Volunteer Opportunities
Senior make up an increasing proportion of the population of this country. With retirement coming earlier to many baby boomers, older adults today are active, involved, and interested in helping whether it be through charitable contributions or volunteer time.
According to a recent survey, almost 44 percent of all people 55 and over volunteer at least once a year; over 36 percent reported that they had volunteered within the past month. Approximately 26.4 older volunteers donate an average 4.4 hours per week to the causes they support - 5.6 billion hours of their time at a value of $77.2 billion to nonprofits and other causes .
Seniors of every age, ethnic and racial group volunteer to some level. Over 46 percent of persons ages 55 to 74 reported performing some type of volunteer work in the past year; 34 percent of those 75 years old and older reported volunteering.
Volunteering is one way to stay physically and mentally active in one's community. Social interaction is a vital piece of positive aging.
Senior Corps
The Corporation for National and Community Service offers three volunteer programs for older adults through Senior Corps. For nearly 40 years, Senior Corps programs have connected more than 500,000 Americans to service opportunities in their communities.
• The Foster Grandparent Program connects volunteers age 60 and over with children and young people with exceptional needs. Foster Grandparents receive a stipend for their service.
• The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers age 60 and over with adults in their community who have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day living. Senior Companions also receive a stipend for their service.
• RSVP offers "one stop shopping" for all volunteers 55 and over who want to find challenging, rewarding, and significant service opportunities in their local communities.
Local Resources
Most non-profit organizations rely heavily on the altruism of volunteers to accomplish their mission of service. These organizations frequently post ads in the media requesting volunteer support. Information can also be found at local Volunteer Centers.