Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer organizations in the nation, RSVP engages over 400,000 people age 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. Volunteers recruit and coordinate other volunteers, tutor children, renovate homes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide independent living services, and serve their communities in many other ways. RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to 40 hours per week.
Eligibility
RSVP is open to all people age 55 and over. Volunteers do not receive monetary incentives, but sponsoring organizations may reimburse them for some costs incurred during service, including meals and transportation.
National 2008 RSVP Statistics:
• Volunteers - 428,500
• Hours Served - 79 million
• Number of Projects - 741
• Organizations Supported - 61,500
• Children Served - 74,346
• Children of Prisoners Mentored - 7,415
• Frail Elderly Served - 342,416
• Annual Federal Funding - $58.6 million
• Non-Federal Support - $59.7 million
Athens Area 2008 Statistics:
• Volunteers - 519
• Hours Served – 46,584
• Number of Volunteer Stations - 48
• Number of Clients Served – over 5,000
• Annual Budget - $ 62,000