For 50 years, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has been offering personalized placement, matching volunteers age 55+ with community service opportunities across Dane County. RSVP is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, part of the national AmeriCorps Seniors organization. Our funding is a combination of federal, state, city and county support as well as private grants and donations from local businesses and individuals. Our major funders include: Corporation for National ... Read More
For 50 years, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has been offering personalized placement, matching volunteers age 55+ with community service opportunities across Dane County. RSVP is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, part of the national AmeriCorps Seniors organization. Our funding is a combination of federal, state, city and county support as well as private grants and donations from local businesses and individuals. Our major funders include: Corporation for National and Community Service, Dane County Department of Human Services, City of Madison, and Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
In 1969, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) was created as a national volunteer program under the Administration on Aging. Eleven programs were launched in 1971, and they became part of the National Volunteer Agency, ACTION (now the Corporation for National and Community Service—AmeriCorps Seniors programs.)
In 1972 we became the first RSVP program in Wisconsin, and then in 2000 added a Foster Grandparent Program (FGP). Today, 170,000 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in RSVP, FGP, and Senior Companion programs serve nationwide. With over 1,000 volunteers, RSVP of Dane County is one of the largest AmeriCorps Seniors programs in the United States.
There are eight primary volunteer programs through RSVP of Dane County:
Community Connections: Our largest program where volunteers get to learn about opportunities at dozens of local nonprofit and government organizations. They personally select the volunteer work that us right for them, everything from maintaining prairies to visiting hospice patients.
Driver Services Program: Volunteers in this program drive seniors to medical appointments or bring them home-delivered meals. This program provides transportation services that help keep seniors independent in their homes.
Vets Helping Vets: RSVP’s Vets Helping Vets program matches Veterans in need with drivers who are fellow Vets—and both parties benefit.
Intergenerational Program: RSVP of Dane County has many opportunities that involve working with children of all ages. Volunteers who enjoy children find great purpose in this program, as tutors or classroom aids in schools or as pen pals/Computer Buddies.
Foster Grandparent Program: Volunteers work with children in classrooms and nurture relationships through this more time-intensive program.
Group Projects & Homeworkers Program: Volunteers in this program handcraft items of warmth, comfort and safety (like quilts, shawls, fidget/activity quilts, mittens, and more) to donate to nonprofit organizations to help people of all ages throughout Dane County.
Triad Program: Triad brings together older adults, law enforcement and the community to promote safety, healthy living and to reduce the fear of crime.
Bus Buddies Program: RSVP’s Bus Buddy Program pairs seasoned bus riders with learners and provides one on one instruction to help seniors understand and thrive on the Madison Metro bus system, opening up their worlds and sense of independence. This program also offers group tours that include instructions on how to use the bus and a visit to a local attraction.
RSVP believes that volunteering brings many benefits—meeting new friends, staying active and healthy, and offers the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference.
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