When Dorothy Wilson retired after thirty years as a school librarian, she thought her days of helping others learn and grow were behind her, but life had other plans in store for this spirited 72-year-old. After feeling restless during her first few months of retirement, Dorothy discovered AmeriCorps Seniors, a program that matches older adults with volunteer opportunities in their communities. She signed up to help children with reading at the local elementary school, thinking she’d give a few hours a week to stay busy.
What started as a simple way to fill her time has blossomed into the most rewarding chapter of Dorothy’s life, as she now mentors struggling readers three days a week and has watched dozens of children discover their love for books. The shy second-grader who could barely sound out words now eagerly shares stories about the chapter books she’s reading, while the fidgety third-grader who once hated reading time now asks Dorothy for book recommendations. Dorothy says the children have given her more energy and purpose than she ever imagined possible, proving that sometimes the best adventures begin long after we think our story is supposed to end. At an age when many people are slowing down, Dorothy has found a way to speed up the dreams and confidence of the next generation.