Volunteer Spotlight: Elva Fosh from AARP Foundation Experience Corps

Elva Fosh, literacy tutor/team leader and literacy booster, is the center of our spotlight for AARP Foundation Experience Corps and Greater Cleveland Volunteers.

Although a recent volunteer (August 2014) she had made great strides in embracing her volunteer efforts and creating a positive atmosphere. Elva has encouraged implementation of projects across grade levels with slight modifications that challenged the higher performing students. Not only did she help the students to achieve, but also encouraged the tutors to work together and recognize one another’s contributions.

A mother of four, grandmother of nine and great grandmother of two, Elva had the feeling to do more for herself and the community. She turned to Greater Cleveland Volunteers and instantly knew tutoring would fill that role.

“I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way to the community and knew working with children would have the most impact,” said Fosh.

Recently, Elva began helping a friend take care of her grandchild. Not long after, her friend’s health issues made it unable to remain the sole guardian, Elva stepped in to lend an even bigger hand. She didn’t want the child to lose the progress she had been making in school so she suggested becoming the child’s legal guardian. This allowed her help to continue for a seamless transition. Elva credits the training and support she received from AARP Foundation Experience Corps in supporting her decision to accept this challenge. She felt more comfortable to help with studying and homework, among other things. Elva had plenty of support from her family.

Not only is Fosh generous and caring, but she gets her work done. She is relied on for several tasks, including training, paperwork, communications, promotions and meeting deadlines. She leads by example and shows children the respect she would expect them to show others in the school.

“She remains humble and shares the credit with her team far more than she takes for herself,” said Michael Milanich, pilot program coordinator for AARP Foundation Experience Corps, Greater Cleveland Volunteers. “Because of who she is naturally, Elva impacts everyone she meets as positively as she possibly can. It’s just who she is.”

Elva Fosh is the epitome of the perfect volunteer and the AARP Foundation Experience Corps and Greater Cleveland Volunteers are more than lucky to have her on their team.