Volunteer
Opportunities
Volunteering is an all-American tradition. In fact, some 45 million
Americans participate in volunteer activities and 15 million -
about one third - of those who volunteer are older persons. Despite
the large number of people who share their time and talents, however,
the needs of our communities and the nation outstrip the number
of people who volunteer.
Older Americans, especially retirees, are in an excellent position
to volunteer. They not only have the time, but the experience
and expertise to help in a variety of activities.
USA Freedom Corps
During his State of the Union address, President George W. Bush
called upon every American to get involved in strengthening America's
communities and sharing America's compassion around the world. He
created the USA Freedom Corps to help all Americans to answer his
call. The USA Freedom Corps Network has been built where individuals
can find service opportunities that match their interests and talents
in their hometowns, across the country or around the world. To learn
more go to USA Freedom Corps website at: www.freedomcorps.gov
(Off Site)
Older Americans Act Programs
Each year about seven to nine million older people use Older
Americans Act (OAA) services, whose delivery largely depends upon
the efforts of half a million volunteers. These volunteers work
through State and Territorial Units on Aging, Area Agencies on
Aging, and more than 20,000 local organizations that offer opportunities
and services to active older persons as well as those elderly
who need help.
Volunteer activities include: assisting at group meals sites
and delivering meals to the home-bound elderly; escorting frail
older persons to health care services, on shopping errands and
to other needed services; visiting homebound older persons and
providing telephone reassurance to help ensure their well-being
through regular social contacts; repairing and weatherizing the
homes of low-income and frail older persons to ensure their safety
and improve their mobility; counseling older persons in a variety
of areas including health promotion, nutrition, legal and financial
concerns; serving as a nursing home ombudsman to resolve resident
facility disputes and to help ensure the safety and well-being
of residents; providing homemaking assistant to frail older persons;
and assisting in senior center, day care, and other group programs
for seniors.
Anyone interested in volunteering in Older Americans Act Programs
should contact their Area Agency on Aging. To locate an Area Agency
on Aging near you contact the Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
at: www.eldercare.gov
(Off Site)
Administration on Aging Supported Programs
Senior Medicare Patrol
The Senior Medicare Patrol projects teach volunteer retired professionals,
such as doctors, nurses, accountants, investigators, law enforcement
personnel, attorneys and teachers, to help Medicare and Medicaid
beneficiaries to be better health care consumers, help identify
and prevent billing errors and potential fraud. Since 1997, these
Administration on Aging funded projects have trained more than
48,000 volunteers and conducted more than 60,000 community education
events reaching nearly 10 million people. To learn more about
Senior Medicare Patrol volunteers go to: www.aoa.gov/smp
(Off Site)
Experience Corps
Experience Corps places a critical mass of older adult volunteers
in schools and youth-focused organizations in their communities.
Started in 1995 as a pilot project in five cities, Experience
Corps has grown to include more than 1,000 volunteers in 14 cities
across the country. Among their many roles, the older adults work
one-on-one with young children, create before- and after-school
programs, get parents more fully involved in schools, and serve
as advocates for children and their needs in the larger community.
For more information visit:
http://www.experiencecorps.org/ (Off Site)
Other Government Programs
The National Senior Service Corps (Senior Corps)
Senior Corps is a network of programs that tap the experience,
skills, and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges.
Through its 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 out their missions. Senior Corps is administered by
the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Foster Grandparents offer support to children with special needs;
Senior Companions provide assistance to help elderly individuals
live independently; and Retired and Senior Volunteers provide
a variety of services that range from leading local museum tours
to teaching adult education computer classes. Foster Grandparents
and Senior Companions meet income eligibility requirements, serve
20 hours per week and receive small stipends. RSVP volunteers
serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for such expenses
as transportation. Insurance protection is provided to volunteers
while on assignment.
For information on the Senior Corps programs call 1-800-424-8867
or visit: www.seniorcorps.org
(Off Site)
The Peace Corps
For over 42 years, the Peace Corps has served 136 countries by responding to
the countries’ requests for help in empowering people to take charge of
their own future. Volunteers age 50 and over are valuable assets to the Peace
Corps’ mission because of their extensive experience. Peace Corps volunteers
commit to 27 months of training and service oversees. Volunteers work in the
areas of business development, education, youth and community development, agriculture
and the environment, and health. The Peace Corps prepares volunteers
with extensive language, technical, and cross-cultural awareness training. Peace
Corps benefits include transportation to and from the assigned country and medical
benefits.
For information on the Peace Corps programs call 800-424-8580 or visit www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whovol.older (Off
Site)
Service Corps of Retired Executives
The Service Corps of Retired Executives or SCORE is a 13,000-member
volunteer association sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA). SCORE is made up of retired executives and small business
owners. SCORE volunteers provide counseling to small business
owners free of charge. Teams of volunteer counselors also assist
small business owners in the areas of planning and management
and offer seminars and workshops on major considerations in running
a business.
Volunteers work in or near their home communities to provide
management counseling and training to first-time entrepreneurs
and current small business owners. They meet with clients at a
SCORE chapter office, an SBA office or at the client's place of
business.
To locate the SCORE office nearest you, call (800) 634-0245 or
visit:
www.score.org (Off Site)
Volunteers in Parks
Older persons with an interest in history and the great outdoors
can volunteer their time with the National Park Service's Volunteers
in Parks or VIP program. The National Park Service is entrusted
with preserving more than 360 national parks in the United States.
In 1995, more than seventy-seven thousand people volunteered in
almost every park in the National Park System, in big cities, in
small towns, and in remote wilderness areas. Volunteers may work
a few hours a week or month, seasonally, or full-time. They work
weekdays, weekends, during the day, or at night. Additional information
on the VIP program is available at: www.nps.gov
(Off Site)
Volunteering In Your Community
Volunteer Centers
In addition to the many volunteer opportunities open to older
persons through Federal programs, community level agencies and
organizations welcome the talents of the elderly. Many communities
have Volunteer Centers that offer information about the types
of volunteer opportunities available and the agencies and organizations
that are seeking volunteer assistance. Volunteer Centers refer
an estimated 800,000 new volunteers each year. Volunteers assist
a wide variety of community organizations which provide services
to such populations as the elderly, youth, people with AIDS, and
the homeless. Opportunities are also available in areas such as
the arts and the environment. To locate the Volunteer Center in
your community call 1-800-VOLUNTEER or visit:http://www.pointsoflight.org
(Off Site)
Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement
The Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement (EASI) is a
national nonprofit coalition of environmental, aging and volunteer
organizations established in 1991. EASI's mission is to increase
opportunities for older adults to play an active, visible role
in protecting and improving the environment in their communities.
EASI's national partners include over 300 national, state and
local public and private organizations. For more information visit:
http://www.easi.org
(Off Site)
Ask a Friend Campaign
Ask a Friend is a nationwide campaign developed by Senior Corps,
which taps the experience, skills, and talents of volunteers
over 55 to meet a wide range of community challenges.
Because there is strength in numbers, Ask a Friend is searching
for 100,000 new volunteers age 55 and over to help make a difference
in our communities. You have so much to offer — whether
teaching children or adults to read, creating a local recycling
program, or providing needed support to a local non-profit agency — you
can help solve serious problems right in your own backyard. As
a volunteer, you not only impact people's lives but you also
can strengthen your community. Visit: http://www.volunteerfriends.org/ (Off
Site)
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