Funding from AmeriCorps Seniors for RSVP of Plymouth County
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County, recently announced that they received a three-year grant from AmeriCorps Seniors to support 300 RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) volunteers. The grant will expand OCES’ volunteer presence in Plymouth County, where OCES has been providing service opportunities for older adults as an RSVP project since April 1, 2015.
With this new funding, OCES will continue to leverage the skills and experiences of adults age 55 and older in Plymouth County to support their RSVP Service Partner programs and services which strengthen communities and the people that live in the communities. These AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will address community needs through volunteer activities such as delivering Meals on Wheels, tutoring and reading to children, recording material for the blind, helping with financial literacy, transportation to medical appointments and other volunteer opportunities to address community identified needs.
“Volunteers are essential to our organization. We embrace this exciting development and look forward to working with businesses and individuals throughout greater Plymouth County to expand opportunities and promote volunteerism,” stated Nicole Long, Chief Executive Officer of OCES.
Focused on Healthy Futures
Since 2015, the RSVP of Plymouth County has continued to support the AmeriCorps goal of supporting the most vulnerable populations. As the sponsor of the RSVP of Plymouth County, OCES pays particular attention to the focus areas identified by AmeriCorps and the areas in which OCES has the most impact on community needs. The primary focus area of this project is Healthy Futures, with the overall goals of increased socialization/quality of life, food security, financial literacy, student reading skills, transportation options, and volunteerism.
About AmeriCorps Seniors
Throughout the challenges of 2020 and 2021, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers persisted, supporting communities as they respond and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Today, AmeriCorps Seniors engage approximately 195,000 older adults at 29,800 service locations across the United States and territories through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP programs. Established in 1971, RSVP involves Americans age 55 and older in needed services, responding to our nation’s most pressing challenges.
About OCES
Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org
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