Retired Senior Volunteer Program Connects HP
Volunteers with Opportunities
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is designed
to help individuals aged 55 and older to connect with meaningful volunteer
experiences that fit their schedule and match their skills. The national RSVP
program began in 1971. Today over 300,000 RSVP volunteers serve around
the country providing invaluable service to their communities. Nationally,
RSVP is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service
(CNCS).
Within the past year, HandsON RSVPof
Forsyth and Stokes counties has undergone
many positive changes. The program
has been revamped to align with The
Corporation for National and Community
strategy for addressing the six focus areas
identified in the Serve America Act:
? Disaster services #?
? Economic opportunity
. Education j ! ,j l id S Oil
? Environmental stewardship nortmwhst norui Carolina
? Healthy futures
? Veterans and military families.
With a continuing emphasis on healthy futures, HandsON RSVP strives to
help seniors "age in place" by supporting programs that provide transportation,
food distribution, and education for seniors. A dialogue will begin soon with
groups that focus on veterans and economic opportunities which are so
needed in our community.
Locally, HandsON RSVP currently has 389 active volunteers who volunteer at
17 RSVP stations which include:
? The American Red Cross
? Crisis Control Ministry
? Stokes Arts
? East Stokes Outreach Ministry
? Forsyth Jail and Prison Ministry
? King Outreach Ministry
? Senior Services (Meals On Wheels)
? Triad Mental Health Association
? Newborns In Need
? Salemtowne Retirement Home
? Samaritan's Ministries
? Speas Elementary School
? Sunnyside Ministry
? The Shepherd s Center Kernersville
? The Shepherds Center of Greater
Winston-Salem
? Veterans of Foreign Wars
? Village Care of King.
Notably, the work of our current volunteers is selfless and necessary to meet
the needs of our communities, such as providing transportation services
to seniors and people with disabilities. It is an important service to seniors,
disabled and those who are unable to afford private transportation services.
Recipients have often stated, "Without the volunteer drivers, we would not be
able to make our doctors' appointments."
The staff at HandsOn are excited about all of the changes taking place, and the
ability to connect with great volunteers in both Forsyth and Stokes Counties.
We are proud of our volunteers who serve in such a variety of ways and always
lead with experience. Come join US!
For more information about Hands-On Northwest North Carolina and the
RSVP Program, visit www.handsonnwnc.org.
Interesting Facts About Volunteering
? People who volunteer have a better chance of
finding jobs after being out of work than non- .
volunteers.
? Adults who began volunteering as youths are .
twice as likely to volunteer than those who did
not volunteer when they were younger.
? Volunteering leads to better health and older
volunteers are the most likely to receive physical
and mental health benefits from their volunteer
activities.
? Non-volunteers are more likely to serve if asked
by a trusted friend.
Approximately 25 percent of Americans
volunteer. ?
People with a higher level of education are
more likely to volunteer. ?
Youth who volunteer are less likely to engage in
risky behavior, are more likely to feel connected
to their communities, and tend to do better
in school. <
A youth who has a parent who volunteers is
nearly three times more likely to volunteer on a
regular basis.
In 2013, one in four adults volunteered through
an organization.
Over 62 percent of adults engaged in informal
volunteering - helping a neighbor, feeding a
friend's pet, watching children or helping with
shopping.
? Volunteers are twice as likely as non-volunteers
to donate to charity.