Volunteer
In July 2008 the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), Area Agency on Aging (AAA) was awarded a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to serve as sponsor for the RSVP program in metro Atlanta. RSVP is the country’s largest volunteer network for people age 55 and older, engaging more than 400,000 older adults in volunteer service annually.
Metro Atlanta RSVP is looking to capture the talents of experienced adults who are looking for meaningful, challenging ways to give back to their community. This program serves Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. Volunteer opportunities focus on civic engagement, community education and outreach to help older adults and people with disabilities maintain healthy, independent lifestyles.
Additionally, metro Atlanta RSVP is an important component of ARC’s Lifelong Communities initiative which is working with local communities to create a regional response to the growing older adult population from the ground up. The three-pronged approach is developing strategies to provide the housing and transportation options older adults need, encourage healthy lifestyles and expand access to information and services. RSVP volunteers will play a critical role providing education and outreach so older adults can make informed choices about available services and programs.
See a short interview about RSVP with the RSVP program director.
Key community issues volunteers will address through RSVP include:
How to Access Needed Services
Volunteer to provide outreach and education to older adults and people with disabilities to help increase awareness of the basic programs and services available to them, reduce barriers to accessing these services in their community, and help them to identify agencies they can turn to for assistance.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Importance of Preventive Health Services
Volunteer to provide outreach and education to older adults and people with disabilities to help increase their awareness of the importance of preventive services and the many free/low cost services that are available to them.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Consumer Fraud
Volunteer to provide outreach and education to older adults, people with disabilities and their families regarding information on common scams, tips and tools they need to protect themselves from consumer fraud.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Computer Literacy
Volunteer to provide introductory and advanced computer training to older adults so they have increased access to information, remain connected to family/friends and have marketable job skills.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Medicare Insurance Counseling
Volunteer to provide counseling and education to those eligible for Medicare and their caregivers about Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare related insurance options, pharmacy assistance programs, and other issues related to health insurance benefits. In addition volunteers will help beneficiaries complete assistance applications; help with comparison and evaluation of health insurance and managed care plans; and make referrals as appropriate.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Environmental Awareness
Volunteer to provide outreach and education to older adults and people with disabilities to help increase awareness on different environmental issues that affect their health and their community.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Disaster Preparedness
Volunteer to provide outreach and education to older adults and people with disabilities to help increase their awareness or how to prepare their homes, pets and themselves for all types of emergency situations that may occur.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Assistance to Seniors and Senior Centers
Volunteer to provide supportive services to older adults and people with disabilities via direct service and support to senior center program delivery.
Volunteers are needed for the following opportunities:
Volunteers are also need to support RSVP program outreach and operations. Opportunities include:
For more information on Atlanta Regional Commission volunteer opportunities, e-mail volunteer@atlantaregional.com or contact Kristie Sharp at 404.463.0437.
Last modified Tuesday, November 25, 2008 14:30
