Hampshire/Franklin RSVP News

RSVP is pleased to announce our new partnership with the Jones Library ESL Center in Amherst.  The Jones Library E.S.L. Center is an award winning program providing volunteer tutors, tutoring space, study materials, computer-assisted instruction, citizenship classes, English classes and referrals to adult immigrants in the Amherst area.

Volunteers are needed to tutor adult English Language learners.  If you can meet with an adult immigrant twice a week; speak English fluently and clearly; are a supportive listener; enjoy learning about other cultures; attend 4 training sessions (or have prior experience/training); and can volunteer for at least 9 months or two semesters; then consider volunteering as an E.S.L. tutor at the Jones Library.

This is a great way to meet new people, have fun, and really make a difference in someone’s life.  The next tutor training sessions will be held on Thursdays,
September 16, 23, 30 and October 7, 2010 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm.  Prior experience and/or training may be substituted for the training in some cases.

Contact RSVP today for more info!

We are hiring a Program Coordinator for our Osteoporosis Exercise Program.  The position is 10 hours/week and requires frequent travel throughout Hampshire and Franklin Counties.  Visit www.hampshirecog.org for the full job description.

From today’s article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette:

Franklin County RSVP awarded competitive $20K grant

By THE DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE
Staff Writer

Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Hampshire and Franklin counties recently won a grant of $20,000 to support its work with 650 area volunteers, according to the program’s director, Megan Barber.

Barber said the RSVP program is one of 48 the country to receive the grant in an award made last month. She estimated that 375 programs applied.

“I was thrilled,” she said. “We put a lot of work into the grant application and thinking about what were some community needs that we could really impact through volunteer service.”

The Corporation for National and Community Service named the local RSVP a “Program of National Significance” a distinction that came with the grant. The money will be used to fund after school programs and exercise classes.

RSVP of Hampshire and Franklin Counties, with its staff of three, is one of the largest RSVPs in the state. Its staff is made up of two full-time employees, Barber, Pat Sicard, volunteer coordinator, and Barbara Tessier, who works 10 hours a week as a data-entry clerk.

The program connects volunteers over 55 with various nonprofit and public agencies. The 650 volunteers, the oldest of whom is 95, in Hampshire and Franklin counties work at nearly 60 different agencies.

The local program is funded mainly by the Corporation for National and Community Service, but is also sponsored by the Hampshire Council of Governments.

Barber said she sought the grant after learning that the Corporation for National and Community Service was having a competition, looking to award the grants to particular programs that provide exceptional service in many areas, including independent living and after-school programming.

With the money, Barber said that RSVP will improve two of its current programs. One of those is an osteoporosis exercise program in which volunteers are trained to lead strength-training classes for seniors. Barber said while it has been very successful, it has only been featured in Hampshire County. The grant will allow the program to recruit and train more class leaders and expand to Franklin County.

The other is an after-school program for elementary and middle school students, which RSVP runs in a partnership with the Hampshire Education Collaborative. Barber said that the grant money will allow the organization to recruit more volunteers to help the young students with their homework, and sometimes lead special activities like science or art projects.

The rest of the grant money will go toward reaching out to primarily alumni from local colleges, but also throughout the community to help with marketing materials and to recruit more people to help with the after-school programs, she said.

Barber stressed that RSVP is always looking for more volunteers to help with these programs. For more information, go to www.rsvphf.org.

There are 741 RSVP programs in the United States.

The South Hadley Council on Aging is looking for people to help out with their lunchtime Nutrition Program this summer.  Many of their regular volunteers go on vacations or take time off in the summer, so substitutes are needed to set tables, serve seniors who need assistance, and post-meal clean-up during the summer months.

The South Hadley Senior Center is a lively place full of good people.  Let us know if you’d like to help out!

Baystate Franklin Medical Center urgently needs 10 new volunteers to staff the reception desk at the hospital. Volunteers are needed to fill various shifts throughout the week.  BFMC is an excellent place to volunteer.  If you’ve got great customer service skills and like working with the public, then this is the opportunity for you!  Contact RSVP Volunteer Coordinator, Pat Sicard, at (413) 584-1300 x183 or psicard@hampshirecog.org for more information.

This just in from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that oversees RSVP:

Washington, DC – Despite difficult economic times, the number of Americans volunteering in their communities jumped by 1.6 million last year, the largest increase in six years, according to a report released today by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Corporation’s annual Volunteering in America report found that 63.4 million Americans volunteered through a formal organization last year, giving more than 8.1 billion hours of volunteer service worth an estimated $169 billion.

“Americans have responded to tough economic times by volunteering in big numbers,” said Patrick Corvington, the Corporation’s CEO. “What we’re seeing is the depth of the American spirit and generosity at its best. People are turning toward problems, working with their neighbors to find solutions to real problems, from homelessness to the dropout crisis.”

Previous research would suggest that volunteering should drop during an economic downturn, because volunteer rates are higher among job-holders and homeowners.  Instead, volunteering increased at the fastest rate in six years, and the volunteer rate went up among all race and ethnic groups.

President Obama has placed a high priority on citizen service as a strategy to meet national challenges.  With bipartisan Congressional support, the President has worked with the Corporation for National and Community Service to create more opportunities for Americans to serve, to encourage social innovation, and to focus service on tackling pressing social problems.

The Volunteering in America research is produced by the Corporation as part of its efforts to expand the reach and impact of America’s volunteers.  The research is the most comprehensive data on volunteering ever assembled, and it includes a volunteer data profile for all states, including the District of Columbia, and hundreds of cities, including data on volunteer rates, rankings, area-specific trends, and analysis.

The report is a tool used by elected officials and nonprofit leaders to develop strategies to mobilize more Americans in service to address local needs and problems. The complete report can be accessed at VolunteeringInAmerica.gov, and below are the top-line findings.

Key Findings and State/City Profiles:

• Overall 63.4 million Americans (age 16 and older) volunteered in 2009, an increase of almost 1.6 million since 2008.This is the first significant increase in the volunteer rate and the largest single year increase in the volunteer numbers since 2003.

• For the fifth year in a row, Utah was the top volunteer state with a volunteer rate of 44.2%, followed by Iowa (37.8%), Minnesota (37.5%), Nebraska (37.4%), and Alaska (37.3%). Iowa climbed from the 5^th ranked state last year to the 2^nd this year.

• Minneapolis-St. Paul once again ranked number one among large cities at 37.4%, followed by Portland, OR (37.1%), Salt Lake City, UT (35.8%), Seattle, WA (34.9%), and Oklahoma City, OK (33.9%).

• Mid-size cities, particularly those in the Midwest, have on average higher volunteer rates than large cities, and residents of mid-size cities contribute more hours to volunteering.

• Among 75 mid-sized cities, Provo, Utah, led the nation for the third year in a row with a whopping 63.6 percent volunteer rate, followed by Iowa City (50.0%), Ogden, UT (47.7%), Fort Collins, CO (40.7%) and Madison, WI (40.0%).

Key Demographic and Ethnic Findings:

• Women again volunteered at higher rates then men. Working mothers have the highest volunteer rates.

• Rates increased among African Americans, especially women, this year more than among other groups. The rate of volunteerism among African Americans climbed from 19.1% in 2008 to 20.0% in 2009, and increased by 1.6% among African American women.

Factors Influencing Volunteer Rates:

• The research found that higher rates of homeownership, lower rates of foreclosure, shorter average commute times, more robust nonprofit infrastructure, lower poverty rates, and higher education levels are all related to higher rates of volunteering.

• Factors such as the prevalence of multi-unit housing, higher poverty rates, and longer commuting times are associated with lower volunteer rates.

To make it easier for Americans to volunteer, the Corporation worked with the White House to launch United We Serve and the Serve.gov website last summer.  At Serve.gov, potential volunteers can find local opportunities simply by entering their zip codes. The site includes do-it-yourself toolkits with instructions for finding and filling local needs, and a blog featuring stories of service from people all across the country.

About the Volunteering In America Report:

The Volunteering In America report is a partnership between the Corporation for National and Community Service, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Bureau for Labor Statistics to collect volunteering data annually through the Current Population Survey’s (CPS) Supplement on Volunteering. The CPS is a monthly survey of about 60,000 households (approximately 100,000 adults), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Volunteers are defined as individuals ages 16 and over who perform unpaid volunteer activities for or through an organization. The report includes information for all 50 states, Washington, DC, and 198 cities, including 51 large cities, 75 mid-size cities, and 72 additional cities, based on Metropolitan Statistical Areas.  For more information, visit VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.

About the Corporation for National and Community Service:

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

“My Recipe for Strength” from the perspective of three nonagenarians,
as told to Pat Sicard, RSVP Volunteer Coordinator

To live long and strong, 90 year old Doris Brunelle says, “I keep going and don’t sit in a rocker in front of the television”.  Taking no medications whatsoever, 92 year old Ebba Robbins says “Laughter is the best medicine”, and 92 year old Julia Fowler says “be happy in your surroundings”.

What do these three, remarkable and independent seniors have in common besides a healthy life style, and a positive outlook? They all live in Ware, MA and attend the RSVP Osteoporosis Exercise and Wellness Program.  Led by RSVP volunteer Dawn Kresge, the exercise program, which is held at Valley View Senior Housing complex in Ware, is part of the Ware Senior Center activities.  Doris, Ebba and Julia have faithfully attended the program for 8 years.  As Dawn explained, “You have to meet these women. They are amazing.”

(Pictured left to right: Ebba Robbins, Julia Fowler, Doris Brunelle, Dawn Kresge)

At twenty, Julia moved from Newfoundland to Boston and worked as a housekeeper while raising her four children. She came to Ware to be with her daughter. Julia thinks that being a happy person and taking care of yourself is the ticket to longevity. Admitting that she is a baker and loves sweets, she takes a daily nap and eats a healthy diet including “everything except cauliflower”.

Born in rural Hardwick, MA and raising 9 children, now 48 to 72 years old, Ebba exercises daily, eats a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, admits to drinking lots of black coffee and loves meat, especially venison. Active in her church she is a also a fierce Scrabble player and is dedicated to her large and supportive family. “There is more than physical exercise to good health. There is spiritual and emotional exercise too”.

Doris, the youngster of the group, believes that eating right and working hard is the key to longevity. She raised two daughters, worked as a machine operator, and ran the family restaurant. Living in the same house for 52 years, she appreciates quiet life in a rural community. “I never smoked or drank, and I always sent cards to people for special occasions”. Doris and her baby sister Rita, who is only 86, look at least twenty years younger than their chronological age, and believe in “living a clean life, eating right, and working hard”.  Doris bounced back from a knee replacement with the help of regular exercise. “My doctor says to keep doing what I am doing”.

Three remarkable, strong, independent women who have worked hard, lived right, and have a strong sense of humor set the bar for the “My Recipe for Strength” contest. The fact that they are all over ninety years old, take little or no medication, exercise at a pace that leaves younger seniors panting, and stay more active than most people half of their age is a testament that their formula to “Age Strong! Live Long!” is working.

–Pat Sicard

Join the RSVP Children & Youth Team and make a difference in a child’s life by working with children and youth in summer and after-school programs.

• Teach a skill or subject you love
• Work with students individually on academic subjects
• Assist a teacher

Flexible scheduling and time commitment at locations throughout Hampshire and Franklin Counties.

For more information contact Pat Sicard at RSVP (the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program): (413) 584-1300 x183 or email psicard@hampshirecog.org or visit www.rsvphf.org.

A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Older Americans have lived through momentous and trying times in our history, and they have strengthened our national character. Their experience and wisdom connect us to the past and help us meet the challenges of the present. During Older Americans Month, we show our support and appreciation for these treasured individuals who have contributed so much to our Nation.

This year’s theme for Older Americans Month, “Age Strong, Live Long,” recognizes the efforts of people of all ages to promote the well-being, community involvement, and independence of senior citizens. As Americans live longer, healthier, and more productive lives, many are starting second careers and continuing to be involved in their communities. Dedicated older Americans are also answering the call to serve through the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Senior Corps.

My Administration is committed to ensuring older Americans can age strong and live long. By strengthening Medicare and Medicaid, while protecting Social Security, we help ensure all Americans can age with dignity. The recently enacted Affordable Care Act strengthens Medicare by providing free preventive care starting next year, enhancing care coordination, and gradually closing the “donut hole” gap in prescription drug coverage.

In addition, this law includes provisions to help prevent and eliminate elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Along with the Middle Class Task Force’s Caregiver Initiative, we are investing in wellness and prevention programs to help seniors remain healthy and close to their loved ones. The Administration on Aging’s network of State and local organizations provides services to older Americans that help prevent unnecessary hospitalization or institutionalization. We must also protect seniors by expanding efforts to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid through national and State efforts, as well as community-based programs that empower retirees to detect and defend against health care fraud.

Many of our Nation’s older men and women have worked tirelessly and sacrificed so their children could achieve something greater. Their passion and experience inspire us  all and we are privileged to honor and care for the generations whose legacy continues to enrich our Nation and shape our future.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2010 as Older Americans Month. I call upon citizens of all ages to honor older Americans this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA