The New York State Office for the Aging’s (NYSOFA) Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) supplements a similar program supported by the Corporation for National Service and is the largest older adult volunteer program in the nation. The RSVP program recruits, trains and places senior volunteers over the age of 55 in a host of community-based human service agencies. In 2011-12, New York State appropriated $216,500 for the RSVP program.
The many impact areas for RSVP include: senior citizen health promotion and wellness; assistance to frail and vulnerable elderly persons in the areas of home visiting, escort, transportation, home-delivered meals, etc.; and cross-generational efforts in tutoring and mentoring children.
In Chenango County, a volunteer spends time visiting a shut-in elderly woman who is blind, and helps write out her bills when they are due. Another volunteer assists by taking a “friend” to lunch, for groceries, to the hairdresser, to exercise classes, etc. Volunteer “Chris” noticed a new resident in her apartment complex who does not drive and also has no family in the area. Chris offers to take the woman to her medical appointments and to lunch. Volunteer “Yvonne” drives a woman to dialysis weekly. These friendships help the volunteers and the recipients. These are just a few examples of the ways RSVP volunteers make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
There are 38 RSVP programs funded by New York State. In 2010-11 more than 2,100 volunteers provided 200,000 hours of service to more than 2,800 groups across New York at an estimated value of more than $4 million. These volunteers play a key role in supporting the network of 59 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in New York.
RSVP volunteers receive out-of-pocket expenses, such as mileage and carfare, as well as lunch at volunteer stations.
RSVP goals include:
