Senior Corps

The Senior Corps logo

Senior Corps is a United States government agency under the authority of the Corporation For National and Community Service. Its stated mission is to provide aid to senior citizens in communities while promoting a sense of community. There are about 400,000 members nationwide.

Programs

Senior Corps is for people age 55+ who want to share their experiences with others who are most in need of mentors, coaches or a companion.

Foster Grandparents

First operational on August 28, 1965, the Foster Grandparents program enables seniors to interact with and support young children, thus acting as foster grandparents. Open to seniors 55 and over, the program's goal is to provide "grandparents" who will give emotional support to victims of abuse and tutor, mentor, and care for children with disabilities. In turn, the participants make a difference in the lives of these children, receive pre-service and monthly training sessions, transportation reimbursement, an annual physical, and accident and liability insurance while working with the child/children. Some Foster Grandparents also receive small tax-free stipends to offset costs incurred while participating in the program; eligibility for these stipends is based on income criteria.

RSVP

Much like the Foster Grandparents program, RSVP seeks to provide a way in which senior citizens can give back to their community. Flexible in nature, RSVP allows participants to choose how and when they work. Open to seniors 55 and over, the program's goals are wide and varied, and include tutoring children, building homes, helping immunize children, relief services, and aid to community organizations. Volunteers are given a pre-service orientation, on-the-job training from the placement agency or organization, and supplemental insurance while on duty.

One of the more widespread RSVP programs is a telephone reassurance service. RSVP volunteers contact other seniors by phone to ensure their well-being and provide friendly chat.

Senior Companions

The Senior Companions program is aimed at helping citizens who need extra assistance to live independently, such as adults with disabilities or those with terminal illnesses and their caregivers. Participants provide both emotional and physical support by assisting with simple house chores, providing transportation, offering companionship, and simply adding richness to their clients' lives.

A senior companion must be 55 years of age and able to give between 15 and 40 hours of service per week. In addition to making a significant contribution to the lives of others, a participant also receives pre-service and monthly training, transportation reimbursement, an annual physical, and meals and accident and liability insurance while on duty. (Income-eligible Senior Companions also receive a modest, tax-free stipend to offset the cost of volunteering.)

History

Senior Corps was formed from a merge of its constituent programs, Foster Grandparents, RSVP, and Senior Companions. The three were originally mandated under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 with similar aims. When the Corporation for National and Community Service was formed by then-president Bill Clinton in 1993, the three organizations were reformed into a single agency--Senior Corps. The three national Senior Corps programs – Foster Grandparents, RSVP, and Senior Companions – have unique histories, and each was developed to meet a specific need. But all were crafted on the same belief that older adults are valuable resources to their communities.


The Foster Grandparent Program was piloted on August 28, 1965, to entice low income people over 60 in community service. The program quickly revealed the positive impact these thriving older Americans have on exceptional and special needs children and grew in scope.

In 1968, the Senior Companion Program began as part of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and Administration on Aging. Five years later, President Richard Nixon asked Congress to expand the role of low-income older volunteers who provide personal services to others. Seven months later, the Senior Companion Program was signed into law. In the 1980's the Foster Grandparent Program was championed by First Lady Nancy Reagan. She drew attention to the program and helped it grow as one of her pet projects.

RSVP began as an outgrowth by private groups and government agencies to create opportunities of engagement, activity, and growth for older Americans. One of the earliest programs, the Community Service Society of New York, began in 1965 on Staten Island. The project involved a small group of volunteers who were dedicated to serving their communities in a variety of ways. It was due to the success of their efforts that led to an amendment to the Older Americans Act, creating RSVP as a nationwide program in 1969.

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