| Retired and Senior Volunteer Program |
| History The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program has been serving residents of Steuben County for over 25 years. Our mission is to inspire and coordinate the service of senior volunteers whose lives are enriched while effectively addressing needs in the community. RSVP is the premier organization engaging senior volunteers in improving and enriching the lives in our community. The
program is administered on the federal level by the: http://www.nationalservice.org/ Locally,
we are sponsored by Steuben County and
are partly funded by the: http://www.uwst.org/ Community
Chest of Wayland |
| Who can be a
member? Anyone who is 55 years of age or older can be a member of RSVP. The only other qualification is an interest in being involved in the community. Although many of the RSVP volunteers are retired, some volunteers are still working but want to share their skills and expertise with local organizations. Some volunteers like to volunteer for a short term project rather than an on-going commitment. Still others like to volunteer by providing a service in their own community (at schools, hospitals, etc.) or from their rural area home such as telephone calls or sewing and/or knitting. |
| What
do the volunteers do? RSVP staff place volunteers in many agencies throughout the community in areas such as health and nutrition, education, economic development, criminal justice/public safety, environmental issues, frail elderly programs and infant and youth programs. Some of the opportunities available in Steuben County are: Deliver meals to elderly, homebound individuals Provide entertainment or take the time to play cards or other games with nursing home residents. Become a companion to a person who is receiving mental health treatment. Volunteers become positive role models, help raise self-esteem, increase social and communication skills, and encourage independence. Sing, dance and perform for local nursing homes, schools, hospitals, etc. Help local agencies with administrative work – working on computers, filing, answering phones, etc. Transport seniors to doctor appointments, dialysis treatment. Help to put together planes and, while you are at it, earn enough hours to fly in one. Become a blood bank worker, disaster assistance volunteer, donor caller or First Aid/CPR Instructor. Become a short term volunteer assisting at special events in the community. Display acting skills and promote volunteerism as a member of the RSVP Players. |
| What are
the benefits of joining RSVP? Most RSVP volunteers agree that the most important benefits of volunteering are the personal ones. Studies show that people who volunteer have healthier, longer lives. Other benefits include working for social change, building teamwork skills, developing leadership abilities, interacting with and learning from people of other generations and cultures, and demonstrating love or appreciation for others. The most important personal benefit is the self-satisfaction you gain from helping others. The other benefits of joining RSVP include: Supplemental Insurance benefits - RSVP carries three categories of insurance to protect its volunteers traveling to and from their volunteer stations and while volunteering. More information on insurance is provided in the volunteer handbook and at a volunteer orientation conducted for new members.Mileage reimbursement – RSVP volunteers may receive assistance, if needed, to and from volunteer assignments and official project activities, including orientation and training meetings and recognition events. On-the-job related transportation costs are the responsibility of the volunteer station. Bi-monthly newsletter – As a new volunteer, you are automatically enrolled on the mailing list for the Office for Aging Second Season newsletter, an informational newsletter with articles pertaining to aging issues, local events, RSVP information, etc. Recognition Event – RSVP has an annual recognition luncheon to recognize all of our wonderful volunteers. This event is free to all volunteers who have put in hours the previous year. RSVP also hosts holiday parties at the end of the year in each of the three major areas of the county – Bath, Hornell and Corning. This is another way to thank volunteers for their time and commitment to their community. |
| Volunteer
Opportunities To see the most current listing of volunteer opportunities nearest you, click on the links below. Please contact the RSVP office closest to you for a complete list of other volunteer opportunities. Bath - (607) 664-2298 Corning - (607) 936-4662 Hornell / Wayland - (607) 324-4892 |
| Sounds
exciting! How do I start? Volunteer staff is available to help you decide the best place for you to use your skills. You may know exactly what you want to do or you may still be searching. Either way, staff is available to help. If you would like more information about becoming an RSVP volunteer or if you would like to fill out an application, please email your name, address, and phone number to : DeannaH@co.steuben.ny.us and a staff member will call you back. We have offices located in Bath, Corning, and Hornell. If you would prefer to contact us by telephone or mail, choose the office closest to you:For Eastern Steuben: RSVP Office Corning Senior Center 1 Park Lane Corning, NY 14830 ATTN: Sharon Rhyne Telephone: (607) 936-4662 For Central Steuben: RSVP Office Steuben County Office Building 3 East Pulteney Square Bath, NY 14810 ATTN: Sharon Rhyne Telephone: (607) 664-2298 For Western Steuben: RSVP Office Hornell Senior Center Broadway Mall Hornell, NY 14843 ATTN: Sharon Rhyne Telephone: (607) 324-4892 Or, if you live outside of the areas mentioned, call Helpline at 1-800-346-2211 and tell them you are interested in becoming an RSVP volunteer. A staff member will return your call. A service provided by:
The Institute for Human Services, Inc. |
| Volunteer
Spotlight - July 2007 RSVP Volunteers Assist the New Hammondsport Library The Steuben County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is recognizing the outstanding volunteer efforts of Martha Rouin, Carl Lundy, and Geraldine Simmons of the Hammondsport area. Without these talented, dedicated volunteers, the Fred and Harriet Taylor Memorial Library would not have made the smooth transition from their former location to their newly completed building. The library, which had their official opening on Saturday, June 16th, operates with 5 part-time staff and 14 volunteers. Three of those volunteers, as listed above, are RSVP volunteers who have provided services at the library for many years. Geraldine Simmons has assisted at the circulation desk, has checked books in and out, has shelved books, and has answered questions for patrons for many years. She is currently taking a break from volunteering, but Rachel Brown, Director of the Library, describes her as a vital long-term volunteer. "I just hope I am like her as I age." Ms. Brown added. Carl Lundy serves as the treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the library. Besides serving in this capacity for many years, Carl designed and created the beautiful stained glass panels that hang in the library over the circulation desk. Martha Rouin has also served the library for years. She also volunteers at the Curtiss Museum, as an Ombudsman with Steuben County Office for Aging, at St. Gabriel's as a lector, and in her favorite capacity, as a member of Finger Lakes Singers. Martha says she enjoys the people she volunteers with and she likes the routine of her various volunteer commitments during the week. Martha also noted that baby boomers will have to come forward to volunteer as many in her generation are aging out. The Fred and Harriett Memorial Library began the capital fund drive in August of 2005 and ended in the spring of 2007. Construction took approximately 1 1/2 years. There are three meeting rooms that can be booked at no charge through the library. A small meeting room can accommodate 6-8 people, the literacy room which is ideal for tutoring can accommodate 12-16 people, and the community room, with an attached catering kitchen, can serve 75 people. The library has a wireless network so anyone can use his or her own laptop to access the Internet or e-mail within the building. There is an adult reading area with a fireplace, a children's room complete with a stage for storytelling, and a local history room with an extensive collection of information about Hammondsport and Keuka Lake. Outside, there is a gazebo in a park-like setting, and a reading terrace that can be enjoyed by patrons. And this amazing new building still relies on the efforts of RSVP volunteers to be able to serve the community and provide library services. RSVP is always looking for individuals age 55 and older that would be willing to give a little time to support their communities. To find out more about the many volunteer opportunities available in Western Steuben, please call the Hornell office at 324-4892. In Eastern Steuben, call 936-4662 or in Central Steuben call 776-7813. |
| Services GROUP TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES - nothing at this time CELL PHONE PROGRAM (TRIAD) REASSURE (Telephone Reassurance) |
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