The Eisner Foundation Selects AARP Experience Corps To Receive 2nd Annual Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence

CLEVELAND, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Eisner Foundation formally announced the selection of Washington, D.C. and San Francisco / Oakland, CA-based AARP Experience Corps / Experience Corps Bay Area, for the second annual Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence. The organization provides opportunities for older Americans to help improve literacy skills among students in kindergarten through third grade in 19 communities across the United States.  The Prize, established in 2011, recognizes individuals or non-profits for their efforts to unite multiple generations – especially seniors and youth – to bring about positive, lasting changes in their communities. 

AARP Experience Corps / Experience Corps Bay Area received a $100,000 grant, to be applied as they choose towards their organization's activities; additionally, The Eisner Foundation will work with AARP Experience Corps leadership toward replicating some of its programming in Los Angeles, where The Eisner Foundation (www.eisnerfoundation.org) is based.  Six other Eisner Prize finalists each received a $5,000 grant.

"Maintaining the highest levels of education and literacy are among our country's top challenges, and through innovative programs like that offered by AARP Experience Corps, our communities are rising to meet those challenges," said Michael D. Eisner.  "By bringing together older Americans with students who may be struggling in subjects like reading and writing, the volunteers at AARP Experience Corps have demonstrated our nation's ability to identify and help solve problems endemic to society, and we are proud to select them for the Prize."

"We are deeply honored and grateful to receive the Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence," said Lester Strong, CEO, AARP Experience Corps. "Every day our older adult, volunteer members work hard at making sure the younger generation – specifically those in kindergarten through third grade – gets the extra help they need in reading literacy. This prestigious award will help shine a spotlight on the valuable work of each and every tutor in many traditionally underserved schools and communities."

"We commend the work of AARP Experience Corps and also the work done by all of our finalists," said Jane Eisner, President of The Eisner Foundation, "It's our sincere hope that The Eisner Prize continues to influence and inspire other organizations to promote an intergenerational approach to problem-solving."

"When we conceived The Eisner Prize, our goal was to help identify, publicize, and reward organizations that bring together different generations to help improve their communities, and AARP Experience Corps embodies the spirit and innovation of the Prize," said Trent Stamp, Executive Director of The Eisner Foundation. 

The Eisner Prize is a national award, open to anyone or any group working in the United States.   This year, AARP Experience Corps / Experience Corps Bay Area were presented with their award during the annual Grantmakers in Aging conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

The other finalists selected by The Eisner Foundation included DOROT, Inc. of New York City; Generations United in Washington, D.C.; Grandparents as Parents in Canoga Park, California; The Intergenerational School in Cleveland, Ohio; Neighbors Growing Together in Blacksburg, VA; and The Northland Foundation's AGE to Age Program in Duluth, Minnesota. 

About AARP Experience Corps / Experience Corps Bay Area

AARP Experience Corps matches the experience and talent of thousands of older Americans with elementary schools in 19 local communities, including Northern California.  A truly innovative model, AARP Experience Corps is the only national program that provides an intensive level of reading intervention from older volunteers within a standardized practice.  Caring, mature volunteers provide a strong commitment to children, high quality tutoring skills, and are dedicated to building trust and rapport with students and teachers.  Please visit www.aarp.org/experiencecorps to see a short informational video about AARP Experience Corps.

About The Eisner Foundation

Founded in 1996 by Michael and Jane Eisner and their family, The Eisner Foundation exists to provide access and opportunity for children and the aging in Los Angeles County. The Foundation gives philanthropic support and counsel to exceptionally-run non-profit organizations working to create lasting positive changes in the lives of at-risk and disadvantaged seniors and children in the Los Angeles community. By making grants of over $7 million annually, the goal of The Eisner Foundation is simply to help Los Angeles be a place that protects and nurtures the region's most vulnerable citizens. To learn more about The Eisner Foundation, please visit www.eisnerfoundation.org.

SOURCE The Eisner Foundation