Senior Citizens Making A Difference in Classrooms

They told us what it was like to work inside a big business, or what it was like to save a life. Or how you take care of your money and yourself. People volunteering their time and expertise to better Baltimore city schools.

These volunteers have reached out to city students who have really needed the help. They are members of Baltimore's Experience Corps and they will be honored for their service Tuesday morning at city hall.

The volunteers begin their 10th year, helping students in the classroom. Experience Corps is one of 22 in the nation. The group places older adult volunteers in high-need elementary schools.
Baltimore city's experience corps started in 1999 with just six schools, now more than 300 volunteers reach out to about 20 schools. Researchers at Johns Hopkins came up with the idea.

The city council president and other officials will be on hand to honor the volunteers.

Baltimore city's most experienced mentors got a big thank you for the difference they're making in the lives of school children. Volunteers with Experience Corps were honored at a ceremony at city hall Tuesday morning.

The volunteers, all senior citizens, spend time in Baltimore city classrooms, helping children achieve their potential. The program is in its 10th year.

Audrey Weems became a volunteer 4 years ago. She says, "I see beautiful changes. They come in sometimes and they seem tight... And we have a tendency to help them to loosen up and be conducive for learning and helping themselves."

Experience Corps has more than 300 volunteers working at 20 inner city schools.