In an article in the
"Philadelphia Inquirer" about author Marc Freedman, we are told
that not until last winter when he was promoting his book "Prime
Time: How Baby Boom Will Revolutionize Retirement and Transform
America" did he realize the breadth of volunteer community activity
taking place among retired Americans.
Retirees are demanding
and playing an active role in American society. A survey conducted
by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that "women and better
educated Americans are particularly enthusiastic about incorporating
volunteer opportunities into their retirement plans." They are
working through numerous nonprofit organizations as well as political
organizations and other groups.
I am devoting this
article to The National Senior Corps, a multifaceted nonprofit
organization that benefits many in society through the productive
work of retiree volunteers. I'm also including information on
an agency that assists older Americans in returning to the workplace.
The federally funded
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), one of the programs
under the National Senior Corps, offers volunteers opportunities
which coincide with their special interests and skills. This program
offers maximum flexibility and choice to its volunteers who are
assigned to nonprofit agencies they select. Although choices may
differ by state or city the following are some of the options
that may be available in your area.
The RSVP VITA program
is appropriate for those who are able to donate several hours
a week to the community by running errands and providing companionship
to frail, homebound and lonely seniors. VITA volunteers earn service
credits for their work; these credits can be used to receive help,
when needed, for themselves or family members. RSVP also seeks
volunteers who would like to read to children at schools, shelters
and daycare centers or to play with children who are living in
family and battered women's shelters. The days and hours are usually
flexible and RSVP will supply books for you to read to the children.
Other RSVP programs
in your community might include telephone counselors providing
help to parents dealing with the stress of parenting. This volunteer
job is perfect for those who prefer to work at home after a few
hours of training; it also allows a very flexible time schedule.
For those who enjoy variety in their volunteer work, your local
RSVP may have a Seniors On Call program that is designed to allow
one to volunteer to perform a variety of tasks. These range from
assisting with bulk mailings to assisting at the Food Bank and
other similar diverse tasks.
To find out more about
the RSVP or the Senior Corps opportunities in your community,
contact your local Commission on the Affairs of the Elderly or
the Area Agency on Aging or call the Elder care Locator 800-677-1116
for the phone number in your area.
For those who want
to return to work due to insufficient income there is a splendid
agency worthy of investigating. The National Senior Citizens Education
and Research Center (NSCERC) is a nonprofit corporation that develops
and implements programs for older adults. It is a major sponsor
of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), also
known as the Senior Aids Program, which is funded by the Older
Americans Act through grants from the US Department of Labor.
Funding covers wages, benefits and supportive services while elders
are in training at a local community agency to learn new skills
to assist them in returning to the labor market.
Training is a critical
component of the program. In exchange for the service of enrollees,
community agencies (primarily non-profits) provide a supportive
environment, supervision and the use of new workplace technology.
The following comments from several seniors in this program demonstrate
how valuable it can be:
"I have sharpened
my skills, and now, all of a sudden, my lifetime of personal
and work experience is important again. SCSEP puts seniors back
in the marketplace, and for me, it allowed dignity and self
confidence to return."
"My Senior Aides
position helps me bridge the gap between former employment and
my search for a new job. As a Senior Aid, I now have the opportunity
to remain part of the workforce."
NSCERC partners with
other Senior Aid national sponsors, federal and state employment
programs, educational institutions, and One-Stop Career Centers
to promote the value of older workers as an important economic
resource. To find out more about this program in your area contact
your local Area Agency on Aging.
The partnership between
volunteers and nonprofit agencies benefits society and may, as
shown above, benefit older Americans in their own search for economic
security. There are so many ways that seniors contribute to society
through the many agencies, organizations, schools, libraries,
hospitals, etc., that it is not possible to mention them all.
The issue to be noted
and remembered is that these contributions be recognized and appreciated.
Next month I will conclude
this series with an article on older women/men who for many reasons
choose employment after retirement.
Websites cited in the
article:
National
Senior Corps
Retired
and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
National
Senior Citizens' Education and Research Center
Senior
Community Service Employment Program
Older
Americans Act Reauthorization (Department of Labor)
