VISTA Opportunities in Breathtaking Boulder
RSVP of Boulder and Broomfield Counties Mission: RSVP's mission is to provide seniors in Boulder County the opportunity to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways by volunteering and to promote the independence and comfort of seniors and adults with disabilities. RSVP provides Carry-Out Caravan (grocery shopping and delivery), Fix-It (minor home repair), Fraud Prevention and Companionship services for seniors and adults with disabilities.
History: Now in its 34th year, RSVP was founded in 1972 under the auspices of ACTION; and has been an independent 501c(3) organization since 1981. In 1993, RSVP became part of the Corporation for National and Community Service Beneficiaries of programs: RSVP served 7,687 unduplicated clients in 2005. Clients are adults with disabilities and seniors. A majority of clients are low-income, frail elderly over the age of 75.
Member Duties : The two AmeriCorps*VISTAs will be charged with strengthening RSVP's Companionship Services and assisting staff in developing a Volunteer Transportation program. The programs overlap because many of the clients will be served simultaneously by both the Volunteer Transportation and Companionship Programs. For example, many of RSVP's current Companionship clients are informally using their volunteers to transport them to doctors appointments and other outings. In addition, many seniors need much more than a ride; often they need a volunteer to drive to them their appointments and sit with them in the waiting room. Although the programs will be separate, it will be critical for the two VISTAs to work closely together to ensure that clients receive proper attention from the programs.
Program Benefits : Choice of $4725 Education Award or $1200 End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage, Mileage, Living Allowance, Training .
Terms: Requires full-time service without outside commitments .
Service Area: Community Outreach, Elder Care, Health .
Skills: Counseling, Communications, Community Organization, Computers/Technology, Education, Fund raising/Grant Writing, Public Health, Public Speaking, Recruitment, Teaching/Tutoring, Writing/Editing, General Skills.
Contact: Emily Ditty, 951 Arapahoe Ave #10, Boulder, CO 80302 (303) 443-1933 emilyditty@rsvpboulder.org