Description
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
COUNTIES: Fayette and Jessamine counties
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
Volunteers in the Retired Senior Volunteer
Program meet critical needs in the
community by serving with the Council and
its partnering agencies. Volunteers serve a
minimum of four hours per week. Volunteers
also received a mileage reimbursement for
travel to the volunteer station.
You've gained a lifetime of experience. Now is the time to put your skills and talents to good use by volunteering through RSVP.
RSVP is America's largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over. Join RSVP and you join nearly 500,000 volunteers across the country who are tackling tough issues in their communities.
RSVP offers a full range of volunteer opportunities RSVP volunteers choose how and where they want to serve--from a few hours to more than 40 hours a week. RSVP volunteers provide hundreds of community services, such as:
- Tutoring children in reading and math;
- Building houses;
- Helping get children immunized;
- Modeling parenting skills to teen parents;
- Participating in neighborhood watch programs;
- Planting community gardens;
- Providing counsel to new business owners;
- Offering relief services to victims of natural disasters; and
- Helping community organizations operate more efficiently.
With RSVP, you'll receive pre-service orientation, training from the organization where you serve, and supplemental insurance while on duty.
And remember: When you volunteer, you're not just helping others--you're helping yourself. Volunteering leads to new discoveries and new friends. Plus, studies show that volunteering helps you live longer and promotes a positive outlook on life.
RSVP provides service opportunities for those who want to make a difference in their communities while maintaining the flexibility to decide who and how frequently they serve.
So get involved, and join RSVP today!
Community Action Council (the Council)
Background
The first community action agencies were established in 1964 to fight poverty as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. The chief values of this movement-to serve the best interests of the low income population and improve the quality of life in the community-were true then, are true now, and will remain true as long as there is poverty.
Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, a private non-profit organization, was organized by five local community activists in 1965. The Council was originally chartered only for Fayette County. In 1974, Nicholas County was added and later, Bourbon and Harrison joined the organization's service area. Part of a network of more than 1,000 agencies, Community Action Council addresses both urban and rural needs in the counties that it serves.
Board of Directors
From the beginning, citizen participation has been an essential element and goal of community action. At Community Action Council, we listen to low income people and take our lead from them to find solutions to poverty in our community. The foundation of the Council's volunteer board of directors is an equal number of low income people serving with public officials and representatives from the private sector such as civic and business leaders. Together these diverse segments of the community provide a range of perspectives to meet unique local needs.
Philosophy
Community Action Council's philosophy and approach to poverty in its communities are described in its Vision Statement:
As advocates, we listen, understand, and take our lead from the low-income population; we assist the low-income population in advocating for themselves; and we advocate for the low-income population at all levels of public policy including economic, legislative, government and business.
As a community action agency, we provide community and neighborhood-based services that are integrated, comprehensive, developmental, and empowering for individuals, families and communities. We utilize technology to enhance the quality and efficiency of our services and service delivery, holding ourselves accountable for measurable results.
As an organization that believes the low-income population must be active participants in the ultimate solutions to poverty, Community Action Council will develop civic capital and promote community involvement within the low-income community by identifying and capitalizing on the assets, leadership and talents present within the community.
