Generations of Giving: How Senior Volunteers are Making a Difference at Fields Road ES

What started as a simple question, “How can we help?” has turned into a special partnership between Fields Road Elementary School and The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center. After Carnegie residents reached out to Principal Joshua Williams to see how they could support the school, he created a way to connect the residents with their neighborhood community.

“Volunteering as a senior citizen with the autism class at Fields Road is a high point of my week,” said Carnegie Volunteer, Bob Karp. “It's a great way to give back to the school community and help the teachers and provide a change of pace for the kids. As for me, it provides a way of feeling needed and useful. It's a WIN WIN!”

Each week, 14 volunteers from The Carnegie come to Fields Road to support a wide range of activities from reading and literacy support to math help, from small-group work to specials. 

“Volunteering to read with children in elementary school is a rewarding experience that fosters connection, learning and joy not only for the student but also for the volunteer," said Carnegie Volunteer, Pat Berman. “It is exciting to witness a child’s confidence develop as well as participate in the growth of their literary skills.”

Students share that enthusiasm about working with her and the other volunteers, saying: 

• "I like to read with Pat because she makes me a better reader of 'Dogman'."
• "She (Pat) makes me feel like I am the best and that I am a leader."
• "I like to work with them (the volunteers) because my parents say I'm a good reader and I want to show people."
• "He's (Joe) really kind and helpful with sounding out words."

Volunteer support also extends beyond the classroom with residents supporting Kindergarten Orientation, going on field trips, sponsoring school t-shirts for every student and providing lunch to staff for Teacher Appreciation Week. 

The partnership highlights the power of intergenerational engagement, showing students and staff that you’re never too old to make a difference or make meaningful community connections.

“The impact of having Ms. Gorman, a Carnegie volunteer, extends far beyond the tasks she completes during her weekly volunteer time,” says Katherine Frederick, Reading Specialist. “A wonderful example begins with the task of folding and stapling pages to make a book, a task she frequently completes. It continues with a student practicing with a teacher to read that book and transforms into a student reading that book to their family or caregiver. Her willingness to share her time and her talents initiates a cycle of giving and receiving that reaches our teachers, students, and families.”