A lifetime of service: josie’s dedication to helping kids

At a time when many of her friends are living a quiet life, Josephine “Josie” Watson’s days can get busy and loud. She loves it that way. Throughout her active life, Josie has been dedicated

to service. After an early career in various civil service positions, she spent five years as a corrections officer while working toward a degree in law enforcement. She switched gears in

1979 and started a job at the United States Postal Service, advancing through the ranks until she retired in 2006. The job allowed her to spend more time with her young children and finish

her degree in human services. Now, Josie gives her time and talent to Literations, a Boston-based program partner of AARP Foundation Experience Corps. “I am passionate about underserved

children,” she says, “so I knew I wanted to do something to help them after my retirement.” Experience Corps pairs older adult volunteers with students in grades 1–4 to help them read at

grade level. Josie has volunteered for the program at Literations for 12 years, and she’s still thrilled to show her students the power of reading. “I love volunteering because it allows me

to have a positive impact on children’s lives,” Josie says. “Being a part of a community that cares about our children is so important to me, and helping students succeed academically is

incredibly rewarding.” Josie volunteers for the Experience Corps program because she believes literacy increases potential. “When I started in 2011, I was surprised by how many students

already had labels and carried self-doubt,” she explains. “It became my mission to help them.” She observes that students need individual attention; the teachers are dedicated, but they’re

overwhelmed. “Volunteers play an important role,” she says. “They provide one-on-one support and can personalize the lessons. That way, each child gets the focus they deserve.” Sometimes,

Josie thinks, it’s as simple as letting children know that someone cares about and has confidence in them. She says she was a mediocre student who felt overlooked much of the time. It’s not

surprising, then, that she finds so much fulfillment in making sure her students feel seen. “Volunteering is not just about giving back,” she insists. “It’s about helping others believe in

themselves.” There are other benefits, too, like staying mentally sharp. “It challenges my mind,” she says, “and it keeps me connected to the community.” Josie has given 5,057 hours of

service as a reading tutor and site team leader. So far, she’s supported 33 students and has mentored 56 volunteers at the elementary schools where she’s volunteered. She recently received

the 2024 President's Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteerism, honoring her positive impact on the community. But the effects of Josie’s volunteer work go far beyond the hours she’s

logged or the number of children she’s helped. By letting her students know they can achieve greatness, she shows them a reason to believe — not just in themselves but in their future. LEARN

MORE ABOUT AARP FOUNDATION EXPERIENCE CORPS AND HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER. _Read more stories__ about how our programs have helped people find hope, and about the volunteers who give so

much of themselves to help others._