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Some 45 million Americans volunteer, and 15 million of them are older
than 65. However, with more women entering the workforce, the need for
volunteers is growing faster than the number of people volunteering.
A slew of federal government programs provide volunteer opportunities
for older Americans, especially retirees. Among them are the
Administration on Aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, the National Service Corps under the Corporation for National
and Community Service, the Senior Corps of Retired Executives under the
Small Business Administration, and the National Park Service’s
Volunteers in Parks. These programs draw on the diverse talents,
experience and expertise of older Americans who now have time to meet
some needs in their home communities through volunteer work.
Older volunteers, for example, are sorely needed to assist other elderly
folks who are at risk of losing their independence. The Senior Companion
Program through Senior Corps has people aged 60 or older provide
assistance and friendship to frail individuals who are typically
homebound and living alone. These volunteers take care of various
chores, run errands, escort the senior to appointments, and offer
contact with the outside world. They also offer respite to relieve
live-in family care givers for short periods of time.
This program allows older Americans to remain in their homes for a
longer period of time. In 1999, 14,700 senior companions served
approximately 61,900 clients. These volunteers helped clients who were
developmentally disabled, emotionally impaired, hearing impaired,
visually impaired and the terminally ill. They also volunteered for
people who were affected by AIDS and HIV, Alzheimer’s disease,
short-term disabilities and substance abuse or in need of chronic care.
They volunteered at clinics, hospices, nursing or convalescent homes,
residential long-term care centers, adult day care centers, veterans
associations and other places they were needed.
Not only are opportunities available to those who are retired to help
the elderly, there are programs for seniors who are 60 and older to
serve as mentors, tutors and care givers for children with special
needs. One such program is the Foster Grandparents Program through
Senior Corps. Those who volunteer to be foster grandparents must meet
income eligibility requirements, serve 20 hours per week and receive
small stipends for their service. In 1999, 28,700 foster grandparents
supported abused, neglected children, children with AIDS, developmental
or physical disabilities, substance abuse problems, and children whom
are delinquents, runaways and terminally ill.
Too often, volunteer opportunities and activities are not well known to
older people in a community. The Internet carries a Web site, called
Volunteer Match, which helps individuals find volunteer opportunities
posted by organizations. This free site allows prospective volunteers to
search thousands of one-time and ongoing opportunities by zip code,
city, category and date. Volunteer sign up is automatic with e-mail. The
Web site is found at www.volunteermatch.org.
Agencies or organizations that need senior volunteers can contact local
volunteer centers in their communities. Some of these in Colorado are
listed below. In addition, individuals interested in volunteering can
also contact these agencies. Local telephone directories carry listings
for volunteer centers, volunteer bureaus, voluntary action centers or
United Way. You may also call 1-800-595-4448.
- Boulder County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, (303) 443-1933,
ilwwal@bwn.net
- Delta, Montrose, Gunnison & San Miguel Counties RSVP, (970) 874-7661,
rsvpco@juno.com
- RSVP Of Jefferson County, (303) 235-6907, rsvpjeff@aol.com
- Denver RSVP, (303) 477-2340, voadenrsvp@aol.com.
- Eagle and Summit County RSVP, (970) 328-8843, forinash@vail.net
- Adams and Arapahoe County RSVP, (303) 426-4408, Seniorweb@uswest.net
- Lincoln, ElPaso and Kit Carson County RSVP, (719) 765-4671, rsvp@ria.net
- RSVP/Volunteers of America in Larimer County, (970) 472-9630,
grm333@hotmail.com
- High Country RSVP, (970) 947-8462, kaltman@coloradomtn.edu (Garfield
County)
- Mesa County RSVP, (970) 243-9839, volcentr@gj.net
- Weld County RSVP, (970) 351-2590, rsvp@bently.unco.edu
- Otero, Bent and Crowley County RSVP, (719) 383-3164, rsvplj@ria.net
- San Luis Valley RSVP, (719) 852-5186, rsvp@slvccmh.org
- Pueblo RSVP, (719) 545-8900
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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