FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jul 30, 2010

Grants to Ensure Brighter Future for Area Youth, Address Needs of Vulnerable

Washington, DC— The Corporation for National and Community Service announced grants totaling $1.4 million to help local organizations in 14 states establish new RSVP projects for communities previously not served. The grants will engage more than 4,200 new RSVP volunteers to increase student achievement, support independent living for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans, and promote energy efficiency.

“These funds will give more older Americans the opportunity to use their skills and talents to help meet the greatest needs facing local communities,” said Patrick A. Corvington, CEO of the Corporation.

Specifically, 1,500 volunteers will mentor and tutor children, while another 1,400 will provide transportation assistance and deliver meals to the homebound.  In response to needs identified by local organizations, other volunteers will provide services to increase energy efficiency in homes including conducting energy audits and weatherization.

RSVP engages Americans 55 and older in a range of volunteer activities that deliver valuable services to children in need and vulnerable seniors. Last year, more than 405,000 RSVP volunteers delivered 62 million hours of service to their communities. RSVP members provided assisted living services to over 500,000 seniors, engaged a record number of Baby Boomers in service – 53,000 – and worked to provide greater prospects for nearly 8,500 young people. The Corporation announced $1.2 million in funds for 48 existing RSVP sponsors in 26 states to engage RSVP volunteers in June.

Below are five programs that received grants. Click here to read the complete list of awarded organizations and projects.

Alaska Community Services will match RSVP volunteers with 60 youths who are living in foster care, or other out-of-home placements, and who have requested a mentor. Volunteers will serve regional community hub areas throughout Alaska, including surrounding villages that are currently unserved by RSVP.

Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina will establish a new RSVP project to serve North Carolina’s Robeson, Scotland and Hoke counties. The project will build on the tribe’s tradition of voluntary service to meet critical needs in the communities served.

Fairfield Volunteer Center, Inc will establish a new RSVP project for Fairfield County, Iowa. 45 RSVP volunteers will provide 60 socially isolated elderly and disabled individuals with services to help them continue to live independently

The Doctor’s Medical Center Foundation will establish a new RSVP project to help seniors live independently in Stanislaus County, CA. 150 RSVP volunteers will be paired in unique 1-to-1 peer relationships to support area seniors.

Burlington Housing Authority will establish a new RSVP project to serve Alamance County, NC. The project will place 120 RSVP volunteers in assignments mentoring 120 at-risk or adjudicated youth between the ages of 10 and 18.  Another 120 RSVP volunteers will tutor 600 students in need of reading and math improvement.  

Senior Corps taps the skills, talents, and experience of nearly 500,000 Americans age 55 and over to meet a wide range of community challenges through three programs — RSVP, the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve.  For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

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AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.