Senior Corps
More than 31,000 seniors in New York contribute their time and talents in one of
three Senior Corps programs. Foster Grandparents serve one-on-one as tutors and
mentors to more than 8,400 young people who have special needs. Senior Companions
help more than 1,100 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in
their own homes. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers conduct
safety patrols for local police departments, participate in environmental projects,
tutor and mentor youth, respond to natural disasters, and provide other services
through more than 3,600 groups across New York.
Senior Corps offers a network of programs that tap the rich experience, skills and
talents of older citizens to meet community challenges. To learn more about Senior
Corps and how your organization may be able to partner, contact the Corporation
for National and Community Service New York State Office at (518) 431-4150.
Foster Grandparents
Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
Foster Grandparents devote their volunteer service entirely to disadvantaged or
disabled youth. Across the country, Foster Grandparents help children in many ways:
Offering emotional support to child victims of abuse and neglect; Tutoring children
with low literacy skills; Mentoring troubled teenagers and young mothers; and Caring
for premature infants and children with physical disabilities and severe illnesses.
Foster Grandparents are individuals age 60 and over who thrive on direct interaction
with children and believe they can make a difference in their lives. Income-eligible
Foster Grandparents receive a modest stipend to help offset the costs of volunteering.
Visit the Senior Corps Site
to Learn More About Foster Grandparents
Senior Companion Program
Helping Adults Remain Independent
Senior Companions touch the lives of adults who need extra assistance to live independently
in their own homes or communities. They serve frail older adults, adults with disabilities,
those with terminal illnesses, and offer respite for caregivers. They assist their
adult clients in basic but essential ways: Offering companionship and friendship
to isolated and frail adults; Assisting with simple chores; Providing transportation;
and Adding richness to their clients' lives.
Senior Companions are individuals age 60 or over who want to help adults with special
need remain independent and living in their own home.
Visit the Senior Corps Site
to Learn More About Senior Companions
RSVP
Choose How to Serve
RSVP offers maximum flexibility and choice to its volunteers as it matches the personal
interests and skills of older Americans with opportunities to serve their communities.
RSVP volunteers choose how and where they want to serve—from a few hours to more
than 40 hours a week. RSVP volunteers provide hundreds of community services, such
as: Tutoring children in reading and math; Building houses; Helping get children
immunized; Modeling parenting skills to teen parents; Participating in neighborhood
watch programs; Planting community gardens; Providing counsel to new business owners;
Offering relief services to victims of natural disasters; and Helping community
organizations operate more efficiently.
RSVP provides service opportunities for those who want to make a difference in their
communities while maintaining the flexibility to decide who and how frequently they
serve.
Visit the Senior Corps
Site to Learn More About RSVP
To learn more about Senior Corps and how your organization may be able to partner,
contact the New York Corporation State Office: