RSVP And The Volunteer Center (serving Grafton And Sullivan Counties In NH)
Our mission: To encourage civic engagement by connecting people with meaningful opportunities to effectively meet community needs through volunteer service, and supporting the agencies they serve.#
Description:
We assist individuals in locating just the right opportunity to fit their skills,interests, and schedules.
We assist organizations in recruiting and supporting volunteers. Plus we provide managers of volunteers opportunities for networking and resource sharing.
Our signature programs - meeting gaps in services and providing volunteers with opportunities for leadership and training include: a structured six-week decision making course taught to inmates by trained volunteers, Thresholds and Decisions, is in its 18th year at Grafton County Department of Corrections. T&D has received national recognition. In 2007, T&D had a pilot at the Sullivan County DOC, and has received funding from the SC United Way, and the County, for 2008 - 09. Trained Good Morning! volunteers provide daily telephone reassurance calls to elders living alone, helping to reduce isolation and increase personal safety. A no impact weight training class taught by trained volunteers, RSVP Bone Builders helps elders increase bone density and balance, thereby decreasing the risks of osteoporosis. Ten sites and 11 classes in Grafton County, one in White River Junction, and two in Sullivan County; over 255 elders participating regularly throughout the year. Screened Chore Corps volunteers help elders live in their own homes and communities longer by making small repairs, doing errands and chores; we also partner with community groups such as Rotary, Youth in Action, and Aquinas House, In partnership with AARP Foundation and the state sponsor, NH Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, screened and trained AARP Money Management volunteers help elders develop a budget, organize their bills, write and send checks to minimize risk for late fees, utility disconnections, etc.
The Volunteer Center also encourages the volunteer ethic and building of social capital through: days of service such as MLK Day “A Day On, Not A Day Off”; Coordinators of Volunteers Brown Bag Lunch Forums throughout our service area; development of new volunteer opportunities; a lending library of books and materials on the management of volunteers.
The Volunteer Center also sponsors Single Volunteers of the Upper Valley whose mission is "Making Friends While Making A Difference." SVUV combines group volunteer activities with social opportunities as a way to develop friendships and meet community needs. (Note: they are not a dating service!)
Last year: through RSVP & The Volunteer Center, 408 volunteers, (95% RSVP,) shared 49,219 hours of time and talent with 37 not-for-profit agencies in 54 towns throughout 2,302 square rural miles.
History:
This RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) was one of the first to be established in the country by ACTION, under The Older Americans Act. The goal: to encourage older Americans (age 60+) to stay active and involved after retirement, through community service. Initiated in 1971 in Littleton, as a pilot project, it later expanded to the Upper Valley, then the rest of Grafton County, as well as Sullivan County. Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. (GCSCC) has sponsored RSVP for 23 years. Now, one of 750+ RSVPs across the country, RSVP is under the “Senior Corps” umbrella of The Corporation for National and Community Service, (CNCS.) RSVP’s focus is threefold: to meet measurable community needs and build not-for-profit agencies’ capacity by mobilizing volunteers aged 55+. RSVP & The Volunteer Center serve as a bridge between individuals wishing to volunteer and not-for-profit organizations and municipalities that could benefit from the involvement of community members. Goals are to enrich the lives of volunteers through volunteer service, which provides meaning and purpose, and to improve the quality of life in the community through the contributions of volunteers.
Contact person: Teresa Volta, Program Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (603) 448-3906
Address:
 |
10 Campbell StreetLebanon, NH 03766(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.rsvptoday.org/yourworld
Directions:
|
We serve Grafton & Sullivan Counties. Our main office is in the Elder Services Building @ 10 Campbell Street - located between the Upper Valley Senior Center and the CCBA. Please call first as we are often "in the field".. . . (more)
Nearest Bus Stop: On the Mall - Downtown Lebanon, 5-10 minute walk |
| Last updated on June 22, 2009 |
