Page 5 - Donlin Fall Newsletter

A PARTNERSHIP WITH A PURPOSE
By RurAL CAP Staff
Alaska Elder Mentors, a nationally recognized Senior Corps Program, places lower-income Elders as volunteers in their local schools. Elders bring wisdom, values and culture into the classroom to complement the learning process, and often fill the role of a trusted and caring adult in the lives of the students they serve. For more than five years, Donlin Gold has supported RurAL CAP’s Elder Mentors Program. Through their generous support, RurAL CAP has been able to increase the program’s footprint in Western Alaska.
The program is designed to provide meaningful opportunities for Elders, learning enrichment for school-aged kids and enhanced classroom support for community schools.
During the 2019-2020 school year, teaching staff reported that 95% of pre-kindergarten children improved in social- emotional kindergarten readiness
as a result of support from Elders
in their classrooms, and 98% of
K-12th grade students improved in academic engagement. These are
key accomplishments that support a student’s overall success in school and graduation goals.
One teacher tells us: “Kudos to your program!!! It is so needed in our community! Please expand it to as many schools as possible. Our children need Elder mentors – it is incredibly valuable.”
While the ongoing pandemic has created uncertainty in educational systems, and classroom educational delivery, Donlin’s continued financial and in-kind contributions have created certainty. Through their support, the
program will be able to quickly and efficiently return to the classroom, and resume enhanced support for Alaskan students, when it is safe to do so.
RurAL CAP is proud to offer this program throughout Alaska. The Elder Mentors Program supports Elders, teachers and children, which serves as an investment in Alaska’s past, present and future. Donlin Gold’s partnership plays a vital role in the program’s success.
Elders interested in participating in the Elder Mentors program can contact RurAL CAP at:
Email: eldermentors@ruralcap.org
Phone: (907) 865-7276
Online Application: https://ruralcap.org/client-services/ health-well-being/elder-mentor-program/
Photo by Ted Irvin
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