LT. Governer Prettner Solon Launches New Initive for Senior Volunteers
To kick off Older Americans Month, Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon announced the launch of SHARE Minnesota, an expansion of the Senior LinkAge Line® One Stop Shop for Minnesota Seniors.
SHARE Minnesota is a virtual network of agencies that can help in finding volunteer opportunities for seniors who want to volunteer but may not know where to go.
By calling the Senior LinkAge Line®, seniors will be screened on their interests, have a conversation about what they want to do and will then be connected to the volunteer network of their choice. These include the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparents programs.
Seniors interested in volunteering can call the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433 or visit MinnesotaHelp.info. Older Americans Month celebrates senior citizens throughout the nation. Minnesota seniors are encouraged to share their time, ideas and skills by becoming a volunteer.
“Minnesota seniors are living longer, getting more from their lives and are giving more to their communities,” said Prettner Solon. “It is important that we tap into the valuable resource and expertise of older Minnesotans, and SHARE Minnesota can help.”
Prettner Solon made the announcement a press conference hosted by Volunteers of America-Minnesota's RSVP and Experience Corps at Frost Lake Elementary School in St. Paul. Local senior volunteers were on hand to demonstrate tutoring students and representatives from Minnesota volunteer programs explained how they provide custom placement services to potential volunteers who call the Senior LinkAge Line®. (Pictured are Paula Hart, President and CEO of Volunteers of America-Minnesota and Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon)