Washington, D.C. - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced grants totaling more than $750,000 to help 29 Senior Corps programs expand their volunteer forces, with a special emphasis on recruiting Baby Boomers. The grants will support more than 1,000 new volunteers in 20 states serving in the RSVP and Senior Companion programs.

Volunteers will carry out a wide range of projects, including mobilizing other community volunteers, caring for the frail elderly, mentoring children of prisoners, supporting service-learning, and helping communities prepare for disasters. More than 135 organizations applied for the “Programs of National Significance” grants, which were evaluated by Corporation staff and outside reviewers. See below for a full list of grants.

“The proposals demonstrate the commitment of RSVP and Senior Companion sponsors to the priorities of our new five-year Strategic Plan,” said Corporation CEO David Eisner. “Disadvantaged youth, seniors who need support to live independently, communities at risk from disasters, and others will benefit from the service of these new volunteers.”

Senior Corps engages more than half a million Americans age 55 and over to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas.

“These grantees are creating effective ways for increasing numbers of Baby Boomers and other seniors to give back to their communities.” said Tess Scannell, director of Senior Corps. “We anticipate that many of these new recruits will help engage other community volunteers of all ages.”

Examples of the grants include:

• Christian Senior Services of San Antonio, Texas, will recruit nine Senior Companion volunteers to assist frail elderly Hurricane Katrina evacuees who have relocated to the San Antonio area. These evacuees have greater than normal difficulty adapting to their new living situations and are at greater risk of losing their ability to live independently. The volunteers will work with 30 frail and elderly evacuees who have been identified by Family Service Association and Meals on Wheels as having particular difficulty coping with the stress of relocation. Each Senior Companion will provide their clients with companionship, in-home services, and assistance with access to needed services, as well as connection with other caring people in their new community.
      
• RSVP volunteers serving with Iowa Lakes Community College in Spencer, Ia., will support an after school program to engage latchkey children in service-learning projects. RSVP will carry out this project with the Positively Spencer Youth coalition to help reduce substance abuse and other risky behaviors among young people in the community. Twenty RSVP volunteers will be paired with 40 Spencer Middle School students. The students will be placed as volunteers at various sites, giving them opportunities to serve their community and learn work skills. Other participating organizations include the Iowa State University Extension, Arts on Grand, Spencer Community Theatre, People for Pets, the Spencer YMCA, and local hospitals.
      
• The Oxford Park Commission in Lafayette County, Miss., will assign 35 new RSVP volunteers to serve with the Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency and the Lafayette County Red Cross. The volunteers will be recruited and trained to respond in disasters, assist with public education regarding disaster preparedness, and provide disaster victims with long-term support.

Senior Corps consists of three programs: RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions. RSVP volunteers help local police departments conduct safety patrols, participate in environmental projects, provide intensive educational services to children and adults, and respond to natural disasters, among many other activities. Foster Grandparents serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to young people with special needs. Senior Companions help homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes.

RSVP 2006 Programs of National Significance Awards

Senior Companion Program 2006 Programs of National Significance Awards

Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also administers AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. The Corporation improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.

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