Kulick: AmeriCorps Seniors/RSVP could use hundreds of Pocono volunteers
So, you are sitting at home in that chair and wondering what to do now that you are retired? One can only watch so much television, play so many rounds of golf, have so many lunch dates with other retirees. Even though you find time to fill your days, or not, you know that you are still able to contribute so much more.
Well fret not, there is an organization that can use the help of hundreds of volunteers throughout both Monroe and Pike counties. The chance to make a difference is through AmeriCorps Seniors/RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). RSVP is a nationwide volunteer program that matches individuals aged 55 and over with volunteer opportunities in local organizations throughout the counties. In Monroe County, the organization partners with the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging and the county commissioners to better serve the local population. In Pike County, the program is run through Diakon.
According to Neal Gallagher, AmeriCorps Seniors/RSVP director of Monroe County’s RSVP operations, “Our community has more needs than we can truly fill so we need more senior volunteers.” Just what services do volunteers provide through RSVP? It’s an impressive list.
To begin with, volunteers choose service opportunities that fit their passions, goals and lifestyles. The list of volunteer opportunities includes grocery shopping and food delivery, medical transportation, minor home repairs, friendly visitors/phone calls/notes of cheer, veteran and military family programs, school programs, clerical/office help, assistance with insurance coordination and concerns, visiting those in personal care or nursing homes and presentation of programs that help educate seniors on a variety of topics.
And there’s more: assisting at local food pantries, hospitals, libraries, environmental and disaster programs, tax assistance coordinators, crime watchers, entertainers and public speakers. Perhaps you can make blankets, hats, scarves, socks or other like items for nursing homes or shelters.
In Monroe County alone, RSVP volunteers contribute time to over 80 community organizations. These volunteers often provide that one link that is needed to help an individual or organization with something that makes life much easier or secures that necessary action to allow them to survive. Among the organizations served are Salvation Army, Women’s Resources, Valor, Monroe County Habitat for Humanity, Pocono Area Transitional Housing (PATH), Pocono YMCA, Pocono Mountains United Way, Pocono Services for families and Children/Head Start, just to mention a few. All volunteers are covered by supplemental accident and liability insurance while participating in RSVP activities.
Currently RSVP volunteers are bringing back a great program for children ages 3 to 5 called SPECTACULAR. This program takes the very basics of the Spanish language over an 8-week period of lessons and expands upon those basics each week. The classes are just starting and are run by three volunteers: Emma Avci, the bilingual teacher, Nora Goodwin, RSVP education coordinator, and Marshal Beers, Spanish and German teacher. Avci says, “The ability to communicate in more than one language is increasingly becoming essential.” To learn more about the program call 570-420-3747 and say “Hola!”
For more information or to volunteer for RSVP in Monroe County, contact them at rsvp@monorecountypa.gov, visit their website at www.monorecountypa.gov/rsvp or call the office located at 411 Main St., Suite 102B in Stroudsburg at (570) 420-3747. In Pike County, contact Dawn Houghtaling, program coordinator, at houghtalingd@diakon.org, visit the website at www.diakon.org/community-services/rsvp/ or call them at their office located at 337A Park Place, Hawley at (570) 390-4540. Your chance to add to your second, third or fourth act is just a phone call away!
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Kulick: RSVP seniors help food pantries, hospitals, libraries, more
