FEDERAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

The Corporation for National and Community Service offers several interesting volunteer programs for older adults under the administration of Senior Corps.

SENIOR CORP

Senior Corps utilizes the talents and skills of older Americans in solving our most pressing social problems. More than half a million Americans over the age of fifty five serve their communities under its three programs.

RSVP is one of the largest volunteer programs in the country. Operating under grants to local organizations, RSVP refers volunteers to a variety of service projects within their communities such as crime prevention, mentoring, and environmental services. Assignments range from a few hours a month to full time, with an average commitment of four hours a week. RSVP volunteers make important contributions to their communities and are rewarded with a strong sense of their own personal worth. Volunteers may receive reimbursement for meals and transportation and volunteer insurance coverage.

Senior Companions provides low income Americans, sixty years of age or older, the opportunity to serve twenty hours a week providing one–to–one care and companionship for homebound elderly. They visit, share meals, help with grocery shopping, paying bills, or trips to the doctors. Because of their efforts thousands of elderly Americans are able to live with dignity in their own homes. Along with the reward of being needed and appreciated, volunteers receive a modest stipend, annual physical examinations, accident and liability insurance during service and are reimbursed for transportation and meals

Foster Grandparents put their life experience to work serving the needs of at-risk children and youth with special needs under this volunteer program. They serve as mentors, tutors and caregivers helping emotionally disturbed, physically handicapped, developmentally disabled, troubled or abandoned children live better lives. The Foster Grandparents volunteer program is open to limited income adults sixty years of age or older. It requires a twenty hour a week commitment with a modest stipend to offset volunteering costs. Volunteers are reimbursed for meals and transportation during service and receive an annual physical exam and accident and liability insurance while on duty.

THE PEACE CORPS

When President Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, our generation was the first to answer his call. Now, after more than 190,000 volunteers have served in one hundred and thirty six countries around the globe, the Peace Corps is still actively seeking our services.

We are more capable then ever of implementing the vision of the 60’s. Backed by solid skills and experience, the idealism of our youth has matured into more realistic expectations. Freed from the responsibilities of work and family, we can more readily take on a two year commitment.

Since we first considered joining the Peace Corps, new challenges face the world. Today Peace Corps volunteers fight AIDS, teach basic computer literacy and address the changing needs of business, agriculture, health and environment.

But the Peace Corps is not for everyone. Only the hardy and adventurous need apply. It means being very far from home and family for two years, in rugged living conditions. It also means the once-in-a-lifetime experience of offering tools to those less fortunate, so they may help themselves.