Senior Corps

The National Senior Service Corps is a nationwide network of programs of The Corporation for National and Community Service.

The Senior Citizens Council sponsors all three Senior Corps programs, so you’ll find a perfect home as an RSVP volunteer, a Foster Grandparent, or a Senior Companion. To learn more about the Senior Corps, please select a program below. For additional information about Senior Corps in the USA, please visit their website at http://www.seniorcorps.gov.

• RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program)
• Foster Grandparents
• Senior Companions
• Income Eligibility
• Application / Join

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RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program)

RSVP is one of the largest volunteer programs in the nation. It serves as a “volunteer clearinghouse,” pairing talented volunteers age 55 and older with non-profit, health-care, government, and faith-based organizations that need their skills and experience.

RSVP membership is free. The choices are yours. You can design your own job using your existing skills, or try something entirely new. Share, learn, have fun, and get your foot into new doors.

RSVP members receive expense and travel reimbursement, excess medical, liability, and life insurance, plus a variety of benefits from organizations in which they volunteer.

If you love:	Then you’ll enjoy these RSVP opportunities in the CSRA:
Nature, Parks	Staffing the Nature Center at Mistletoe State Park; Leading programs at or assisting with special events at Mistletoe or Elijah Clark State Parks; Sorting fish at McDuffie Warm Water Fish Hatchery; Trail guiding or staffing the visitor's center at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park; Assisting with field trips at Spirit Creek Educational Forest; Creating displays or leading groups at Reed Creek Park; Testing water or providing ground support for river trips at Savannah Riverkeeper, Inc.
Gardening	Digging the Vintage Colonial Garden at Elijah Clark State Park; Preparing a booklet on uses of herbs in colonial days
Sewing	Creating period costumes for volunteers giving living history demonstrations
The Arts	Ushering at the Augusta Symphony, Imperial Theatre, Choral Society or Fourth of July Concert at St. Paul’s; Selling t-shirts or beer at Arts in the Heart of Augusta
History	Serving as museum docents at Historic Augusta’s Lamar and Woodrow Wilson Houses or the Augusta Museum of History; Presenting living history demonstrations at the 1780 Log Cabin Museum at Elijah Clark State Park or the 1921 Grist Mill Museum at Hamburg State Park
Animals	Socializing with pets at the CSRA Humane Society; Taking pets to hospitals and nursing homes through Pet Therapy, Inc.
Kids & Learning	Operating display at Fort Discover; Mentoring or tutoring in Richmond and Columbia County Schools
Community Development	Preparing visitors' packets at the Augusta Convention & Visitors' Bureau; Assisting the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce; Advising new businesses trhough SCORE.
Helping Persons in Need	Assembling blood collection bags for Shepeard Community Blood Center; Driving a van at Interfaith Hospitality Network; Counseling at University Hospital Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault Services; Assisting in area hospitals; Helping non-profit with telethons and fundraising; Leading classes at senior center; Assisting victims through the American Red Cross; Testing emergency preparedness systems with the Medical Reserve Corps; Staffing the Making Ends Meet Thrift Store; Visiting nursing homes for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Want to learn more about the Senior Corps?
Contact Marilyn Grau, Project Director
MGrau@SeniorCitizensCouncil.org
(706) 868-0120

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FGP (Foster Grandparent Program)

The Foster Grandparent Program pairs volunteers age 60 and older with children who have special needs.

Foster Grandparents work 20 hours weekly, in Head Start, public schools, hospitals, shelters, and after-school programs.

Individuals who qualify based on income receive an hourly stipend and other benefits.

Through The Senior Citizens Council, approximately 85 Foster Grandparents serve children in Richmond, Columbia, Burke, Jefferson, and McDuffie Counties. They may work as tutors, go on field trips with children, read, rock, or cuddle sick or homeless children, or encourage children in therapy activities. Always, they are attentive listeners and good role models.

Direct benefits for Foster Grandparents and Senior Companion who meet income guidelines include a $2.65 hourly stipend; travel reimbursement; paid training, holidays, vacation, and medical leave; a physical exam each year; excess accident, liability, and life insurance while volunteering; and a smock to be worn in service. Many Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions receive a free meal each workday.

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SCP (Senior Companion Program)

Through the Senior Companion Program, volunteers age 60 and older lend a hand to adults who are frail or disabled.

Senior Companions work 20 hours weekly in private homes or in hospitals, where they are assigned to help their clients live as independently as possible.

Individuals who qualify based on income receive an hourly stipend and other benefits.

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Income Eligibility

2009 Income Eligibility: In order to receive an hourly stipend, volunteers in the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs must have total income, from all sources, of not more than $13,540 per year. A family of two may qualify if income is no more than $18,215. Stipends and reimbursements received from these programs will not affect any other benefits a person may receive, including subsidized rent or food stamps.

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Ready to Join?

If you're interested in joining one of the programs available through the Senior Corps, take the first step by filling out an application. Please click here to print out an application. Please fill out the application and bring it by our office anytime during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, or you may mail it to the address below:

218 Oak Street North, Suite L
Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 868-0120

If you have any questions about the Senior Corps, please contact us or visit our FAQ's.