The Chautauqua County RSVP program has received a $75,000 grant to support a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout the Chautauqua County community.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) program is hosted and sponsored by Lutheran Jamestown.

“We care about supporting the incredible work of the RSVP volunteers and their dedication to serving the Chautauqua community,” said Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning. “We were proud to secure additional funding for this program, which will support critical activities such as food pantry programs; educational services; financial literacy initiatives, and other local economic development programs. We will continue to push for fair access to federal funding for our local charities and volunteer programs like Chautauqua County RSVP.”

“The Chautauqua County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a community outreach of Lutheran Social Services, is pleased to have been awarded a new thre-year AmeriCorps Seniors grant,” said Kevin Saff, Chautauqua County RSVP Project Director. “Chautauqua County RSVP utilizes over 400 volunteers, aged 55 and older, to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering in over 65 public agencies, secular or faith-based private non-profit organizations, or proprietary health care organizations throughout Chautauqua County.”

Each year, AmeriCorps Seniors engages 195,000 Americans 55 and older through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP programs, leveraging their passion and knowledge to address some of our country’s most pressing issues. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve their communities through initiatives as diverse as combatting food insecurity, helping students transition to online schooling, connecting veterans to jobs and benefits, and responding to the new challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the challenges of 2020, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers persisted, responding creatively to the challenges presented by COVID-19, while adapting their service models to better serve their communities while staying safe.