Elder Mentor Program

10/07/2026

Wellness Wednesday!!! Do you like coloring? What is your favorite thing to color?

10/06/2026

What is your favorite Hot Drink for the cooler month? Let us know in the poll or the comments below!

Check out this Presentation designed by Celena.

10/05/2026

Memory Monday! Tell us about your favorite teacher...

10/02/2026

Meet Bessie Gonzalez! She is an Elder Mentor in Togiak, AK. She was interviewed recently for our newsletter for our Volunteer Highlight. Here is a snippet of the article:

Bessie and Sam [the school's Yupik & Subsistence teacher] have been teaching the students songs in Yupik. One student said that the songs were easier to sing in Yupik since they learned it that way before learning it in English. They recently did a recording of the students singing and let another elder in the village, who is not feeling well, listen to it. She had tears in her eyes as she listened to it hearing all of the young voices sing in Yupik and that she understood what they were singing.

10/01/2026

08/19/2026

Do you live in Dillingham, Bethel, or Juneau? Check out these new positions with our AmeriCorps Seniors Programs!

08/14/2026

Partner with us!
Are you interested in having an Elder Mentor at your school or youth serving organization? Elder Mentors can serve as one-on-one mentors or tutors in classrooms or as culture bearers passing down indigenous knowledge and languages to youth. Elder Mentor program volunteers shared their wisdom, time, and love with 1,439 youth across Alaska during the 2025-2026 school year.

08/04/2026

Making a difference at Klatt Elementary!

Mercedes started volunteering as an Elder Mentor at Klatt Elementary in the fall of 2023. She spends her time in the classroom helping out the teacher and working directly with the kids on their schoolwork.
She is a huge help to the students who speak Spanish, helping them understand their lessons and feel more confident. She’s basically a grandma figure in the classroom who makes sure every student gets the extra help they need to do well in school. Beyond just helping with schoolwork, Mercedes has become a familiar, friendly face that the kids look forward to seeing every day. By being there consistently, she builds real trust with the students, giving them a safe space to ask questions or practice their Spanish without feeling shy. Her presence doesn't just help the kids get better grades; it makes the whole classroom feel more like a community where every child feels seen and supported.

08/02/2026

Gemma “an absolute gem” at Scammon Bay School!

On a recent visit to Scammon Bay school, RurAL CAP staff had the opportunity to hang out in the Yupik classroom while the school prepared for their regular school schedule. Students flowed in and out of the classroom and main lobby area having breakfast and talking to their peers while we witnessed the relationships our volunteer, Gemma Akerelrea has come to make while serving. This is Gemma’s first year serving with us but you would never know that because before she was a volunteer, she taught at the school for over 23 years in the Yupik classrooms. She is now serving the children and even grandchildren of students she’s served in the past! Scammon Bay school calls Gemma, “An absolute Gem!”

07/29/2026

This past year we had 58 Elder Mentors and 13 Senior Companion volunteers serve throughout Alaska. Volunteers serve a minimum of 5 hours per week. Some of our host sites included:

Kodiak Area Native Association
Fairbanks Senior Center
Anchorage School District
Lower Yukon School District
Lower Kuskokwim School District
Kodiak Head Start
Kwethluk Head Start
Hospice of Homer
Mentasta Lake School

The Elder Mentor program mentored 1,439 youth and the Senior Companion program provided services to over 65 Alaskan Seniors. With 35 sites in total served. Volunteers served a total of 28,267 service hours!

Elder Mentors serve as one-on-one mentors in classrooms or as culture bearers passing down indigenous knowledge and languages to youth.

Senior Companion volunteers provided services in three main areas: Transportation, Companionship, and Respite Care. Volunteers may visit seniors in their homes, provide rides to appointments or meet with seniors in public spaces.