Volunteering

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Program Description

The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is the largest older adult volunteer program in the nation. RSVP recruits, trains, and places older adult volunteers (age 55+) in a host of community-based human service agencies. Service opportunities are as diverse as the communities in which volunteers serve and include areas such as health promotion and wellness; assistance to frail and vulnerable older adults through home visiting, escort, transportation, and home-delivered meals as well as cross-generational efforts in tutoring and mentoring children. RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to 40 hours per week.

Goals and Objectives

To promote older adults to remain involved in their community by using the skills and talents they have developed over the years, or to develop new ones; and to increase their socialization and feeling of purpose.

Eligibility

To be eligible:

  • RSVP volunteers must be age 55 or older.
  • RSVP volunteers are not paid any wage or stipend, but may receive reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket costs, such as transportation.

Funding Source

State and federally funded.  Federal funding is provided through the Corporation for National and Community Service.

For more information please contact the RSVP Staff.

 

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Grantee Prequalification Requirements:
Not-for-profit grantees receiving RSVP grants in excess of $5,000 must register and prequalify in the NYS Grants Gateway. For more information, visit NYS Grants Management website.