
Students improve their reading fluency and social emotional skills.
Schools see greater teacher retention and better classroom climates.
Volunteers feel uplifted and engaged.
Cut back to Sharon.
Sharon: Experience Corps has been a great experience for me. The benefit of working with the children and what I’ve learned from them is we get as much out of it as the children. It helps you stay healthy. It gets you out of the house. And it also gives me the energy to keep myself healthy.
Cut to children playing with blocks, then cut to Sharon walking across playground.
Cut to Sharon talking and then cut to kids and adults working in a classroom. Then cut to Sharon walking and following a child.
Sharon: Volunteering has made me feel more connected to my community. I’m working with the school; I’m working with young people – this is our future. And so I plan on doing this for as long as I can.
Cut to shot of adults around a table laughing, then other shots tutoring happening. Then cut back to Sharon talking.
Cut to background shot of school library.
Onscreen text:
With support from UnitedHealthcare, AARP Foundation Experience Corps services thousands of students across the nation. Be part of its journey of success.
aarpfoundation.org/experiencecorps
AARP Foundation Logo UnitedHealthcare logo
