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Organization Spotlight - May 2006

Senior Corps allows volunteers older than 55 to serve in their community. It was created under the principle that older adults are a valuable resource to the community. More than 500,000 volunteers contribute their skills and abilities to provide support to individuals, nonprofit, faith-based, and other community organizations nationwide. Volunteers can support Senior Corps through the Foster Grandparents program, Senior Companions program, and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Foster Grandparents volunteers serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people with special needs. Senior Companions provide assistance to homebound seniors who have difficulty with daily tasks. RSVP connects Senior Corps volunteers to a diverse range of service opportunities. For example, volunteers can tutor children, teach English to immigrants, organize neighborhood watch programs, renovate homes, and assist victims of natural disasters. Through RSVP, more than 480,000 volunteers serve part-time to full-time hours a week. Using Senior Corps volunteers can potentially help organizations to meet their mission.

Senior Corps manages an online service to connect seniors with volunteer opportunities in their communities. The Web site lists information about opportunities for seniors available through Senior Corps programs and other opportunities at varied nonprofit organizations nationwide. Millions of potential volunteers can view opportunities by simply specifying their area of interest, zip code, or state. In addition, tracking online matches of individuals with volunteer opportunities can help leaders with volunteer management and training.

MRC leaders can recruit volunteers for their unit by posting opportunities on the Senior Corps Web-based recruitment system. In addition, Senior Corps provides grants to organizations that strengthen their communities by using senior volunteers. Grantees can use Federal funds to recruit, enroll, and manage volunteers.

For more information, visit the Senior Corps Web site.

Last Updated on 4/23/2009