The Minnesota Senior Corps Association (MnSC) is a professional membership organization that supports a unified mission of the Foster Grandparent Programs (FGP), Senior Companion Programs (SCP) and Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) throughout the state of Minnesota.
The MnSC Association provides an infrastructure to achieve the highest standards possible in matching the skills, experience and talents of volunteers 55 plus to meet pressing community needs throughout the state.
In 2009, the MnSC member programs represented 19,289 volunteers who served 2.7 million hours throughout Minnesota.
The programs that comprise the MnSC include:
* The Foster Grandparent Program: Foster Grandparent volunteers make significant contributions to the children and youth in their local community through their service of 15-40 hours per week. They serve at partnering agencies, such as schools, head start programs, daycares, homeless shelters and alternative learning centers. Foster Grandparents are mentors and tutors, providing children and youth with the extra time, encouragement and love to help them achieve their behavioral and academic goals. Last year, 913 Foster Grandparents spent 604,949 hours making an impact on the lives of 11,914 children and youth.
‘
*The Senior Companion Program: Senior Companion volunteers make independence a reality for those who are struggling to retain independence in their own life. These volunteers become a companion to a frail person, and help that person stay in their own home. Whether it's giving family members or caregivers much-needed time off, running errands or simply being a friend, they make a difference that strengthens and helps preserve an individual's independence. The contributions made by Senior Companions also help control the rising costs of health care. In 2009, 439 Senior Companions provided 261,882 hours of assistance to 2,292 seniors.
*RSVP: Community members who choose to volunteer through the services of RSVP are provided with personalized placement services that match their skills, expertise, experience, schedules and passions with volunteer opportunities that meet pressing needs in their own community. Local nonprofit partners, who in many cases, are struggling to meet growing needs in a climate of shrinking resources, rely on RSVP to recruit and place volunteers within their organizations, to increase their impact in the community. Last year, 17,937 RSVP volunteers donated 1,823,105 hours of service to non-profits that help people of all ages.
MnSC programs have a significant and direct local impact, recruiting, training and placing an increasing number of volunteers statewide. The MnSC plays a vital role in supporting the American culture of citizenship, service and responsibility. During this time of mounting social needs and renewed interest in citizen service, the MnSC plays an imperative role in implementing volunteer service.
Since 1977, the MnSC has functioned as a statewide entity to support the growth, sustainability, innovation and adaptability of the Senior Corps programs throughout the state. MnSC Association members are uniquely positioned to positively influence volunteerism throughout Minnesota, with a demonstrated expertise and success in mobilizing volunteers 55 and over-currently the fastest growing and largest segment of our population.
MnSC members serve as a referral service for volunteers on a statewide level, serving even the most rural populations in our state. In many cases, the MnSC programs serve as the conduit, referral source and implementer, allowing service agencies to reach persons living in isolated areas, who would otherwise be unable to access services.
"Service isn't just for the young...so many people who are retired are at the prime of their lives...we need their skills and gifts to pass on to the next generation." -First Lady Michelle Obama
Our Mission
The MnSC improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement in Minnesota- by supporting the growth, sustainability, innovation and adaptability of the Senior Corps programs, by striving to increase the number of new volunteers and by increasing the impact and value of volunteer service.
Serving with local non-profits, schools, faith-based organizations and other groups, these 55 and over citizen volunteers help to build nonprofit capacity and meet the ever-changing needs in communities throughout Minnesota. MnSC focuses on a range of efforts to create new opportunities for Minnesotans to serve, emphasizing service within key state and national priority areas, increasing efficiency and accountability, supporting social innovation, and strengthening Minnesota's volunteer infrastructure.
MnSC volunteers help seniors remain in their homes, mentor and tutor children and youth, build homes for low-income persons, feed the hungry, increase environmental awareness and community safety, respond to emergencies and disasters and much more. MnSC volunteers also serve children in foster care, children of prisoners, immigrants, adult ex-offenders and provide respite to caregivers. Whatever type of new or on-going needs that people in the community may have, senior corps volunteers make the difference.
Why We Need a New Website
A key structural component of the MnSC statewide marketing plan includes the need to create an interactive, highly resourceful website targeted towards increasing the number of new volunteers enrolled, while also enhancing the volunteer experience of current volunteers.
Likely website components include; online video and resource materials as they pertain to the value of volunteering, volunteer opportunities, and stories of volunteers currently making a difference. In addition, volunteers will be able to submit their volunteer hours via the website, learn about additional volunteer opportunities, and submit success stories of their own. A user-friendly referral system will allow volunteers from across the state to access local program information regarding the MnSC program in their location.
A new website will help to meet an increase in demand for volunteers, including those who are highly skilled and technologically savvy. Due to a higher demand for services on Minnesota's non-profits who are dealing with stagnant or decreased funding, they turn to the MnSC to provide volunteers to help them accomplish their mission. The website will also be an information resource for funders, donors and recipients of service. A section built-in for accepting online donations is desirable.
A password protected intranet will act as a statewide MnSC member library of sorts, where members can post work plans, share successes and resources, discuss concerns and communicate with other MnSC members. We will also benefit from having links to sites such as the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Minnesota Board on Aging and other program partners.
We are very open to new possibilities and suggestions. We would however, appreciate a website that is easy to maintain on an ongoing basis. We will designate individuals who will be responsible for ongoing website maintenance.
How Our New Site Will Help Make the World Greener
1) A new website will provide a perfect format to post information online and significantly decrease the information shared via printed publications which will save time and money, while reducing waste. It will provide a stage where the MnSC can demonstrate the impact of their services throughout the state through annual reports, stories, etc.
2) With the inclusion of an intranet, a new website will allow online training and decrease the need for travel to meetings with people from across the state. It would provide MnSC members with a common location to communicate online.
3) A new website will allow recruitment of more volunteers that can be placed in "green" initiatives across the state, which include opportunities that promote ecological responsibility including environmental awareness, recycling, energy conservation, community gardening, rain gardens, prairie restoration, seed collection, building homes using "green" materials, and more.
When the judges choose which non-profits will be selected to participate in this year's Challenge they will take into account testimonials from beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, board members and other
I live in Princeton MN and we have many programs here with regard to Senior Corp..I am a volunteer with the RSVP through our Used Clothing Center. I have also had contact with the Foster grandparents program and the Kinship. These are all very vauable assets to our small community here in Princeton.. At the PUCC we are a complete volunteer program with NO ONE in a paid position...I think that speaks for inself , in 2008 we gave over $14,000 back to our community, plus we pay rent and utilities..I sit on the board and volunteer there regularly. In this ecomony the PUCC is a necessity in a town of our size or in any community...Please consider us when you make a selection. Thank You, Diann Boser 1322 Shady LN Princeton MN 55371 763 389 2555
Diann Boser volunteer and board member.
My experience with the MN Senior Corp program has been most satisfying and fulfilling. As a youth, and now as a young adult, I have volunteered in some of the intergenerational projects that RSVP has had. Working in an intergenerational setting with seniors was a very positive and pleasant experience. It's great to see people from different walks of life come together for common goals and give back in a capacity that they are comfortable and able to.
Senior Corp programs fulfill needed roles in society for both the volunteers and the people they serve. I believe the programs contribute even more, with it's image of intergenerational cooperation and camaraderie. I believe that many young people, who have been involved, have seen this as an inspirational experience.
All in all, volunteering with a Senior Corp program was the best non profit organizational experience I've had, and it's hard to even scratch the surface of how many aspects of society this program impacts.
Ryan R. Holden- Volunteer
As a major funder of individual Senior Corps programs in Minnesota, the Corporation for National and Community Service strongly supports this application to The Nerdy Overnight Website Challenge.
Collectively, nonprofits administering Senior Corps programming from around the state provide strong leadership in response to President Obama’s call to service. As interest continues to grow, these organizations must increase their capacity to meet the greater numbers of individuals who see needs and are willing to volunteer their time to guide positive change in their communities.
The Minnesota Senior Corps Association (MnSC) coordinates this effort by working collaboratively with its member organizations to support volunteering among Minnesotans age 55+. This group provides the necessary group structure that will help move Minnesota in a positive direction by engaging citizens in making their communities better.
Your assistance provided through this application provides a critical link that will help improve MnSC’s ability to provide infrastructure to support increased volunteering in the state. Currently, web-based resources available to these organizations do not allow for the sharing of information among member organizations and are aimed at a national audience. By working with The Nerdy Overnight Website Challenge, the MnSC will be able to create a resource that both supports organizations who provide leadership in volunteering and will create a marketing venue for targeting potential/current volunteers.
With your support, communities across Minnesota will be able to leverage the good will of their citizens and will provide an opportunity for the organizers of this competition to make a positive impact over a large geographic area.
Thank you for providing this resource to nonprofit organizations and for your commitment to our communities.
Mark Cullen, State Program Specialist, Corporation for National and Community Service
Mn Senior Corp is a wonderful program that enables communities around MN to fulfill their needs with volunteers. This program provides a strong foundation and provides guidance in connecting volunteers with opportunities within their own communities. Keeping generations connected, food shelves staffed, and many many other things makes Sr. Corp. priceless. They continue to provide assistance to agencies throughout MN to keep fulfilling needs within non profit organizations.
Krisie Charnley LSW Volunteer Services Director
Minnesota Senior Corps supports older adult volunteers with active engagement in the community by providing volunteer services opportunities with at risk youth, frail elderly and hundreds of non-profit human service agencies across the state. As the baby boomers age, an attractive, updated and informative web site will be needed to entice them to give back to their community. Minnesota Senior Corps is a leader in the field of volunteerism and needs to have a more prominent web presence. We work hard for the betterment of all communities.
Lisa J. Braun, RSVP Director, Minnesota Senior Corps member and past-Chair
With the tough economic times, volunteers are more critically important than ever for Minnesota’s nonprofits – especially older volunteers as a recent study by the MN Association for Volunteer Administration found they have been the age group most stable in volunteering in the shifting economic times. The Senior Corp is a major force in Minnesota for connecting volunteers with where they are needed most. With a network spreading across the state they do an awesome job recruiting and placing volunteers and encouraging volunteerism. They do this equally well in the urban metro area, and sparsely populated rural areas. Needing to cover such a big area, and parts of the state where distances are far, makes a top notch website extra important. A top notch website also is critical because of the changing patterns of their 55+ target group. Big changes have happened in the past five years in older adults using the web for finding volunteer opportunities. This is a high growth area with the 70+ learning new web skills and the Boomers with their love of the internet starting to retire.
The high quality work of the Senior Corp is a big part of why MN ranks third in the nation in volunteering, but there is still more to do. A new website for the Senior Corp would generate excitement to volunteer, increase communication and advance volunteerism in Minnesota.
Mary Quirk, Project Manager, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Adminstration. We partner with Senior Corp members on trainings and project.
As a member of Mn Senior Corp I want to include my testimonial in support of the organization’s application for technical web support .The organization provides seniors like me with the opportunity and structure to use our leisure time for the benefit of the community. Its a “two for” benefitting the seniors as well as the many community organizations they help. I have long hopped they would be able to develop a web site that was accessible to more seniors looking for volunteer opportunities. This is such an ideal opportunity for them!!
C harlane Pehoski Volunteer
Greetings,
In the next 5 years there will be more people retiring than any time in human history. Few organizations have the great joy and burden of having their mission meet up with a great societal need. That is how I view MN SeniorCorps. With a large part of our knowledge base and community retiring or making a life transition into retirement or a second career, our society must find a way to meaningfully engage those resources for the betterment of the seniors and society. SeniorCorps is multidisciplinary and its impacts reach all generations. I ask you to help SeniorCorps take on this huge task.
You have an opportunity to change an organization. I ask you to multiply the impact and support SeniorCorps.
Paul Cumings, Legislative Aide and Community Partner
One by one, thousands of stories of community impact are created by Senior Corps volunteers. Last year, 419 Foster Grandparents serving through Lutheran Social Service commited 15 to 20 hours each week to tutor and mentor over 2600 children - contributing over 300,000 hours of service. 366 Senior Companion volunteers provided non-medical assistance, companionship and transportation to 1900 frail elderly clients, helping 91 % of them stay in their homes for that year, with over 254,000 hours of service. Other FGP programs and RSVP volunteers generate thousands of extraordinary stories of impact as well. To maintain this impact, our Senior Corps Association needs a top flight web-site to successfully to tell our stories and recruit new baby boomer volunteers to carry on this torch of community service. We need a website that allows for effective communication between programs and assures an easy too use avenue for an army of new retirees to access service opportunities.
John Bringewatt, Director of Lutheran Social Service's Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs.
More and more potential Foster Grandparent / Senior Companion / RSVP candidates are searching the web to find opportunities and more information. We need a place to tell our story about how working together can create a significant impact in our communities. I had a potential volunteer call me yesterday and she had googled Foster Grandparents and come up with an obsolete listing. We cannot afford to lose potential volunteers.
Marcia Ferris, Senior Corps supervisor Central MN
Senior Corps is such a valuable group. I volunteered as a senior companion and still have a companion. This program is helping many older people stay in their homes where they would rather be. It is also a wonderful, fulfilling way to seniors to contribute to their community.
Jane Erickson, former Volunteer Leader for LSS, present volunteer with Minnesota Council on Aging, helping seniors with insurance needs.
I've been part of the foster grandparent program for three years now and love watching my first graders learn and grow. They do so much better with the one-on-one attention fostergrandparets can give them. Of course the progam runs both directions giving volunteers valuable experiences and tons of love. One thing I really like is the way the programs interact with other social programs in the community. Web sites are the information sites of the present and future. We need them to be accurate and up to date.
Jan Lamser foster grandparent at Garfield Elementary in Brainerd, MN
Carver County is very pleased to have a RSVP Outreach Coordinator working in our County for the next year. While our total population is expected to double by 2030, our 65+ population is expected to be five times as large. We know people want to age in place and understand the important role volunteers will play in making that possible.
Katy Boone, Carver County Office of Aging and supporter
In my capacity as a Volunteer Coordinator, I see the invaluable service the Senior volunteers offer our community on a daily basis. As more people retire to our beautiful lakes area, the need for a web site connecting services is becoming a real necessity-both for the seniors and the community they serve.
Susan B. Rogers, school volunteer coordinator
Having been involved with, Meals on Wheels, & the, Senior Companion program for eight years now ,has been a rewarding experience,& a learning , experience,as well. To be able to help these seniors, stay in their home,& make their life a little easier, & more enjoyable, helps me also, in many ways. A very worth while program, which should be continued,& expanded.
Jim Hufford, Senior Companion,Crow wing county
Anonymous
Without Senior Corps Volunteers, the elderly would not be able to remain in their own homes but would have to be taken care of by county social services in institutional-like assisted living facilities and nursing homes, thus placing on the taxpayers a huge burden. I receive from my volunteering a great sense of fulfillment, satisfaction, and knowledge that I'm making the world a better place, even if only in a small way.
Sue Stine, Volunteer County Team Leader, Older Adult Team and Senior Companion Program Volunteer (Senior Corps)
I have been a Senior Companion since 2000, and find it very satisfying in being able to help the elderly to be able to stay in their own homes, which gives the taxpayers relief, my clients are like a second family to me, without this program these people would be in nursing homes, or assisted living places. This is a well worth while program and should be continued. Senior Corps Volunteers, are a great help in their community's both in helping the elderly and the gratification that they get out of volunteering their time and talent.
Phyllis Novak, Senior Companion Fergus Falls Senior Center, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Phyllis Novak, Volunteer, Senior Companion, Fergus Falls Senior Center, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
There are few better goals for our society then to connect elderly with children. Both are in need of attention. Both heal one another. Both are suffering the results of a nation that has determined that the ideal family model requires all adults to be employed at least full time in order to maintain a social lifestyle deemed culturally appropriate for our times. The senior corps and senior services will be a key component to keeping our nation strong during an era where the elderly will have the largest percentage of our nation's citizens in our nation's history. I urge you to support this nonprofit.
George Weber, School Superintendent
Senior Corps is the state’s best kept secret – however – we don’t think it’s a good secret to keep. The baby boomers are reaching their 50’s and 60’s and they want to be involved in their community. Our Programs have a 45 year history and quite frankly our website is functional but it isn't “sexy.” It doesn't appeal to this tremendous resource (Baby Boomers) that is becoming available, making them unreachable to us, and limiting their volunteer experience opportunities. We believe that an updated website will help us to match more people with their local community's needs. It will also increase the diversity of our volunteers. We need a major change - please help us.
Jackie Johnson, Foster Grandparent Program, St. Cloud
Matching a Senior Companion volunteer with an older, isolated senior and watching a warm friendship develop is a true reward. It often happens that an adult child out of town or out of state, will search for assistance for their aging parents on the internet. It would be very helpful to have an up to date website to make this more effective.
Tricia Martin, Coordinator for Aitkin County
Both my husband and I have volunteered for Sr. Corps programs and have personally seen the need for these programs in the community. The program has been a Godsend for many of our freinds and neighbors. With the addition of baby boomers retiring, the need for these services are increasing daily. Loneliness is one of the biggest problems affecting our seniors today. Your help and support is invaluable.
Gail Mayerchak, volunteer
I am a coordinator for a group of 25 senior citizens, all who are members of RSVP, and we volunteer over 2,500 hours each year. The use of a website by "Nerdy Overnight" sounds wonderful.
Our group sings and entertains seniors in East Central MN. at nursing homes, assisted living facilities and anywhere seniors may gather. Having a way to receive information online that is dedicated to volunteers, would be extremely valuable to us. We are not a large organization, but even small groups like ours need and deserve the resources available to larger organizations and that connect us statewide.
Please strongly consider this MnSC application for the "Nerdy Overnight Website Challenge".
Virginia Johnson, RSVP Volunteer and Coordinator for the Pine City Singers
I have been in the Foster Grandparent program for five years and this year work with children in twenty plus classes from kindergarten through the fifth grade. I volunteer two full days a week listening to the children read, helping them with pronunciation, enunciation, comprehention, etc. It is not a remedial emphasis but an effort to help keep students with reading difficulties from falling through the cracks. The teachers are so grateful for any
additional one on one opportunites for their students and I have the time to provide the help. It is a win-win situation. I derive such pleasure being
again associated with the young children and recall the wonderful days of parenting our little ones. Even the "unloveables" are loveable, regardless
of appearance, behavior, etc. and it is a joy when their reading improves and moreso their disposition, etc. It is also disheartening when a child is
really struggling and you know if things don't get turned around, its future quality of life is in question. This program offers me something to do that
I enjoy. For the students, they have an older grandpa to relate to and they eagerly comply and benefit in the process with a better shot at life.
Dave Anderson, Foster Grandpa, Pequot lakes, Mn.
I have been a part of Senior Corps programs now for almost five years as a staff person for either the Foster Grandparent or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. In that short time, I have been inspired on a daily basis by the senior volunteers of each program who address childhood poverty and mentor youth, respond to natural disasters, and help frail, elderly individuals maintain their independence, amongst many other needs. Senior Corps volunteers' sense of humor, motivation to serve their community, and dedication to living life to its fullest are a great example for everyone who is learning how to "grow up" successfully! A website makeover for MN Senior Corps would allow each of the three programs to attract the next generation of older adults, who I'm sure, will be just as dedicated to meeting community needs with a sense of humor and a commitment to social justice. Despite their interest in volunteerism, Baby Boomers don't necessarily utilize the "traditional" avenues of engagement that our current technology (or lack thereof) supports. They demand blogs, interactive media, online enrollment and referral processes, and much more that the current website does not offer. Please help a great organization like MN Senior Corps continue to recruit and place older adult volunteers throughout the State of MN by utilizing the technological skills of volunteers ...who could some day join our ranks! From Nerdery volunteer to Senior Corps volunteer...its all about the example we set for "growing up!"
Laura Hammond, RSVP Staff Member
On behalf of the Vital Aging Network, I strongly support the Senior Corps' proposal for a first class website. Their work for seniors thougthout the state of MN is invaluable, and a stronger and more useable web presence will enhance their work. It is organizations like this that make this a better world for older people to get inviolved, stay active, give back to their communites, and stay healthy longer. They need to be selected so that older people throughout the state can stay informed and communicate with each other.
Tom Hyder, Coordinator, Vital Aging Network - a partner organization
This society has had 20 years added to the middle of life and both we vital agers and the community are healthier when we use our time to help each other. Volunteer coordinators and recruiters realize that new tools and rules are needed to attract Boomers as members of the Senior Corps and other volunteer efforts. A first class website is an absolutely necessary tool to attract tech-savvy Boomers. The Senior Corps campaign has been generated by experienced leaders who are rallying a broad base of support for their effort. The potential of Productive Aging is so great. Please help the Senior Corps to move ahead with this opportunity!!
Jan Hively (Janet M Hively), Co-founder: Vital Aging Network, Mn Creative Arts and Aging Network, SHiFT Network; Volunteer
I have been a foster grandparent for a number of years and you have no idea the impact we make on children. Not only helping them with learning skills, but how they love the attenion ....How even years later they see you outside of your site and they hug you and their eye light up. If they are with someone not familiar with the program they tell them that's Grandma Deb!!!!
Deborah Gyllenblad, volunteer Foster Grandma
The contributions of Minnesota Senior Corps (MnSC) volunteers are truly impressive!
My first experience with a MnSC program was when I was the facilitator of volunteers for a local school district that served as a Retired Senior Volunteer Program host site. That was about three decades ago and MnSC programs continue to thrive today. I still recall the beaming faces of children when volunteers helped them work on skills in reading and math and the children began to experience success. I have continued to interact with MnSC leadership in a variety of capacities ever since and greatly respect the vital role MnSC programs play in the life of the community.
Support for a “state of the art” MnSC Website will put in place a vital piece of the necessary infrastructure for a stronger Minnesota volunteer community that has the capacity to achieve results.
Paula J. Beugen, Community Change Consultant and Volunteer
At the cusp of the Age Wave, Baby Boomers are redefining their aging process. Promoting volunteerism promotes the well being of both the recipient communities as well as of the senior volunteers by promoting social, physical and intellectual activity. I have been nothing but impressed with everyone I have been in contact with regarding RSVP (a branch of Senior Corps enabling senior altruism). The diverse programming in Rice County alone ranges from Habitat for Humanity, the local food shelf, an established penpal program with local second graders, and a volunteer-lead, osteoporosis prevention exercise program. The seniors involved in the organization that they truly feel valued not only at their volunteer site but by RSVP, in particular the program coordinator. A deserved program.
Sarah Bosch, RSVP student volunteer
The Senior Corp programs meet a need in communities to promote and support volunteerism amongst our senior members. I have been a program coordinator with RSVP for almost five years and in that time have seen the direct impact of the Senior Corp programs in communities. Quite simply, social needs are better met: more volunteers in schools, mentoring programs, companions for the elderly and overall, a priority and value placed on volunteerism for those over age 55. What we desperately need is an updated, user-friendly website that shares information on the three Senior Corp programs in one united site.
Deb Johnson-Schad, RSVP Program Coordinator, Rice & Goodhue Counties
This challenge is critical for the MN Senior Corp. Association. I say this because we are a voice for millions of seniors 55+ and over that are changing the dynamics of communities every day. Each and every day seniors are connecting, reaching out to children, families and other seniors to make a difference, reminding everyone of how absolutly vital seniors are. This website will make a huge impact on our day to day interaction with volunteers, RSVP staff, and the communities around us. Our ability to promote, encourage and engage volunteers will be endless.
Randi Bryan-Pajari RSVP Director West Central MN Communities Action, Inc.
For several recent years, I had the opportunity to serve on the RSVP Advisory Committee. In this capacity I continued to see how the staff and volunteers were very committed to providing great service not only in the twin city area but across the state of MN. It has been a dream of this organization to strengthen communication between its volunteers, staff and community, and to gain new volunteers for the many needs of the community. A more creative and user friendly website would help the organization attract new volunteers and also retain those who use the web as a source for valuable information. I encourage the judges of Web-Site Challenge to choose Senior Corp. Thank-you!
Kathleen Mary Kiemen SSND, Volunteer and past RSVP Advisory Board Member
Anonymous
ive been with foster grandparent program for over a year and it great place to be. it not only help the children that might not have grandparents near them but it help keep grandma and grandpa young usefull and the reward that for helping the little ones make you feel good that you can be use full to so many wonderful children that just might need someone to listen to play with. i sure do enjoy my time with children . thanks foster grandparent for letting me be part of you and your program. grandma jan
grandma jan im a happy to be volunteer
As a past member of the RSVP Advisory Council and an active volunteer I see a great need for a user friendly web site for volunteers, staff, and the community. Being on the Advisory Council provided much information regarding the many ways seniors are helped through many community organizations. I think it would be wonderful for seniors to go to a website and see what opportunities are available for them to give back to their community or to find an organization that may fill a need for them. I know there are many like me who were not aware of the many ways for seniors to share. It is so important for seniors to be active, giving citizens of their communities. Senior Corps are very deserving of a great interactive web site.
Margaret Bump, Volunteer and past Advisory Council member
Minnesota Senior Corps is in desperate need of a make-over. I have seen the benefits of the Senior Dining program, Meals on Wheels, the RSVP program Bone Builders and the Senior Companion program by the benefit my grandmother, Mom and Dad received. Seeing how benifical it was for them I wanted to get involved in some of the programs also; but navigating the web site to get information was cumbersome. I was persistant and didn't give up until I found what I needed. But many of our seniors are not computer savy so they need to find information quickly and easily. With an improved website information can be readily available and the potential volunteers be conveniently matched to their areas of expertise. Seniors are one of our most precious resources and we need to include them in our world today.
Deb Kauffmann, RSVP Bone Builders leader
The RSVP/America Reads program came to my attention in the fall of 2001. Considering my own grandchildren lived 1500 miles away, I thought that this program would give me the opportunity to help somebody else's children in their reading endeavors. I spend 2 hours each week at my local elementary school and this has proved to be such a postive experience for me, as I have seen young students eagerly strive to advance in their skills. I am now in my ninth year, the welcome and affection I receive from these children is very rewarding and helps in a way to make up for the absence of my own grandchildren. I also am a member of the RSVP Advisory Council for Beltrami County and I have to say that this has given me an inside perspective on all the many ways that volunteers are contributing to the many segments of our community and that we have hundreds of volunteers here doing amazing things! RSVP has helped to make this possible!
Allen Benson, RSVP Volunteer and Advisory Council Member for Beltrami County
I work with the Horizon Health RSVP Project in the Bemidji area. I coordinate one of our signiture programs-America Reads and have done so for 12 years. I have had the opportunity to experience the rewards and benefits to the children and older adults in our community first hand. We provide a tool for volunteers and support for non-profits that would not exist if RSVP didn't exist. The non-profits in our area struggle with needs that their budgets just do not cover and so our support and talented volunteers help to meet these needs. We feed the hungry, listen to children read, tutor children with math, help adults learn to read, help the elderly, provide osteoporosis excersise classes for free, deliver meals to the homebound and the list goes on and on. Senior Corps programs are an important part of every community and we are blessed to have them here in Beltrami County and the Bemidji area to help make our great community a desired place to live and work.
Ardis Lucken, RSVP/America Reads Coordinator, Bemidji, MN. Beltrami County
Looking to invest your time into a website that has the ability to serve the greatest number of your Minnesota neighbors?
The MN Senior Corps website is it.
As clearly stated in many of the testimonials supporting the Senior Corps application, it is clear that our programs are built upon the backs of dedicated volunteers providing honorable services making the lives of our Minnesota neighbor’s better every single day.
Less clearly stated, however, is the unmatched magnitude of the Senior Corps program’s proven ability to meet critical needs on a statewide level. We support the work of more than 20,000 volunteers who provide critical services in every county across our great state. Without them, these needs would be unmet – unable to be provided by struggling agencies that simply cannot meet them at the local level (particularly in rural communities).
The infrastructure is in place. We specialize in providing volunteers the opportunity to do great things in the community in which they live. We are fully prepared to welcome a whole-new wave of volunteers that can be brought in through a top-notch website. We need their help. Your neighbors are relying on them. And we need you to help us reach them through our website.
If you choose to honor the application of the MN Senior Corps you will be choosing to invest in your Minnesota neighbors who are looking for ways to serve. And you will be investing in your neighbors who are waiting for the services they can provide. Please invest in your neighbors. Invest in the MN Senior Corps.
Thank you.
Jennifer Halberg - RSVP Program Director, Winona - MnSC Association Acting President
RSVP is a service program directing volunteers to serve their communities by volunteering in nursing homes, assisted living accomodations, and other services to the older citizens in our community. Personal assistance and family support are graciouusly given to patients, residents, and their families. Personally, our family and I received willing support from a Hospice volunteer during the last day of life for a dear aunt.
RSVP and West Central Action Initiatives provided food for those in our community experiencing proverty prior to the Holiday Season. A semi trailer filled with food donated by a grocery chain store came to our community center where volunteers from our community unloaded the trailer and helped local residents select, package, and carry food to their cars. Other volunteers provided transportation for the recipients to and from the "food drop" site. This service to our community was organized through the two agencies mentioned. Steve Nagle, executive director, rode in the truck as it made the journey to the three sites where food was distributed, Starbuck being one of the sites. We look forward tko the next food distribution which will occur late this winter. Community members were very appeciative of the availablity of the food prior to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
RSVP provides assistance to low-income families needing their income tax filed. Retired seniors compile the forms and electonically mail them to the state and federal government.
RSVP is organizing an assistance service to older and/or low income families so that their homes can be improved by volunteers in the Community Work Group program. Young people will work in Starbuck in mid July to paint the exterior or homes, build whellchair ramps, or otherwise the somes of people in Starbuck, Glenwood, Morris, and Benson.
As an RSVP Board volunteer, I see and appreciate the leadership and effectiveness of the RSVP program and its leaders.
Virginia Hagestuen--Board member and volunteer
RSVP provides so much so many in need, I've seen the volunteerism that created by the agency is incredible I can't even imagine the value of all their time and services.
You can them every where there is a need-
Senior dinning sites and that also includes meals on wheels for our homebound elders; with out this many of our elders would go hungry.
Schools find them invaluable with their services, the children love having work with them helping with reading, homework, and teaching morals that some might not have with both parents working or many now coming from single parent homes.
