WHY NATIONAL SENIOR CORPS ASSOCIATION (NSCA)?
Since the founding of the national associations that
represent the Foster Grandparent Program, RSVP, and
the Senior Companion Program, each has operated as a
separate entity. That may have served senior
volunteer projects well in the past. Under NSCA, a
unified organization will possess a broader
membership base for more effective advocacy.
The concept of one
organization encompassing all three Senior Corps
programs is not new. It has been discussed and
studied from time to time. Many state associations
include all three programs. This reflects a trend
that consolidates management of Senior Corps
programs wherein one director or one sponsor manages
two or three Senior Corps programs. There are
differences between the three Senior Corps programs,
but there are even greater similarities that could
be capitalized upon. Commonalities include the
following:
- all are
federally sponsored by the Corporation for
National and Community Service;
- all are linked
to the Congressional budget process;
- all provide the
organizational framework that empowers older
adults to make major contributions to their
communities and enhance their own quality of
life;
- all address
significant community needs;
- all are
nationwide;
- all promote and
value volunteerism and service.
The National Senior
Corps Association capitalizes on these unifying
elements, embracing the three programs within one
association to foster the interests of Senior Corps
programs. Each Senior Corps program has specific
issues and unique challenges that will be addressed
through program-specific committees and acted upon
from a unified front.
STRONGER TOGETHER
The National Senior
Corps Association was founded in 2007 to promote,
advocate for, market, and enhance the power of the
national Senior Corps programs. We believe that the
Foster Grandparent Program, RSVP, and the Senior
Companion Program are STRONGER TOGETHER.
THE SENIOR CORPS PROGRAMS
Senior Corps is
comprised of the Foster Grandparent Program, RSVP
and the Senior Companion Program through which
500,000 Americans age 55 and older use their skills
and experience to cost-effectively address vital
community needs.
The Foster
Grandparent Program connects people 60 and over
with children and young people with exceptional
needs in schools, hospitals, drug treatment centers,
correctional institutions, Head Start and childcare
centers. Last year, Foster Grandparents contributed
27.9 million hours helping over 263,000 children,
serving through 342 projects nationwide and
partnering with over 10,000 community organizations.
Foster Grandparents serve weekly schedules ranging
from 15-40 hours, receive an hourly stipend, and
mileage and meal reimbursements so they may
volunteer at little or no personal cost to
themselves.
RSVP offers
"one stop shopping" for all volunteers 55 and over
who want to find challenging, rewarding, and
significant service opportunities in their local
communities. In 2006, 440,000 RSVP volunteers
contributed 78.8 million hours of service through
770 organizations, working with more than 65,000
community organizations. RSVP volunteers provide
hundreds of community services, such as:
- tutoring
children in reading and math;
- building houses;
- participating in
neighborhood watch programs;
- providing
counsel to new business owners;
- offering relief
services to victims of natural disasters; and
- helping
community organizations operate more
efficiently.
The Senior
Companion Program brings together volunteers age
60 and over with older adults in their community who
have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day
living and who need extra assistance to live
independently in their own homes or communities.
They serve frail older adults, adults with
disabilities, those with terminal illnesses, and
offer respite for caregivers. In 2006, 16,000 Senior
Companions helped over 62,000 frail clients,
preventing premature costly institutionalization at
a savings of over $200 million. Senior Companions
serve weekly schedules from 15-40 hours a week,
receive an hourly stipend, and mileage and meal
reimbursements so they may volunteer at little or no
personal cost to themselves.
The National
Senior Corps Association works to ensure that
the efforts of Senior Corps volunteers will continue
meeting the needs and challenges of America’s
communities.
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