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Who Are the Children We Serve?
Generations Incorporated recruits older adults to serve within
their communities as mentors to struggling youth. Here's a snapshot
of one of our volunteers:
Elizabeth Sorenson, Experience Corps volunteer
After 68 years of experience living and working in the communities
of Dorchester and Roxbury, Experience Corps volunteer Elizabeth
Sorenson knows first hand that reading is the key to success. Born
and raised in Roxbury, Elizabeth came to appreciate the value of
the written word early. “I am an avid reader,” she says.
“[Growing up] we were poor, but there was a large library
in my house. I had a thirst for knowledge.”
Armed with the written word, Elizabeth dedicated her life to fostering
this thirst for knowledge in others. Her interest in promoting literacy
led to a career in social services. For six months, Elizabeth voluntarily
went on welfare and lived in a ghetto to come face to face with
the issues that affect homeless and low-income residents of Boston.
She then proceeded to work at homeless shelters, including serving
for 20 years at the Pine Street Inn. She also began lobbying at
the statehouse for increased support for programs that alleviate
the effects of poverty and addiction.
Elizabeth’s career was cut short due to a battle with cancer.
After undergoing a laryngectomy it became clear that taking such
a vocal role in the social services arena was no longer possible.
However, she was quick to seize a new opportunity to make a difference.
She became a Reading Coaches volunteer for Generations Incorporated.
She now reads 4 days a week with students at the Blackstone School
and the St. Stephen’s Afterschool program, helping children
to become fully literate and instilling in her students the same
passion for reading that she enjoys. About volunteering Elizabeth
says, “This has been the most enjoyable experience in my 10
years of retirement. My love of reading made coaching a fun experience;
it made an impact on the children.” When asked if she will
return next year Elizabeth says she will continue to make volunteering
with Generations Incorporated a regular part of her retirement,
because she knows that “getting children educated and able
to read is the future.”
Here's Looking at Experience Corps:
Click on the links below for more stories from our volunteers.
Ellen - Experience Corps volunteer
Katie - Experience Corps volunteer
at the Kenny School in Dorchester
Lisa - Experience Corps volunteer
at the Marshall School in Dorchester
Ralph - Experience Corps volunteer
Roger - Experience Corps volunteer
at the Marshall School in Dorchester
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