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Washington D.C. — Senior Corps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, today announced six grants totaling more than one million dollars to support senior volunteers in new Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent projects in Iowa, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah.
"Older volunteers are a tremendous untapped resource for our society," said Leslie Lenkowsky, CEO of the Corporation, which oversees Senior Corps. "These new projects will help local nonprofits meet critical needs in their communities while using the talents of some of our most talented and skilled citizens," Lenkowsky further stated.
The new grants will expand the nationwide Senior Corps program and help the following local organizations:
Handicare, Inc., Iowa – $113,500 to support Foster Grandparents who will serve at-risk teens and children of teen parents in Johnson County.
University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg – $186,140 to support Foster Grandparents assigned to children and youth in the Hattiesburg Public Schools, South Mississippi Children's Center, the school for language disorders, and PACE Head Start Program.
Family Service of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania – $205,600 to support Senior Companion volunteers who will help terminally ill hospice clients, adult day care clients, nutrition and support clients and respite care clients.
East Bay Community Action Self Help, Rhode Island – $186,140 for Foster Grandparents to help children in the communities of East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton, and Middletown.
Community and Senior Services of Midland, Texas – $205,600 for Senior Companions to help adults with in-home care, safety and accident prevention, serve adults in hospice and rehabilitation centers, work with the Alzheimer's Association and others.
Volunteers of America of Utah – $186,140 to help support Foster Grandparents who will serve in Head Start Centers in Carbon, Emery, Grand, Tooele and San Juan Counties to provide homework assistance, and reading and language skills.
"President Bush made a special call for America's seniors to serve their communities," said Tess Scannell, Director of Senior Corps. "The volunteers in these programs will not only be answering the President's Call to Service but will also be part of an ever-growing cadre of Senior Corps volunteers who are making a difference in their communities," Scannell said.
Volunteers in the Senior Companion program help adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks to remain independent in their homes. These volunteers serve an average 20 hours a week and provide services such as bill paying and grocery shopping. They also help provide respite to caregivers and alert doctors and family members to potential medical and other problems. Companions receive monthly training and help an average of two to four adults.
Volunteers in the Foster Grandparent program mentor and tutor children and youth who have exceptional needs. They help children who have been abused and neglected, mentor troubled teens and young mothers and help care for premature infants or children with physical and mental disabilities. They serve an average 20 hours a week in schools, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions or other locations where children need help.
Senior Corps engages more than half a million Americans age 55 and over in volunteer activities that meet community needs in such areas as education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and others. In addition to the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs, Senior Corps includes RSVP that engages adults age 55 and over in projects such as renovating homes, assisting victims of natural disasters, helping local police with safety patrols and others. Last month, Senior Corps launched a new public relations campaign called Ask a Friend, Share Your Volunteer Spirit to encourage volunteers to recruit their friends as volunteers for activities that serve their communities. The campaign's website is www.volunteerfriends.org.
Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. Together, these programs engage more than two million Americans each year in meeting critical needs in areas like education, the environment, public safety, and homeland security. The Corporation and its programs are also part of USA Freedom Corps, a White House initiative to foster a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.gov.
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