| RSVP recruits, orients and
places senior volunteers (age 55 and older) in public and not-for-profit
programs and agencies. In 2003, 888 senior volunteers provided more than
126,000 hours of service to more than 109 programs in our four-county
service area.
Programs Currently in Progress
Amigos Para Todos ("Friends for All")
A tutoring program for children and families who speak English as a second
Language. Volunteers work with students in schools, after-school programs and
family literacy centers.
Angel Tree
Each year, hundreds of RSVP volunteers assist with the Salvation Army
"Angel Tree" project during the Christmas holiday season. Thousands of
area children and their families, nominated by local service agencies, receive
gifts donated by local community members.
Delivering
Meals to Homebound Seniors
RSVP volunteers and other community volunteers of all ages deliver meals
provided by local senior service agencies to homebound seniors. There never are
enough volunteers for this important project – call 309.793.4425 if you or
your church or community group are able to help for 2 hours a week or month.
Grandparents
Raising Grandchildren
A support group for grandparents raising grandchildren meets once a month at the
Two Rivers YMCA in Moline, Illinois.
Heritage Presenters / Silver Linings
RSVP volunteers present interactive musical entertainment in institutional
settings for seniors. RSVP also sponsors the Silver Linings, a group of singers
and a bell choir. This program was started with funding from Plus 60 of The
Quad-City Times newspaper and entertains in both Iowa and Illinois.
Homeland Security / Disaster Preparedness
RSVP operates a homeland security program funded by the Corporation for National
& Community Service. Activities are designed to increase citizen awareness
and involvement in homeland security-related issues on a local basis, including:
- Citizen Corps Councils
- Supporting emergency-management agencies through the recruitment and
placement of volunteers
- Preparing and disseminating disaster-preparedness information to the
general public through public meetings, media, etc.
- Recruiting private citizens to participate in CERT (Community Emergency
Response Team) training sessions coordinated through the respective Citizen
Corps Councils
Iowa Department of Human Services
One RSVP employee is stationed at the Iowa Department of Human Services in
Davenport for a portion of each week. RSVP recruits, trains and matches
volunteers of all ages to provide service at the Iowa Department of Human
Services.
Law Enforcement Volunteer Programs
RSVP recruits volunteers to serve with local law-enforcement agencies. (See
also "Homeland Security/Disaster Preparedness")
Reading for Understanding
This program provides one-on-one tutoring at area schools and after-school and
family literacy programs located in Iowa and Illinois. RSVP recruits and places
tutors and provides monthly tutor training meetings.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Matching
RSVP staff has an established record of matching the needs of nonprofit
organizations with volunteers who can help. Over 109 not-for-profit community
organizations and governmental entities submit job descriptions to RSVP staff,
who then recruit, interview and match volunteers to the specific job requests.
Special Activities
RSVP participates in a number of national "special days," such as Make
a Difference Day, Join Hands Day and Martin Luther King Day. The activities of
each of these days aid various community groups or residents and provide
information to the public about important local issues and needs.
|
