AmeriCorps Seniors

Program Overview

RurAL CAP’s Elder Mentor and Senior Companion Programs, part of the AmeriCorps Seniors initiative, provide vital support to both children and older adults across Alaska. Our programs engage individuals aged 55 and older, offering opportunities to serve local communities while receiving training, support, and a small stipend for their service.

Two Distinct Service Tracks

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Elder Mentor Program

Volunteers assist youth as mentors, tutors, lunch buddies, or culture bearers in educational settings.

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Senior Companion Program

Volunteers support older adults through companionship, transportation to appointments, wellness checks, and caregiver respite.

Who We Serve

Empowering Alaskans 55+ to Serve Locally. The programs engage individuals aged 55 and older to support children and seniors in their own communities. Volunteers serve at nearby schools, Head Starts, clinics, and nonprofits, offering mentorship, companionship, and essential services like tutoring, transportation, and respite care.

Services Provided

Meaningful Support with Tangible Benefits. Volunteers commit to a minimum of 5 hours per week and receive a small tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, and training. This structure ensures consistent service delivery while recognizing and supporting the volunteers’ contributions.

Apply Now

Download and print application

The AmeriCorps Seniors Program supports volunteers 55 and older across the state who serve youth or other older adults in their community. We form partnerships with schools, Head Starts, afterschool programs, health clinics, tribes, government agencies, and non-profits to place volunteers and set up meaningful volunteer opportunities. Volunteers serve a minimum of 5 hours per week in order to ensure consistency of service delivery. Volunteers are placed locally in their community at sites they can reach either by walking, driving, or public transportation. Volunteers receive a small tax-free stipend for their service, mileage reimbursement, and training.

Currently we offer two types of volunteer service: Elder Mentor and Senior Companion. The Elder Mentor program serves schools and Head Starts across the state. Volunteers serve as one-on-one mentors, lunch buddies, reading and math tutors or culture bearers. The Senior Companion program aims to serve seniors in three areas: transportation, companionship, and respite services. Volunteers are assigned clients in their communities who could use extra support in any of the three above areas. Volunteers may drive clients to doctors appointments, perform health and wellness checks on clients, visit and play games with clients, or provide full time caregivers with a break during the day.

If you know someone who could benefit from a Senior Companion volunteer, there is a client referral form below.

See the below links to find out how to apply as either a host site or a volunteer. We accept volunteers on a rolling basis. For more information reach out to the contact details below.

AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of AmeriCorps.

Visit the Elder Mentor Website

Program Website

Resources & Links

For more information call 907.717.7932 or email [email protected]

Senior Companion Fact Sheet

Elder Mentor Fact Sheet

Printable AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Application

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