FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
|
Corporation for National and Community Service
Contact: Jan Newsome
jnewsome@cns.gov
202 606 5000 x325 |
Senior Corps Seeks 100,000 Volunteers for America's Communities |
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Washington, D.C. — In a nationwide search for 100,000 volunteers
age 55 and over, Senior Corps of the Corporation for National and Community
Service (the Corporation) today launched Ask a Friend, Share Your Volunteer
Spirit, a campaign to recruit volunteers for activities that help support
and strengthen their communities.
"People age 55 and over have much to offer through their work
and personal life experiences. We want them to put those valuable skills and
experiences to good use in tackling some of the serious social problems in their
communities," said Tess Scannell, Director of Senior Corps. "Through this
campaign we're asking current volunteers to get their friends involved and
asking non-volunteers to just get involved." Scannell further states that
they're seeking 100,000 volunteers in response to a challenge to Senior Corps
from President Bush in his Call to Service message to all Americans.
Currently, more than half a million Senior Corps volunteers are
engaged in activities such as tutoring and mentoring children with special
needs, working with local police and fire departments to keep neighborhoods
safe, helping homebound individuals remain independent in their own homes, and
building houses for the homeless. They serve in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Ask a Friend was designed to address the primary reason
people volunteer, which is simply because they are asked. The campaign uses the
friend method because the likelihood of someone getting involved increases when
a friend or someone they know makes the request. The goal of the campaign is
two-fold: to encourage current Senior Corps volunteers to get a friend involved,
and to encourage older non-volunteers to serve in projects that strengthen their
communities.
The campaign is supported by a website,
www.volunteerfriends.org where individuals can find helpful resources in
getting their friends engaged or access volunteer opportunities. Among the
features included at
www.volunteerfriends.org are e-cards, fliers, and posters for current
volunteers to share information about volunteering with their friends, a
Fast-Match link for individuals to match their personal interests to volunteer
opportunities by zip code, and inspiring stories about current volunteers and
the contributions they're making in their communities. There is also a section
that provides campaign information to Spanish speaking citizens. Individuals
without web access can call a toll-free number (1-800-424-8867; TTY
800-833-3722) to get information about the campaign or sign-up to volunteer.
Persons interested in the Ask a Friend campaign or Senior Corps
can log on to
www.volunteerfriends.org or call 1-800-424-8867.
Senior Corps promotes using the experience, skills, and talents
of older Americans to help local organizations meet community needs. Through its
network of three programs — Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP
(the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) — more than half a million Americans
age 55 and over assist local nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based
organizations in carrying our their missions.
Senior Corps, part
of the USA Freedom Corps, is
administered by the
Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that
also oversees AmeriCorps
and Learn and Serve
America. Together these programs engage more than two million Americans
of all ages and backgrounds in service each year.
Washington, D.C. — In a nationwide search for 100,000 volunteers
age 55 and over, Senior Corps of the Corporation for National and Community
Service (the Corporation) today launched Ask a Friend, Share Your Volunteer
Spirit, a campaign to recruit volunteers for activities that help support
and strengthen their communities.
"People age 55 and over have much to offer through their work
and personal life experiences. We want them to put those valuable skills and
experiences to good use in tackling some of the serious social problems in their
communities," said Tess Scannell, Director of Senior Corps. "Through this
campaign we're asking current volunteers to get their friends involved and
asking non-volunteers to just get involved." Scannell further states that
they're seeking 100,000 volunteers in response to a challenge to Senior Corps
from President Bush in his Call to Service message to all Americans.
Currently, more than half a million Senior Corps volunteers are
engaged in activities such as tutoring and mentoring children with special
needs, working with local police and fire departments to keep neighborhoods
safe, helping homebound individuals remain independent in their own homes, and
building houses for the homeless. They serve in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Ask a Friend was designed to address the primary reason
people volunteer, which is simply because they are asked. The campaign uses the
friend method because the likelihood of someone getting involved increases when
a friend or someone they know makes the request. The goal of the campaign is
two-fold: to encourage current Senior Corps volunteers to get a friend involved,
and to encourage older non-volunteers to serve in projects that strengthen their
communities.
The campaign is supported by a website,
www.volunteerfriends.org where individuals can find helpful resources in
getting their friends engaged or access volunteer opportunities. Among the
features included at
www.volunteerfriends.org are e-cards, fliers, and posters for current
volunteers to share information about volunteering with their friends, a
Fast-Match link for individuals to match their personal interests to volunteer
opportunities by zip code, and inspiring stories about current volunteers and
the contributions they're making in their communities. There is also a section
that provides campaign information to Spanish speaking citizens. Individuals
without web access can call a toll-free number (1-800-424-8867; TTY
800-833-3722) to get information about the campaign or sign-up to volunteer.
Persons interested in the Ask a Friend campaign or Senior Corps
can log on to
www.volunteerfriends.org or call 1-800-424-8867.
Senior Corps promotes using the experience, skills, and talents
of older Americans to help local organizations meet community needs. Through its
network of three programs — Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP
(the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) — more than half a million Americans
age 55 and over assist local nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based
organizations in carrying our their missions.
Senior Corps, part
of the USA Freedom Corps, is
administered by the
Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that
also oversees AmeriCorps
and Learn and Serve
America. Together these programs engage more than two million Americans
of all ages and backgrounds in service each year.
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