New name, same happy, helpful volunteers!
3 min readRSVP of Monroe County is now AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP. The change effectively took place in September 2020. This name change will not affect local programs offered. The main benefit comes from name recognition for the organization since the AmeriCorps name is more widely known.
For subscribers:How the pandemic fueled a retiree’s calling to serve his community| RSVP
The announcement would have normally been made at the annual volunteer recognition event held each fall. COVID restrictions forced the event, held in October, to be a “drive-thru,” rather than a traditional gathering. Volunteers were thanked with special gifts including AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP face masks, insulated bags, and a program that listed milestones, accomplishments, pictures, and letters of thanks from local politicians and businesses.
AmeriCorps, originally known as The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), is a federally funded program that was established in 1993. It is the only federal agency focused on community service and volunteerism. Its goal is to connect the community’s needs with local volunteers to meet the unique challenges of individual locations. The director is a Presidential appointee.
AmeriCorps Seniors is comprised of several programs such as RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions. AmeriCorps Seniors provides grants to be used in the six major areas of focus: Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Environmental Stewardship, Education, Healthy Futures, and Veterans & Military Members.
Nationwide, there are over 400 AmeriCorps Senior programs operating independently. Each office has a local sponsor. The Monroe County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the County Commissioners sponsor the local Monroe County AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP.
While the age requirement to be a volunteer at AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (as well as the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Program) is 55 and older, other programs through AmeriCorps have no age restrictions and, in fact, look to instill and encourage community service in college students and young adults.
It should be pointed out that even though the senior programs have a 55+ age minimum, the clients that are served by all the Americorps Senior RSVP program vary in age from babies to other seniors.
According to Merle Turitz, local AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP director, “We focus on the healthy future of those we serve. The aim is to keep seniors living independently and safely in their own homes. While we primarily focus on the senior community, like doing grocery shopping, delivering meals to the homebound, medical transportation, friendly visiting, and minor home repair, there are a multitude of other volunteer opportunities such as mentoring at-risk teens, school tutoring, reading to children, preparing taxes, career guidance, food pantries, general office work, enriching the lives of veterans, the homeless and other fragile populations, as well as maintaining community gardens, serving at hospitals, and so much more to keep seniors engaged in their community, stimulated, active, vital and relevant.”
Of course, COVID has made it necessary to redesign how some of these programs are carried out. There are still many opportunities to volunteer that are contactless and so helpful to those in need.
What makes AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP so special? The Volunteers!
With over 600 members here in Monroe County, there is such an array of talent and experience to share within our community. RSVP matches that experience to the needs of the community, placing people where their interests and talents lie. It is a win-win situation for both the volunteers and those we serve.
In a May 2012 article, a strong correlation between senior volunteers and their mental and physical health was recorded.
Specifically, it lists “lower mortality rates, lower rates of depression, fewer physical limitations, and higher levels of well-being” as some of the positive results of volunteer work.
The Mayo Clinic Health System echoed these findings in its article, dated May 2017.
They included a sense of purpose, teaching valuable skills, possibly reducing stress levels and increasing longevity, as well as a great way to meet people, foster new friendships, and network.
Volunteer work is so rewarding!
Won’t you consider joining AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP? For more information, go to AmeriCorps.gov/Serve/AmeriCorps-Seniors. Call Merle or Emily at the local Stroudsburg RSVP office at 570-420-3747 to learn about volunteer opportunities right here in Monroe County.
