Literacy:
Teachers and children in our schools face an increasing number of obstacles to achieving success. Providing children with the attention and support they need in order to learn allows them to develop the confidence and skills to succeed in school and in life. Research has shown that our literacy programs boost student academic performance, help schools become more successful, strengthen ties between these institutions and surrounding neighborhoods, and enhance the well being of the volunteers in the process.
Contact us today to learn how you can impact student success, by calling Connie Erickson at 612-617-7807 or emailing cerickson@voamn.org.
English Language:
One in five adults in Minnesota are functionally illiterate. On average, an illiterate adult earns 42 percent less than a high school graduate. An average of 50 people are waiting for an open English as a Second Language (ESL) class at any given time. ESL tutors change lives and empower people to become self-sufficient.
Find out how to change a life by becoming an ESL tutor by contacting Connie Erickson at 612-617-7807 or cerickson@voamn.org.
Reducing Hunger:
The number of people seeking emergency food assistance is rising. In Minnesota, 380 thousand people are food insecure, hungry or at risk of hunger and more than 1.5 million people visit a food shelf in a year. Almost 45 percent of those who benefit from food shelves are children. An estimated 1 in 10 children in Minnesota live in poverty. Two out of five seniors will fall below the poverty line at some point between the ages of 60 and 90. Of the 87 thousand Minnesota seniors that qualify for assistance through the Commodity Food Program, only 14 thousand can receive assistance because of funding limits. Even mild nutritional deprivation in children can impede cognitive development and impair their capacities over a lifetime. For older adults, the nearly 1 out of 3 that are at high risk for malnutrition face possible heart disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
RSVP can connect you with a neighborhood organization where you can be a part of the solution to reduce hunger, call us today at 612-617-7833 or email at jdobson@voamn.org.
Environment:
As Minnesotans, we pride ourselves in our abundance of lakes, prairies and woodlands. For centuries, our environment has provided local people with sources of food, recreation and beauty. Sadly, many of these natural resources are in danger. Numerous threats to the health of our environment include toxic run-offs, pesticides, non-native invasive species and litter. Many of our lakes can no longer support edible fish, let alone drinkable water. And yet there is good news – we have the power to reverse the damage!
RSVP has numerous opportunities to help restore our environmental. Find out how to be a part of the solution by calling us today at 612-617-7833 or email at jdobson@voamn.org.
AARP Money Management Program:
Inability to regularly balance a checkbook, pay bills and sort junk mail from items that need attention can sometimes jeopardize a person’s ability to live independently. Weather it is vision loss, the death of a spouse or any number of other barriers, many people are at risk of losing their ability to live independently because of their challenges in everyday money management skills.
Trained RSVP volunteers can assist low-income seniors and people with disabilities with basic money management tasks. Find out how you can help someone remain independent by contacting Gale at 612-617-7821 or gnelson@voamn.org.
Intergenerational Programs Working with Youth:
Telefriends
Help children improve their reading skills by sharing a good book over the phone. Books are provided to both student and volunteer. This is a great way to serve your community without leaving home! Contact us today to learn how you can impact student success, by contacting Connie Erickson at 612-617-7807 or cerickson@voamn.org.
Elders and Youth in Education (EYE)
The EYE program pairs older adults with middle school students where they engage in group activities that break down stereotypes, build relationships and improve our communities. EYE sessions meet in the school and are usually about one hour long. You can lead a class discussion on a topic of your interest, teach a skill, be a Pen Pal, accompany youth on outings, or work with youth on service learning projects. Find out how you can impact student success, by contacting Robin at 612-617-7849 or rhalloum@voamn.org.
Across Generations
Across Generations provides opportunities for students, age 11 to 15, and adults, age 55 and over, to work together while learning how to positively impact the environment. Participants meet once a week for one to three hours to work on a variety of environmental learning and community service projects. Find out how you can impact student success and the environment, by contacting Robin at 612-617-7849 or rhalloum@voamn.org.
One-time Volunteer Opportunities:
If you enjoy variety and flexibility, one-time events offer an opportunity to volunteer as your schedule permits, for the causes and events you choose. This is a great opportunity to get together for a good cause and meet new people. Information on one-time special event volunteer opportunities is sent out to interested people via email on a weekly basis. If you would like to be added to RSVP’s distribution list, contact us at 612-617-7833 or jdobson@voamn.org.
RSVP Member Benefits:
Personalized Assistance
RSVP staff will work with you to identify a volunteer opportunity that will meet your individual needs. We will match your skills, interests, schedule and geographic availability with a volunteer position that is right for you. We will continue to be available to provide ongoing information and support as your volunteer needs evolve.
Supplemental Insurance
As an RSVP member, you will be covered by supplemental insurance when you volunteer. In the unfortunate event that something happens to you while volunteering, or traveling to or from your volunteer position, the insurance will help cover deductibles and out of pocket expenses related to the accident.
Be Counted As Part Of A National Movement
Mature adults 55 years and older are giving thousands of hours daily to positively impact the communities they live in. Your hours will be counted with those of your peers to demonstrate to policy makers and the community the impact of senior volunteerism on a local and national level. Help send the message that mature adults are making meaningful contributions, solving problems and bringing our communities together.
Semi-Annual Newsletter
Twice yearly the RSVP newsletter will inform you about issues affecting volunteers and provide updates on how volunteers age 55 and over are impacting their communities.
Annual Recognition Event
RSVP gathers once a year to celebrate your accomplishments. These events are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow volunteers and offer RSVP staff an opportunity to honor you and the work that you do.
Travel Reimbursement
RSVP can reimburse a portion of your volunteer related out-of-pocket transportation expense.
Health Benefits Of Volunteering
· Increase in self-esteem
· Lowered blood pressure
· Protection against social isolation
· Reduction in the impact of stress
· Strengthening of the immune system
A 1999 study by the University of Michigan identified health benefits to individuals who volunteered just one hour per week. The study demonstrates that "people live longer because they volunteer, rather than people volunteer because they're healthier and hence more likely to live longer."
Information for Current Members:
Travel Reimbursement
RSVP can provide a limited amount of travel reimbursement to help defray the costs of transportation to and from a volunteer site. Reimbursement can only be provided to volunteers who are current members, for costs incurred traveling to and from a volunteer site that has a partnership with RSVP. We are not able to pay for parking.
Travel Reimbursement is calculated and paid quarterly utilizing a method that depletes the allocated funds for the quarter. It is not possible to reimburse requests received after the due date. All requests must be submitted by the 15th of the following month. For example, forms for June's volunteer activity are due not later than July 15th.
You must fill out the hours report and travel reimbursement request form in addition to any other forms your station uses. You and your station supervisor must also sign the form. Forms without signatures cannot be processed. Fill out a separate report form for each volunteer station.
If you do not want travel reimbursement, do not include mileage or bus fare on any forms you submit to your station supervisor or to RSVP.
Car
Drivers may claim up to 75 miles per month. Married couples, or others, who drive together should not both request reimbursement for the same mileage. The mileage reimbursement rate is calculated each quarter by dividing the quarter's budgeted funds by the number of eligible miles submitted for reimbursement.
Bus or Metro Mobility
For bus fare or Metro Mobility reimbursement, volunteers can claim up to $15 per month.
Link to the Mileage Reimbursement Form and Hours Form
Signing In and Out Count!
Please sign in and out at your volunteer site each time that you volunteer. Some sites use their own record-keeping systems to track hours, while others use RSVP timesheets.
· If you want to remain an active RSVP volunteer, the only way the RSVP office can tell you are active is by receiving your hours.
· Insurance is paid when accidents occur during travel time to and from the volunteer site and during the volunteer assignment. In order to prove the accident occurred when the individual was volunteering, the volunteer time must be recorded.
RSVP receives federal and state funding. Therefore, we must submit a detailed report of RSVP volunteer involvement to Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Minnesota Board on Aging. The only way our legislators and communities know the value of the program they are supporting is by the accurate information we provide.
· In most cases, the station supervisor will forward the monthly hours reports and any reimbursement requests to the RSVP office.
· Hours should be submitted to the RSVP office by the 15th day of the month after the volunteer served. For instance, June hours should be submitted by July 15th. Hours can still be accepted after the due date, reimbursement requests cannot. |