Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) – Aug. 2016

Adams/E. Arapahoe RSVP finds volunteer spots for those 55 and up in Adams County, and Arapahoe County east of I-25. Sponsored by: Corp. for National and Community Service and The Senior Hub, Inc. Contact Tom Rapp 303-955-6609 or trapp@seniorhub.org., about these and other opportunities.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Adams and Broomfield Counties is a non-profit that works to make sure every child who cannot live safely at home has a caring, compassionate volunteer who will help fight for their right to be safe, ensure they are treated with dignity, and assure their safe passage from foster care. “Trained Volunteer Advocates are a vital link to ensuring that our most severely abused and neglected children have a voice in court,” said Judge Patrick Murphy of the 17th Judicial District. Yearly in Adams and Broomfield Counties, over 1,000 children who’ve been physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected, desperately need a caring, committed volunteer to speak for their best interests. There are over 220 CASA volunteers, but more advocates for children are needed. CASA conducts volunteer training classes 6 times/year. Contact RSVP for information.

Help in Adams County schools in either our general elementary tutoring program, or in our Schools Where All Thrive Tutor/Mentor Program (SWAT) working with 2nd and 3rd grade students behind in reading. We’ll need many volunteers for additional schools and to replace volunteers who can’t continue this Fall. If you love younger kids and have 2 hours a week to donate come join us. We’ll have several SWAT training sessions this Fall, so call Ron Ausmus at 303.993.3062 or rausmus@seniorhub.org to find out about SWAT. To learn about our general elementary program contact Tom.

Military Veterans Health and Help Squads: This program is for military vets and/or their spouses who are 55 or older. Squads visit by phone or meet to help with activities, share meals or attend events. Some help at the Colorado Veterans Home. Male, female and couples squads are open. Tell your vet friends so they can join a squad with you. It’s great fun, call Tom for information.

Community Garden/Food Bank Project: We have over 20 gardens in Brighton, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton, Westminster and southwest Adams County. Many gardens need help with weeding and maintaining the gardens to ensure a good harvest for the gardeners and local food banks supplying produce for the needy (7.1 tons was donated in 2015). Contact Tom.

Senior Peer Counseling and Companionship Calling Programs: We’ve launched two new programs to provide senior peer counselors through the Community Reach Center and companionship callers in Senior Hub’s In-Home Care Department. The counseling program will train senior peer counselors to assist senior clients of Community Reach Center who don’t require the services of a trained clinician. Similarly, the companionship calling program will provide an additional contact for clients of Senior Hub’s In-Home Care program beyond that provided by in-home care workers. Calling can be done from home and won’t require in-person visiting. Call RSVP for information about the two programs.

Other:

• RSVP Disaster Prep Team needs places to present on being prepared for disasters. They also need speakers.
• Meals on Wheels (MOW): Senior Hub (MOW), Aurora MOW and Brighton MOW need drivers.
• Senior Hub Adult Day service in Northglenn needs someone to pick up meals where they’re cooked and bring them to ADS. Help is needed at meals and with daily activities.
• Recycling events.
• Food bank help.
• Congregate meal servers.
• Serving in hospitals or senior centers.
• Serving on boards/committees.
• Short-term opportunities.
• Yarn Needed: 4-ply, non-wool yarn for our volunteers who make lap robes for nursing homes, homeless shelters, and military veterans. Call Tom.